The DEAD-box helicase eIF4A1 acts as RNA chaperone during mitotic exit enabling chromatin decondensation

The DEAD-box helicase eIF4A1 acts as RNA chaperone during mitotic exit enabling chromatin decondensation | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article The DEAD-box helicase eIF4A1 acts as RNA chaperone during mitotic exit enabling chromatin decondensation Wolfram Antonin, Ramona Jühlen, Sabine Wiesmann, Anja Scheufen, and 9 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4750912/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 11 Mar, 2025 Read the published version in Nature Communications → Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract During mitosis, chromosomes condense and decondense to segregate faithfully and undamaged. The exact molecular mechanisms are not well understood. We identify the DEAD-box helicase eIF4A1 as a critical factor in this process. In a cell-free condensation assay eIF4A1 is crucial for this process, relying on its RNA-binding ability but not its ATPase activity. Reducing eIF4A1 levels in cells consistently slows down chromatin decondensation during nuclear reformation. Conversely, increasing eIF4A1 concentration on mitotic chromosomes accelerates their decondensation. The absence of eIF4A1 affects the perichromatin layer, which surrounds the chromosomes during mitosis and consists of RNA and mainly nucleolar proteins. In vitro, eIF4A1 acts as an RNA chaperone, dissociating biomolecular condensates of RNA and perichromatin proteins. During mitosis, the chaperone activity of eIF4A1 is required to regulate the composition and fluidity of the perichromatin layer, which is crucial for the dynamic reorganization of chromatin as cells exit mitosis. Biological sciences/Cell biology/Chromosomes Biological sciences/Cell biology/Nuclear organization DEAD-box helicase chromatin decondensation mitotic exit Xenopus egg extracts life cell imaging Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files JuehlenetalSUPPL.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 11 Mar, 2025 Read the published version in Nature Communications → Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-4750912","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":330665371,"identity":"2350561b-0baa-4755-9c35-f39ebd8d1655","order_by":0,"name":"Wolfram 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