Shell protein composition specified by NEAT1 domains dictates the formation of paraspeckles as distinct membraneless organelles
Many membraneless organelles (MLOs) formed through phase separation play crucial roles in various cellular processes. Although these MLOs co-exist in cells, how they maintain their independence without coalescence or engulfment remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism by which paraspeckles with core-shell architecture scaffolded by NEAT1_2 lncRNAs exist as distinct MLOs. We identified NEAT1 deletion mutants that assemble paraspeckles that are incorporated into nuclear speckles. Several paraspeckle proteins, including SFPQ, HNRNPF, and BRG1, prevent this incorporation and thus contribute to the segregation of paraspeckles from nuclear speckles. Shell localization of these proteins in the paraspeckles, which is determined by NEAT1_2 lncRNA domains, is required for this segregation process. Conversely, U2-related spliceosomal proteins are involved in internalizing the paraspeckles into nuclear speckles. This study shows that the paraspeckle shell composition dictates the independence of MLOs in the nucleus, providing insights into the importance of the shell in defining features and functions of MLOs.