Polymer-Assisted Condensation: A Mechanism for Hetero-Chromatin Formation and Epigenetic Memory

We consider the formation of droplets from a 2-component liquid mixture induced by large polymer chain that has preferential attraction to one components. assume is in fully miscible state, but far above critical interaction limit two species. show coil acts as chemical potential trap, which can shift inside volume into partially state and thus triggers polymer-bound droplet preferred solvent phase, we denote polymer-assisted condensation (PAC). propose mean-field model predict essential features PAC including phase diagram, perform molecular dynamics simulations predicted behavior robust against fluctuation effects. The properties make it an ideal candidate understand biomolecular condensates cell nucleus, such those formed protein heterochromatin 1 (HP1). organize spatial structure chromatin hetero- euchromatin their stability with respect chromatin-HP1-interaction ensures propagation epigenetic information through generations.