iScienceFeb 18, 2026

Phase separation of ERG reduces cell aging

Longevity & Aging Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jun 27, 2026

Abstract

Essence

ERG phase separation links centenarian epigenomic patterns with reduced senescence programs in human cell experiments.

Evidence

This mixed epigenomic and cell-biology study profiled peripheral blood mononuclear cells from centenarians and tested ERG condensate formation, chromatin organization, CDKN2A expression, and senescence phenotypes in human cells.

Caveat

The evidence connects centenarian profiles to cell models, but it does not show that ERG condensates cause exceptional longevity in people.

Simplified

Centenarians, individuals who reach extreme old age, provide a valuable model for understanding mechanisms associated with healthy aging. Using ATAC-seq and transcriptomic profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from centenarians, we identified a distinct chromatin accessibility landscape linked to exceptional longevity. Integrative analysis highlighted the E-26 transformation-specific (ETS)-related transcription factor ERG as a longevity-associated regulator. Functional studies in human cells showed that ERG forms nuclear condensates through liquid-liquid phase separation, a property associated with altered chromatin organization and reduced expression of senescence-related genes, including CDKN2A. Consistent with these effects, ERG condensation was associated with attenuation of cellular senescence phenotypes. Together, these findings connect epigenomic features observed in centenarians with transcription factor biophysical properties and cellular aging control, highlighting phase separation as a regulatory layer that may contribute to cellular resilience during aging.