Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
11(1)
Published: Nov. 23, 2020
Abstract
Multivalent
polyions
can
undergo
complex
coacervation,
producing
membraneless
compartments
that
accumulate
ribozymes
and
enhance
catalysis,
offering
a
mechanism
for
functional
prebiotic
compartmentalization
in
the
origins
of
life.
Here,
we
evaluate
impact
lower,
more
prebiotically-relevant,
polyion
multivalency
on
performance
coacervates
as
compartments.
Positively
negatively
charged
homopeptides
with
1–100
residues
adenosine
mono-,
di-,
triphosphate
nucleotides
are
used
model
polyions.
Polycation/polyanion
pairs
tested
resulting
analyzed
salt
resistance,
ability
to
provide
distinct
internal
microenvironment
(apparent
local
pH,
RNA
partitioning),
effect
structure
formation.
We
find
formed
by
phase
separation
shorter
effectively
generated
pH
microenvironments,
accumulated
RNA,
preserved
duplexes
than
those
longer
Hence,
reduced
not
only
viable
chemistries,
they
outperform
higher
molecular
weight
analogues.
Chemical Society Reviews,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
50(6), P. 3690 - 3705
Published: Jan. 1, 2021
This
tutorial
review
describes
molecular
design
principles
for
peptides
and
peptide
derivatives
undergoing
phase
separation
highlights
the
potential
of
resulting
coacervate
protocells.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
11(1)
Published: Sept. 15, 2020
Liquid
phase
separation
into
two
or
more
coexisting
phases
has
emerged
as
a
new
paradigm
for
understanding
subcellular
organization,
prebiotic
life,
and
the
origins
of
disease.
The
design
principles
underlying
biomolecular
have
potential
to
drive
development
novel
liquid-based
organelles
therapeutics,
however,
an
how
individual
molecules
contribute
emergent
material
properties,
approaches
directly
manipulate
dynamics
are
lacking.
Here,
using
microrheology,
we
demonstrate
that
droplets
poly-arginine
coassembled
with
mono/polynucleotides
approximately
100
fold
greater
viscosity
than
comparable
lysine
droplets,
both
which
can
be
finer
tuned
by
polymer
length.
We
find
these
amino
acid-level
differences
formation
immiscible
tunable
kinetics
further
exploited
trigger
controlled
release
droplet
components.
Together,
this
work
provides
mechanism
leveraging
sequence-level
components
in
order
regulate
multiphase
coexistence.
Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
52, P. 101416 - 101416
Published: Dec. 30, 2020
Coacervates
are
condensed
liquid-like
droplets,
usually
formed
with
oppositely
charged
polymeric
molecules.
They
have
been
studied
extensively
in
colloid
and
interface
science
for
their
remarkable
material
properties.
The
liquid–liquid
phase
separation
underlying
coacervate
formation
also
plays
an
important
role
the
of
various
membraneless
organelles
(MLOs)
that
found
many
living
cells.
Therefore,
there
is
increasing
interest
to
use
well-characterized
coacervates
as
vitro
models
mimic
specific
aspects
MLOs.
Here,
we
review
five
–
physical
chemical
properties,
hierarchical
organization,
uptake
selectivity,
dynamics,
maturation
particular
discuss
how
useful
better
understand
these
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
12(1)
Published: Feb. 8, 2021
Multivalent
protein-protein
and
protein-RNA
interactions
are
the
drivers
of
biological
phase
separation.
Biomolecular
condensates
typically
contain
a
dense
network
multiple
proteins
RNAs,
their
competing
molecular
play
key
roles
in
regulating
condensate
composition
structure.
Employing
ternary
system
comprising
prion-like
polypeptide
(PLP),
arginine-rich
(RRP),
RNA,
we
show
that
competition
between
PLP
RNA
for
single
shared
partner,
RRP,
leads
to
RNA-induced
demixing
PLP-RRP
into
stable
coexisting
phases-homotypic
heterotypic
RRP-RNA
condensates.
The
morphology
these
biphasic
(non-engulfing/
partial
engulfing/
complete
engulfing)
is
determined
by
RNA-to-RRP
stoichiometry
hierarchy
intermolecular
interactions,
providing
glimpse
broad
range
multiphasic
patterns
accessible
Our
findings
provide
minimal
set
physical
rules
govern
spatial
organization
multicomponent
biomolecular
International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
21(23), P. 9045 - 9045
Published: Nov. 28, 2020
Intrinsically
disordered
proteins
(IDPs)
are
unable
to
adopt
a
unique
3D
structure
under
physiological
conditions
and
thus
exist
as
highly
dynamic
conformational
ensembles.
