ERK signaling dissolves ERF repression condensates in living embryos

Abstract

Significance Transcriptional repression is essential for correct gene expression, and failure to repress genes appropriately is associated with many diseases. Recently, evidence is accumulating that phase separation is an important component of transcriptional repression. We show that the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signal responsive repressor, Ets-2 repressive factor (ERF) is capable of forming condensates and that phosphorylation of ERF causes these condensates to dissolve. This provides a mechanism for how signal-dependent derepression can occur, and similar processes are likely to occur in other signaling pathways. Additionally, we document the dynamic dissolution and reformation of condensates during a single interphase in coordination with the export/import of ERF. This demonstrates an example of how nuclear condensates can function.