Exogenous Pregnane X Receptor Does Not Undergo Liquid-liquid Phase Separation in Nucleus under Cell-based In Vitro Conditions

Pregnane X receptor (PXR) belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily that plays a crucial role in hepatic physiological and pathological conditions. Phase separation is a process in which biomacromolecules aggregate and condense into a dense phase as liquid condensates and coexist with a dilute phase, contributing to various cellular and biological functions. Till now, whether PXR could undergo phase separation remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether PXR undergoes phase separation. Analysis of the intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) using algorithms tools indicated a low propensity of PXR to undergo phase separation. Experimental assays such as hyperosmotic stress, agonist treatment, and optoDroplets assay demonstrated the absence of phase separation for PXR. OptoDroplets assay revealed the inability of the fusion protein of Cry2 with PXR to form condensates upon blue light stimulation. Moreover, phase separation of PXR did not occur even though the mRNA and protein expression levels of PXR target, CYP3A4, changed after sorbitol treatment. In conclusion, for the first time, these findings suggested that exogenous PXR does not undergo phase separation following activation or under hyperosmotic stress in nucleus of cells. Significance Statement PXR plays a critical role in hepatic physiological and pathological processes. The present study clearly demonstrated that exogenous PXR does not undergo phase separation after activation by agonist or under hyperosmotic stress in nucleus. These findings may help understand PXR biology.