Phase Separation Properties in Transcriptional Organization

Transcription is of great importance to stress response, fate control, and development, involving the functional cooperation of a large number of transcription factors and cofactors. Transcription machineries assemble rapidly to respond to the physiological and functional needs of cells. Recently, phase-separated biomolecular condensates have emerged as a universal biophysical basis for the spatiotemporal coordination of various cellular activities, including transcription. Here, we summarize and discuss recent advances in understanding of how phase separation contributes to RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated transcriptional regulation, with a focus on the physical properties and dynamics of transcriptional condensates.