Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40659667›Full record

ArticleNature communications2025

Phase separated condensates of ATRX regulate neural progenitor identity.

Ryo Tomooka, Tsukasa Sanosaka, Tamami Miyagi, Tomoko Andoh-Noda, Satoe Banno, Noriko Mizota, Kohsuke Kanekura, Hideyuki Okano, Jun Kohyama

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nature communications, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Liquid-liquid phase separation in neural development.Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS · 2026
    Review
  3. Article
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Ryo TomookaDepartment of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Tsukasa SanosakaDepartment of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2486-1599
Tamami MiyagiDepartment of Pharmacology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Tomoko Andoh-NodaDepartment of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Satoe BannoDepartment of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Noriko MizotaDepartment of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Kohsuke KanekuraDepartment of Pharmacology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2901-9595
Hideyuki OkanoKeio University Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7482-5935
Jun KohyamaDepartment of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan. jkohyama@waseda.jp.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8168-8588

Funding

Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) JP24bk0104180hMEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) JP18m0404022hMEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) 19H03623MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) 24K02571
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Mutations in the ATRX genes cause alpha-thalassemia X-linked intellectual disability (ATR-X) syndrome. Here, we show that ATRX influences the fate of human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) by forming condensates through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). The intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of ATRX is essential for LLPS and enables ATRX to form dynamic condensates that recruit co-activators. These condensates are necessary for ATRX localization at super-enhancers (SEs) in hNPCs, linking its compartmentalization to transcriptional regulation. Disruption of ATRX condensates alters gene expression and impairs neuronal differentiation. Our findings support a model in which ATRX phase separation regulates gene networks required for hNPC identity. These findings extend current understanding of ATRX function beyond its roles in chromatin structure and suggest that LLPS is a key regulatory mechanism by which ATRX supports neurodevelopment. This study opens avenues for further investigation into how dysregulation of ATRX and its phase-separation ability may contribute to the pathogenesis of ATR-X syndrome and related neurodevelopmental disorders.

Indexed as

Neural Stem CellsX-linked Nuclear Proteinalpha-ThalassemiaCell DifferentiationEnhancer Elements, GeneticGene Expression RegulationHumansMutationX-Linked Intellectual DisabilityATRX protein, humanX-linked Nuclear Protein

Identifiers

PMID40659667
PMCPMC12259971

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.