IDPs
ubiquitous
widely
spread
in
the
protein
realm.
In
last
decade,
compelling
experimental
evidence
has
been
gathered,
pointing
ability
of
intrinsically
regions
(IDRs)
undergo
liquid–liquid
phase
separation
(LLPS),
phenomenon
driving
formation
membrane-less
organelles
(MLOs).
These
biological
condensates
play
critical
role
spatio-temporal
organization
cell,
where
they
exert
multitude
key
functions,
ranging
from
transcriptional
regulation
silencing
control
signal
transduction
networks.
After
introducing
LLPS,
we
herein
survey
available
data
on
LLPS
by
IDPs/IDRs
viral
origin
discuss
their
functional
implications.
We
distinguish
associated
with
replication
trafficking
components,
LLPS-mediated
interference
viruses
host
cell
functions.
emerging
plant
virus
interfere
MLOs
propose
that
bacteriophages
can
bacterial
well.
conclude
discussing
how
could
be
targeted
treat
separation-associated
diseases,
including
infections.
Annual Review of Condensed Matter Physics,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
12(1), P. 155 - 176
Published: Nov. 24, 2020
Polyelectrolyte
complex
coacervates
represent
a
wide
class
of
materials
with
applications
ranging
from
coatings
and
adhesives
to
pharmaceutical
technologies.
They
also
underpin
multiple
biological
processes,
which
are
only
now
beginning
be
deciphered.
The
means
by
molecular-scale
architecture
propagates
into
macroscopic
structure,
thermodynamics,
dynamics
in
is
central
concern
physics,
chemistry,
biology,
science.
How
does
polyion
charge
sequence
dictate
thermodynamic
behavior?
one
tailor
rheology
or
interfacial
tension
using
macromolecular
architecture?
What
emergent
functionality
polymer
has
consequences?
Recent
developments
coacervate
science
shed
light
on
many
these
issues
raise
exciting
new
challenges
for
the
close
integration
theory,
simulations,
experiment.
Advanced Materials,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
32(42)
Published: Sept. 2, 2020
Adenosine
triphosphate
(ATP)
is
a
central
metabolite
that
plays
an
indispensable
role
in
various
cellular
processes,
from
energy
supply
to
cell-to-cell
signaling.
Nature
has
developed
sophisticated
strategies
use
the
stored
ATP
for
many
metabolic
and
non-equilibrium
sense
bind
biological
The
variations
concentrations
one
organelle
another,
extracellular
intracellular
environments,
normal
cells
cancer
are
motivation
designing
ATP-triggered
ATP-fueled
systems
materials,
because
they
show
great
potential
applications
by
using
as
trigger
or
chemical
fuel.
Over
last
decade,
been
emerging
attractive
co-assembling
component
man-made
stimuli-responsive
well
fuel-driven
active
materials.
Herein,
current
advances
concepts
self-assemblies
materials
discussed,
shedding
light
on
highlighting
future
developments.
By
bringing
together
of
different
domains,
supramolecular
chemistry
DNA
nanoscience,
equilibrium
self-assembly,
fundamental
sciences
applications,
aim
cross-fertilize
approaches
with
ultimate
bring
synthetic
ATP-dependent
closer
living
systems.
Nano Letters,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
22(2), P. 612 - 621
Published: Jan. 10, 2022
Liquid–liquid
phase
separation
underlies
the
formation
of
biological
condensates.
Physically,
such
systems
are
microemulsions
that
in
general
have
a
propensity
to
fuse
and
coalesce;
however,
many
condensates
persist
as
independent
droplets
test
tube
inside
cells.
This
stability
is
crucial
for
their
function,
but
physicochemical
mechanisms
control
emulsion
remain
poorly
understood.
Here,
by
combining
single-condensate
zeta
potential
measurements,
optical
microscopy,
tweezer
experiments,
multiscale
molecular
modeling,
we
investigate
how
nanoscale
forces
sustain
impact
against
fusion.
By
comparing
peptide–RNA
(PR25:PolyU)
proteinaceous
(FUS)
condensates,
show
higher
condensate
surface
charge
correlates
with
lower
fusion
propensity.
Moreover,
measurements
single
potentials
reveal
can
constitute
classically
stable
emulsions.
Taken
together,
these
results
highlight
role
passive
stabilization
protecting
biomolecular
coalescence.