Neural progenitors transit through multiple competence states that restrict production of each neural cell type. In Drosophila neuroblasts, a timed genome reorganization relocates the cell fate gene, hunchback, to the nuclear periphery, terminating competence to produce early-born neurons. Distal antenna (Dan), a pipsqueak (Psq) superfamily protein, is transiently downregulated at mid-embryogenesis, which is required for this relocation. Here we find that Dan is a highly intrinsically disordered protein, and when its Psq DNA-binding domain is increasingly disrupted, Dan coalesces into steadily larger, interconnected hubs of rapid protein exchange. Consistent with these phase-separation properties, Dan has a predicted LARKS domain, a structural motif that forms reversible interactions associated with phase-separation. In the embryo, loss of either the Psq motif or the LARKS domain abrogates Dan's ability to maintain neuroblast early competence upon misexpression, suggesting that Dan requires both DNA-binding and phase-separation to regulate neuroblast competence. Finally, we found that Dan strongly interacts with proteins of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), and Elys, a core NPC scaffold protein known to regulate genome architecture, binds thehbintron and is required for competence termination. Together, the results support a model for how Dan's phase-separation properties can mediate dynamic restructuring by balancing genome-binding, self-association, and interaction among nuclear architecture regulators.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.