journal article·2026-03Open access

The Disordered Region of ASXL1 Acts as an Auto‐Regulator Through Condensation

Xiao Fang, Qiwei Li, Wenqing Zhang

Advanced Science· Volume 13· Issue 17

Abstract

ABSTRACT Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are common in chromatin regulators, yet how their sequence encodes regulatory logic remains unclear. Here, we show that the long linker IDR of ASXL1 (Additional Sex Combs Like 1) functions as an embedded autoregulatory module. A basic condensation‐prone segment is suppressed by a downstream acidic “charge block,” forming an electrostatic switch that gates condensation. Disease‐associated truncations remove this inhibition, unleashing phase separation and recruiting BRD2 (Bromodomain‐containing protein 2) to ectopic chromatin loci. Distinct truncation sites yield graded effects on condensate formation, chromatin accessibility, and neutrophil differentiation. Charge‐reversing mutations restore liquid‐liquid phase separation (LLPS) in a sequence‐dependent manner. Proteomic and imaging analyses identify BRD2 as a key condensate‐integrated factor whose mislocalization alters chromatin state. A compound screen reveals that Tosedostat reduces C‐terminally truncated ASXL1 (ASXL1‐TR) condensation and partially restores nuclear segmentation. Together, these findings define a tunable electrostatic switch within a long IDR and establish a broader model in which autoregulatory IDRs orchestrate condensation, chromatin engagement, and lineage fidelity.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Protein Degradation and Inhibitors · Chromatin Remodeling and Cancer · Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Hematology Guangzhou First People's Hospital School of Medicine South China University of Technology Guangzhou China

Division of Cell Developmental and Integrative Biology School of Medicine South China University of Technology Guangzhou China

School of Biology and Biological Engineering South China University of Technology Guangzhou China

Department of Hematology the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of South China University of Technology (Nanhai District People's Hospital of Foshan) Foshan China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · National Key Research and Development Program of China · Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province

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