Open AccessERK signaling dissolves ERF repression condensates in living embryos
Author(s) -
Claire J. Weaver,
Aleena L. Patel,
Stanislav Y. Shvartsman,
Michael Levine,
Nicholas Treen
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2119187119
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , psychological repression , mapk/erk pathway , interphase , biology , transcription factor , signal transduction , nuclear transport , retrograde signaling , cell nucleus , cytoplasm , genetics , gene expression , gene
Significance Transcriptional repression is essential for correct gene expression, and failure to repress genes appropriately is associated with many diseases. Recently, evidence is accumulating that phase separation is an important component of transcriptional repression. We show that the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signal responsive repressor, Ets-2 repressive factor (ERF) is capable of forming condensates and that phosphorylation of ERF causes these condensates to dissolve. This provides a mechanism for how signal-dependent derepression can occur, and similar processes are likely to occur in other signaling pathways. Additionally, we document the dynamic dissolution and reformation of condensates during a single interphase in coordination with the export/import of ERF. This demonstrates an example of how nuclear condensates can function.