SILAC of hESCs with DDX18 knockdown

This study explores the crucial role of the nucleolus-specific RNA helicase DDX18 in maintaining the pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells. We demonstrate that DDX18 coordinates nucleolus phase separation and chromatin organization by interacting with NPM1 in the granular component of the nucleolus, facilitated by nucleolar RNA species. The absence of DDX18 disrupts immiscible nucleolar substructures, significantly affecting centromere clustering and perinucleolar heterochromatin (PNH) formation.