Won‐Ki Cho

Models of gene control have emerged from genetic and biochemical studies, with limited consideration of the spatial organization and dynamics of key components in living cells. We used live-cell superresolution and light-sheet imaging to study the organization and dynamics of the Mediator coactivator and RNA polymerase II (Pol II) directly. Mediator and Pol II each form small transient and large stable clusters in living embryonic stem cells. Mediator and Pol II are colocalized in the stable clu

Protein clustering is a hallmark of genome regulation in mammalian cells. However, the dynamic molecular processes involved make it difficult to correlate clustering with functional consequences in vivo. We developed a live-cell super-resolution approach to uncover the correlation between mRNA synthesis and the dynamics of RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) clusters at a gene locus. For endogenous β-actin genes in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, we observe that short-lived (~8 s) Pol II clusters correlate

CTCF is crucial to the organization of mammalian genomes into loop structures. According to recent studies, the transcription apparatus is compartmentalized and concentrated at super-enhancers to form phase-separated condensates and drive the expression of cell-identity genes. However, it remains unclear whether and how transcriptional condensates are coupled to higher-order chromatin organization. Here, we show that CTCF is essential for RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated chromatin interaction

Live cell imaging of mammalian RNA polymerase II (Pol II) has previously relied on random insertions of exogenous, mutant Pol II coupled with the degradation of endogenous Pol II using a toxin, α-amanitin. Therefore, it has been unclear whether over-expression of labeled Pol II under an exogenous promoter may have played a role in reported Pol II dynamics in vivo. Here we label the endogenous Pol II in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system. Using single

Eukaryotic transcription, a fundamental process that governs cell-specific gene expression, has long been the subject of extensive investigations in the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, and structural biology. Recent advances in microscopy techniques have led to a fascinating concept known as "transcriptional condensates." These dynamic assemblies are the result of a phenomenon called liquid‒liquid phase separation, which is driven by multivalent interactions between the constituent pr

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) frequently accompany macrocephaly, which often involves hydrocephalic enlargement of brain ventricles. Katnal2 is a microtubule-regulatory protein strongly linked to ASD, but it remains unclear whether Katnal2 knockout (KO) in mice leads to microtubule- and ASD-related molecular, synaptic, brain, and behavioral phenotypes. We found that Katnal2-KO mice display ASD-like social communication deficits and age-dependent progressive ventricular enlargements. The latter

Chromatin has highly organized structures in the nucleus, and these higher-order structures are proposed to regulate gene activities and cellular processes. Sequencing-based techniques, such as Hi-C, and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) have revealed a spatial segregation of active and inactive compartments of chromatin, as well as the non-random positioning of chromosomes in the nucleus, respectively. However, regardless of their efficiency in capturing target genomic sites, these techn

Summary Paragraph Inside the nucleus, there are special compartments with characterized functions, some of which are involved in gene expression 1 . These compartments include transcriptional condensates and nuclear speckles, which contain factors required for transcription and splicing, respectively. While the characteristics of these intranuclear compartments were extensively investigated, spatial relationship between them is yet unclear. Meanwhile, RNA-protein structural network named the nuc

Recent studies highlight the critical role of nuclear genome organization in regulating gene expression. Dynamic changes in the hierarchical structure of chromatin modulate transcription by influencing the recruitment of transcription factors and altering the epigenetic landscape. Among these regulatory mechanisms, enhancer-promoter (E-P) interactions are of particular importance. Enhancers physically interact with the promoters of target genes, a process mediated by various coactivators, which

Abstract Sliding DNA clamps are loaded at a ss/dsDNA junction by a clamp loader that depends on ATP binding for clamp opening. Sequential ATP hydrolysis results in closure of the clamp so that it completely encircles and diffuses on dsDNA. We followed events during loading of an E. coli β clamp in real time by using single‐molecule FRET (smFRET). Three successive FRET states were retained for 0.3 s, 0.7 s, and 9 min: Hydrolysis of the first ATP molecule by the γ clamp loader resulted in closure

Live cell imaging of mammalian RNA polymerase II (Pol II) has previously relied on random insertions of exogenous, mutant Pol II coupled with the degradation of endogenous Pol II using a toxin, α-amanitin. Therefore, it has been unclear whether over-expression of labeled Pol II under an exogenous promoter may have played a role in reported Pol II dynamics in vivo. Here we label the endogenous Pol II in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system. Using single

Abstract Inside the nucleus, there are special compartments with characterized functions, some of which are involved in gene expression1. These compartments include transcriptional condensates and nuclear speckles, which contain factors required for transcription and splicing, respectively. While the characteristics of these intranuclear compartments were extensively investigated, spatial relationship between them is yet unclear. Meanwhile, RNA-protein structural network named the nuclear matrix