Biopolymers in vivo articles from across Nature Portfolio

I-Motifs (iM) are non-canonical DNA structures potentially forming in the accessible, single stranded, cytosine-rich genomic region, but the specific contributions of several factors involved in their formation are unknown. Using in-cell NMR, the authors examined DNA i-motif formation in human cells at body temperature, suggesting i-M occur in a small portion (<1%) of genomic sites predisposed to its formation.

The biomolecular principles underlying the formation of multiphasic condensates have been difficult to elucidate owing to a paucity of tools, especially within living cells. In this work synthetic orthogonal protein scaffolds alongside molecular simulations are used to highlight how the oligomerization of disordered proteins can asymmetrically drive miscibility–immiscibility transitions.

Prion-like domains are intrinsically disordered regions found in many RNA- and DNA-binding proteins. Here, the authors show that these domains can drive sequence-specific co-phase separation of chromatin remodeling complex with FET oncofusion proteins.

Cells spatially organize biochemical reactions within membrane-bound and membraneless compartments. The extent to which intrinsically disordered proteins themselves can form discrete compartments or condensed phases is poorly understood. Now a pair of model IDRs that display orthogonality in condensation and the chain features governing selective assembly have been identified.

Cytoplasmic flows in the fruit fly oocyte can reorganize cellular components. These structured vortical flows arise through self-organizing dynamics of microtubules, molecular motors and cytoplasm.

Extracellular matrix stiffness induces differential tension within integrinbased adhesions but it is not known if this is solely from myosin activity. Here, it is shown that 3T3 fibroblasts still transmit stiffness-dependent traction even with the absence of myosin contractility.

Magnetic tweezer measurements have revealed the forces associated with a star-shaped structure responsible for moving the sperm nucleus to the centre of the egg cell following fertilization.

Spider webs are designed to cope with stress and disruption, favouring repair over rebuilding.