Small Methods,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
7(12)
Published: July 18, 2023
Abstract
The
design
and
construction
of
synthetic
cells
–
human‐made
microcompartments
that
mimic
features
living
have
experienced
a
real
boom
in
the
past
decade.
While
many
efforts
been
geared
toward
assembling
membrane‐bounded
compartments,
coacervate
droplets
produced
by
liquid–liquid
phase
separation
emerged
as
an
alternative
membrane‐free
compartmentalization
paradigm.
Here,
dual
role
cell
research
is
discussed:
encapsulated
within
membrane‐enclosed
coacervates
act
surrogates
membraneless
organelles
ubiquitously
found
cells;
alternatively,
they
can
be
viewed
crowded
cytosol‐like
chassis
for
constructing
integrated
cells.
After
introducing
key
concepts
coacervation
illustrating
chemical
diversity
systems,
their
physicochemical
properties
resulting
bioinspired
functions
are
emphasized.
Moving
from
suspensions
free
floating
coacervates,
two
nascent
roles
these
highlighted:
organelle‐like
modules
templates.
Building
discussion
on
recent
studies
literature,
potential
to
assemble
capable
multiple
life‐inspired
showcased.
Future
challenges
still
tackled
field
finally
discussed.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
12(1)
Published: Feb. 17, 2021
Abstract
Liquid–liquid
phase
separation
of
proteins
underpins
the
formation
membraneless
compartments
in
living
cells.
Elucidating
molecular
driving
forces
underlying
protein
transitions
is
therefore
a
key
objective
for
understanding
biological
function
and
malfunction.
Here
we
show
that
cellular
proteins,
which
form
condensates
at
low
salt
concentrations,
including
FUS,
TDP-43,
Brd4,
Sox2,
Annexin
A11,
can
reenter
phase-separated
regime
high
concentrations.
By
bringing
together
experiments
simulations,
demonstrate
this
reentrant
transition
high-salt
driven
by
hydrophobic
non-ionic
interactions,
mechanistically
distinct
from
low-salt
regime,
where
are
additionally
stabilized
electrostatic
forces.
Our
work
thus
sheds
light
on
cooperation
interactions
as
general
condensation
process,
with
important
implications
aberrant
function,
druggability,
material
properties
biomolecular
condensates.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
118(44)
Published: Oct. 29, 2021
Significance
Cells
may
compartmentalize
proteins
via
a
demixing
process
known
as
liquid–liquid
phase
separation
(LLPS),
which
is
often
driven
by
intrinsically
disordered
(IDPs)
and
regions.
Protein
condensates
arising
from
LLPS
develop
into
insoluble
protein
aggregates,
in
neurodegenerative
diseases
cancer.
Understanding
the
of
formation,
dissolution,
aging
requires
models
that
accurately
capture
underpinning
interactions
at
residue
level.
In
this
work,
we
leverage
data
biophysical
experiments
on
IDPs
dilute
solution
to
sequence-dependent
model
predicts
conformational
behavior
diverse
unrelated
sequences
with
good
accuracy.
Using
model,
gain
insight
coupling
between
chain
compaction
propensity.
Chemical Reviews,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
121(22), P. 13869 - 13914
Published: Sept. 14, 2021
Peptide-based
supramolecular
systems
chemistry
seeks
to
mimic
the
ability
of
life
forms
use
conserved
sets
building
blocks
and
chemical
reactions
achieve
a
bewildering
array
functions.
Building
on
design
principles
for
short
peptide-based
nanomaterials
with
properties,
such
as
self-assembly,
recognition,
catalysis,
actuation,
are
increasingly
available.
is
starting
address
far
greater
challenge
systems-level
access
complex
functions
that
emerge
when
multiple
interactions
coordinated
integrated.
We
discuss
key
features
relevant
design,
including
regulating
order
disorder,
development
active
adaptive
by
considering
kinetic
thermodynamic
aspects
combinatorial
dynamic
covalent
noncovalent
interactions.
Finally,
we
how
structural
concepts,
preorganization
induced
fit,
critical
develop
materials
tunable
photonic,
electronic,
catalytic
properties.
highlight
examples
where
combined,
resulting
in
display
properties
cannot
be
achieved
without
this
level
integration.
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
Emerging Topics in Life Sciences,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
4(3), P. 307 - 329
Published: Oct. 20, 2020
Intrinsically
disordered
protein
regions
(IDRs)
—
that
do
not
fold
into
a
fixed
three-dimensional
structure
but
instead
exist
in
heterogeneous
ensemble
of
conformations
have
recently
entered
mainstream
cell
biology
the
context
liquid–liquid
phase
separation
(LLPS).
IDRs
are
frequently
found
to
be
enriched
phase-separated
compartments.
Due
this
observation,
presence
an
IDR
is
assumed
diagnostic
its
ability
separate.
In
review,
we
clarify
role
biological
assembly
and
explore
physical
principles
through
which
amino
acids
can
confer
attractive
molecular
interactions
underlie
separation.
While
some
will
robustly
drive
separation,
many
others
not.
We
emphasize
rather
than
‘disorder'
driving
multivalency
drives
As
such,
whether
or
region
capable
depend
on
chemistry
encoded
within
acid
sequence.
Consequently,
in-depth
understanding
prerequisite
make
informed
inferences
how
why
may
involved
or,
more
generally,
protein-mediated
intermolecular
interactions.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
12(1)
Published: Nov. 16, 2021
Abstract
Liquid-liquid
phase
separation
of
multivalent
proteins
and
RNAs
drives
the
formation
biomolecular
condensates
that
facilitate
membrane-free
compartmentalization
subcellular
processes.
With
recent
advances,
it
is
becoming
increasingly
clear
are
network
fluids
with
time-dependent
material
properties.
Here,
employing
microrheology
optical
tweezers,
we
reveal
molecular
determinants
govern
viscoelastic
behavior
formed
by
Arg/Gly-rich
sticker-spacer
polypeptides
RNA.
These
behave
as
Maxwell
an
elastically-dominant
rheological
response
at
shorter
timescales
a
liquid-like
longer
timescales.
The
viscous
elastic
regimes
these
can
be
tuned
polypeptide
RNA
sequences
well
their
mixture
compositions.
Our
results
establish
quantitative
link
between
sequence-
structure-encoded
interactions
microscopic
scale
properties
resulting
mesoscale,
enabling
route
to
systematically
probe
rationally
engineer
programmable
mechanics.