GenomeBiol_HOPSdynamics2026

Hyperosmotic shock rapidly induces cytoplasmic and nuclear HOPS condensates, but their diffusion dynamics in compressed cells remained unknown. We used extended-timescale single-particle tracking of eGFP-DCP1A condensates in U2OS cells to reveal predominantly sub-diffusive motion from ER tethering, punctuated by rare (2%) microtubule-dependent super-diffusive jumps. GEM particle mapping shows the compressed cytosol remains highly accessible, with condensate organization driven by specific interactions rather than physical corrals.