Phase separation and transcriptional regulation in cancer development

Liquid-liquid phase separation, a novel biochemical phenomenon, has been increasingly studied for medical application. It underlies the formation of membrane-less organelles and is involved in many cellular and biological processes. During transcriptional regulation, dynamic condensates are formed through interactions between transcription elements, such as transcription factors, coactivators, and mediators. Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, but the precise mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis often remain to be elucidated. Emerging evidence has linked abnormal transcriptional condensates to several diseases, especially cancer, implying that phase separation plays an important role in tumorigenesis. Condensates formed by phase separation may have an effect on gene transcription in tumors. In this review, we focus on the relationship between phase separation and transcriptional regulation as well as how this phenomenon contributes to cancer development.