In eukaryotic cells, protein and RNA factors involved in genome activities like transcription, RNA processing, DNA replication, and repair accumulate in self-organizing membraneless chromatin subcompartments. These structures contribute to efficiently conduct chromatin-mediated reactions and to establish specific cellular programs. However, the underlying mechanisms for their formation are only partly understood. Recent studies invoke liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of proteins and RNAs in the establishment of chromatin activity patterns. At the same time, the folding of chromatin in the nucleus can drive genome partitioning into spatially distinct domains. Here, the interplay between chromatin organization, chromatin binding, and LLPS is discussed by comparing and contrasting three prototypical chromatin subcompartments: the nucleolus, clusters of active RNA polymerase II, and pericentric heterochromatin domains. It is discussed how the different ways of chromatin compartmentalization are linked to transcription regulation, the targeting of soluble factors to certain parts of the genome, and to disease-causing genetic aberrations.

中文翻译：

---

染色质中的液-液相分离


在真核细胞中，参与转录、RNA 加工、DNA 复制和修复等基因组活动的蛋白质和 RNA 因子在自组织无膜染色质亚区室中积累。这些结构有助于有效地进行染色质介导的反应并建立特定的细胞程序。然而，它们形成的基本机制仅部分被了解。最近的研究利用蛋白质和 RNA 的液-液相分离 (LLPS) 来建立染色质活性模式。同时，细胞核中染色质的折叠可以驱动基因组划分成空间上不同的域。在这里，通过比较和对比三个典型的染色质亚区室（核仁、活性 RNA 聚合酶 II 簇和中心周异染色质结构域），讨论了染色质组织、染色质结合和 LLPS 之间的相互作用。讨论了染色质区室化的不同方式如何与转录调控、可溶性因子靶向基因组的某些部分以及导致疾病的遗传畸变相关。