Chains of poly(ADP-ribose), or PAR, are rapidly synthesized at DNA break sites and contribute to the DNA damage response, likely by recruiting repair factors. Now Altmeyer, Lukas and coworkers add another layer of complexity: they propose that PAR acts as a molecular seed to assemble intrinsically disordered proteins into dynamic, membrane-free compartments at DNA damage sites (Nat. Commun. 10.1038/ncomms9088, published 19 August 2015).

The formation of such subcellular structures, for example the nucleolus or stress granules, was previously shown to involve specific RNA molecules and proteins containing low-complexity domains (LCDs), regions composed of repetitive motifs that are often intrinsically disordered. Assembly of these membrane-free compartments is akin to the formation of liquid droplets in an oil-water mixture—i.e., phase separation by liquid demixing.

An analysis of previous PAR-protein association data revealed an enrichment in proteins featuring LCDs. Given its chemical similarity to RNA, PAR could potentially have a similar effect in triggering phase separation. The authors test this hypothesis, focusing on three LCD-containing, PAR-associated proteins: FUS/TLS (fused in sarcoma/translocated in sarcoma), EWS (Ewing sarcoma) and TAF15 (TATA box-binding protein associated factor); these are collectively referred to as the FET proteins.

Using GFP fusions and inflicting DNA damage with laser microirradiation, the authors find that the FET proteins assemble at DNA damage sites in a PAR-dependent manner. The FET proteins have 2 types of LCDs, whose functions are dissected: the RGG-repeat module is recruited to PAR via electrostatic interactions, whereas the prion-like SYQG-rich module mediates phase separation and form assemblies at high concentrations. These structures are formed at DNA damage sites and could be directly observed in bright-field microscopy as zones showing distinct light diffraction properties (see right panel, black arrows; left panel shows fluorescence microscopy for GFP-EWS, with white arrows marking orientation of the laser). The assemblies include other LCD-containing proteins, but downstream DNA damage factors had differential access to the PAR-seeded compartments: while MDC1 could accumulate together with the FET proteins, 53BP1 was excluded.

These observations lead to a model whereby PAR, a polymer lacking sequence information, allows cells to compartmentalize specific proteins within the nucleus. By changing the physicochemical properties of the environment around chromosomal lesions, PAR-seeded transient microorganelles orchestrate, both temporally and spatially, the molecular events that engender DNA damage response and repair.