DNA‐Induced Entropic Gain Triggers an Allosteric Switch for Biomolecular Condensation of Heat Shock Transcription Factor 1

The molecular logic of how site-specific DNA recognition by a transcription factor (TF) is transduced into macroscopic protein condensation remains a fundamental puzzle in chemical biology. Here, we unveil that the structured DNA-binding domain (DBD) of a TF acts as an entropic switch to regulate the release of the intrinsically disordered region (IDR). Using high-resolution solution NMR spectroscopy, we demonstrate that DNA binding significantly shifts the conformational equilibrium of the DBD toward a highly dynamic state. This conformational shift allosterically triggers the release of the IDR, thereby promoting macroscopic biomolecular condensation via multivalent interactions between the IDR and other molecules. Our findings define a mechanism of entropy-driven allostery, providing a structural and thermodynamic basis for how DNA-encoded information is transduced into macroscopic phase behavior.

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Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Published
2026-05-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.7340537
Primary Topic
Heat shock proteins research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

DNA‐Induced Entropic Gain Triggers an Allosteric Switch for Biomolecular Condensation of Heat Shock Transcription Factor 1

Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Heat shock proteins research
article

DNA‐Induced Entropic Gain Triggers an Allosteric Switch for Biomolecular Condensation of Heat Shock Transcription Factor 1

article en

Abstract

The molecular logic of how site-specific DNA recognition by a transcription factor (TF) is transduced into macroscopic protein condensation remains a fundamental puzzle in chemical biology. Here, we unveil that the structured DNA-binding domain (DBD) of a TF acts as an entropic switch to regulate the release of the intrinsically disordered region (IDR). Using high-resolution solution NMR spectroscopy, we demonstrate that DNA binding significantly shifts the conformational equilibrium of the DBD toward a highly dynamic state. This conformational shift allosterically triggers the release of the IDR, thereby promoting macroscopic biomolecular condensation via multivalent interactions between the IDR and other molecules. Our findings define a mechanism of entropy-driven allostery, providing a structural and thermodynamic basis for how DNA-encoded information is transduced into macroscopic phase behavior.

Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Hokkaido University of Science (JP), Hokkaido University (JP), Tokushima University (JP)
Naito Foundation, Takeda Science Foundation, Asahi Glass Foundation, Mochida Memorial Foundation for Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, Astellas Foundation for Research on Metabolic Disorders, JKA Foundation, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Clean water and sanitation
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Heat shock proteins research
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DNA‐Induced Entropic Gain Triggers an Allosteric Switch for Biomolecular Condensation of Heat Shock Transcription Factor 1 · Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS