NPM1 Undergoes Salt-Dependent Reentrant Phase Separation Driven by IDR Conformational Plasticity and Electrostatic...

The liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of nucleophosmin1 (NPM1) is essential for the assembly of pre-ribosomal subunits. However, the interplay between the conformational transitions of the intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of NPM1 and its biologically critical phase transition remains poorly understood. Here, we uncover a salt-concentration-dependent reentrant phase behavior of NPM1 originating from electrostatically driven IDR plasticity. By integrating molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) techniques, we demonstrate that low salt concentrations stabilize intrachain interactions, maintaining a compact conformation that suppresses intermolecular contact and thereby inhibits LLPS. At intermediate ionic strengths, weakened intrachain interactions result in conformational extension, enabling interchain electrostatic networks that facilitate LLPS. Excessive charge screening at high salt concentrations disrupts both intra- and intermolecular interactions, leading to condensate dissolution. Our study establishes a mechanistic framework linking conformational plasticity, intra- and interchain electrostatic interactions, and phase behavior, expanding our understanding of how dynamic molecular architectures of the NPM1 IDR govern biomolecular condensate assembly and its functions in ribosome biogenesis within the granular component region of the nucleolus.