RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 1,6-hexanediol rapidly immobilizes and condenses chromatin in living human cells
JF Life Science Alliance
JO Life Sci. Alliance
FD Life Science Alliance LLC
SP e202001005
DO 10.26508/lsa.202001005
VO 4
IS 4
A1 Yuji Itoh
A1 Shiori Iida
A1 Sachiko Tamura
A1 Ryosuke Nagashima
A1 Kentaro Shiraki
A1 Tatsuhiko Goto
A1 Kayo Hibino
A1 Satoru Ide
A1 Kazuhiro Maeshima
YR 2021
UL https://www.life-science-alliance.org/content/4/4/e202001005.abstract
AB Liquid droplets formed inside the cell by liquid–liquid phase separation maintain membrane-less condensates/bodies (or compartments). These droplets are important for concentrating certain molecules and facilitating spatiotemporal regulation of cellular functions. 1,6-hexanediol (1,6-HD), an aliphatic alcohol, inhibits weak hydrophobic protein–protein/protein-RNA interactions required for the droplet formation (droplet melting activity) and is used here to elucidate the formation process of cytoplasmic/nuclear condensates/bodies. However, the effect of 1,6-HD on chromatin in living cells remains unclear. We found that 1,6-HD drastically suppresses chromatin motion and hyper-condenses chromatin in human cells by using live-cell single-nucleosome imaging, which detects changes in the state of chromatin. These effects were enhanced in a dose-dependent manner. Chromatin was “frozen” by 5%, or higher, concentrations of 1,6-HD. 1,6-HD greatly facilitated cation-dependent chromatin condensation in vitro. This 1,6-HD action is distinct from its melting activity of liquid droplets. Alcohols, such as 1,6-HD, appear to remove water molecules around chromatin and locally condense chromatin. Therefore, liquid droplet results obtained using 1,6-HD should be carefully interpreted or reconsidered when these droplets are associated with chromatin.