Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
16(1)
Published: March 26, 2025
The
amyloid
hypothesis
has
been
a
leading
narrative
concerning
the
pathophysiological
foundation
of
Alzheimer's
and
Parkinson's
disease.
At
two
ends
lie
functional
protein
monomers
pathology-defining
fibrils,
while
early
stages
aggregation
are
populated
by
polymorphic,
transient
neurotoxic
oligomers.
As
structure
activity
oligomers
intertwined,
here
we
show
arising
from
liquid-liquid
phase
separation
β-barrel
formation,
their
routes
to
neurodegeneration,
role
in
cerebrovascular
perturbation.
Together,
this
Perspective
converges
on
multifaceted
oligomer-axis
central
pathological
origin
and,
hence,
treatment
diseases.
For
decades,
research
disease
dementia
lacked
unified
framework.
This
explores
convergence
key
oligomerization
processes
that
drive
neurodegeneration
damage,
aiming
advance
effective
diagnosis
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
14(1)
Published: May 22, 2023
Abstract
Cells
compartmentalize
parts
of
their
interiors
into
liquid-like
condensates,
which
can
be
reconstituted
in
vitro.
Although
these
condensates
interact
with
membrane-bound
organelles,
potential
for
membrane
remodeling
and
the
underlying
mechanisms
such
interactions
are
not
well-understood.
Here,
we
demonstrate
that
between
protein
-
including
hollow
ones,
membranes
lead
to
remarkable
morphological
transformations
provide
a
theoretical
framework
describe
them.
Modulation
solution
salinity
or
composition
drives
condensate-membrane
system
through
two
wetting
transitions,
from
dewetting,
broad
regime
partial
wetting,
complete
wetting.
When
sufficient
area
is
available,
fingering
ruffling
interface
observed,
an
intriguing
phenomenon
producing
intricately
curved
structures.
The
observed
morphologies
governed
by
interplay
adhesion,
elasticity,
interfacial
tension.
Our
results
highlight
relevance
cell
biology,
pave
way
design
synthetic
membrane-droplet
based
biomaterials
compartments
tunable
properties.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
120(2)
Published: Jan. 3, 2023
Biomolecular
condensates
formed
via
phase
separation
of
proteins
and
nucleic
acids
are
thought
to
perform
a
wide
range
critical
cellular
functions
by
maintaining
spatiotemporal
regulation
organizing
intracellular
biochemistry.
However,
aberrant
transitions
implicated
in
multitude
human
diseases.
Here,
we
demonstrate
that
two
neuronal
proteins,
namely
tau
prion,
undergo
complex
coacervation
driven
domain-specific
electrostatic
interactions
yield
highly
dynamic,
mesoscopic
liquid-like
droplets.
The
acidic
N-terminal
segment
interacts
electrostatically
with
the
polybasic
intrinsically
disordered
prion
protein
(PrP).
We
employed
unique
combination
time-resolved
tools
encompass
several
orders
magnitude
timescales
ranging
from
nanoseconds
seconds.
These
studies
unveil
an
intriguing
symphony
molecular
events
associated
formation
heterotypic
comprising
ephemeral,
domain-specific,
short-range
nanoclusters.
Our
results
reveal
these
can
be
tuned
RNA
stoichiometry-dependent
manner
resulting
reversible,
multiphasic,
immiscible,
ternary
different
morphologies
core-shell
nested
This
system
exhibits
typical
three-regime
behavior
reminiscent
other
membraneless
organelles
including
nucleolar
condensates.
also
show
upon
aging,
tau:PrP
droplets
gradually
convert
into
solid-like
co-assemblies
sequestration
persistent
intermolecular
interactions.
vibrational
Raman
conjunction
atomic
force
microscopy
multi-color
fluorescence
imaging
presence
amorphous
amyloid-like
co-aggregates
maturation.
findings
provide
mechanistic
underpinnings
overlapping
neuropathology
involving
PrP
highlight
broader
biological
role
physiology
disease.
Chemical Society Reviews,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
53(10), P. 4976 - 5013
Published: Jan. 1, 2024
Protein
misfolding
and
amyloid
aggregation,
linked
to
neurodegenerative
diseases,
can
result
from
liquid–liquid
phase
separation
(LLPS)
a
subsequent
liquid-to-solid
transition.
This
represents
LLPS
as
generic
mechanism
in
nucleation.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
14(1)
Published: Sept. 28, 2023
Membrane
wetting
by
biomolecular
condensates
recently
emerged
as
a
key
phenomenon
in
cell
biology,
playing
an
important
role
diverse
range
of
processes
across
different
organisms.
However,
understanding
the
molecular
mechanisms
behind
condensate
formation
and
interaction
with
lipid
membranes
is
still
missing.
To
study
this,
we
exploited
properties
dyes
ACDAN
LAURDAN
nano-environmental
sensors
combination
phasor
analysis
hyperspectral
lifetime
imaging
microscopy.
Using
glycinin
model
condensate-forming
protein
giant
vesicles
membranes,
obtained
vital
information
on
process
membrane
wetting.
Our
results
reveal
that
display
differences
water
dynamics
when
changing
salinity
medium
consequence
rearrangements
secondary
structure
protein.
Remarkably,
membrane-condensates
well
polymer
indicated
correlation
between
increased
affinity
enhanced
packing.
This
demonstrated
decrease
dipolar
relaxation
all
membrane-condensate
systems,
suggesting
general
mechanism
to
tune
packing
Chemical Reviews,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
123(14), P. 9094 - 9138
Published: June 28, 2023
Biomolecular
condensates,
membrane-less
entities
arising
from
liquid–liquid
phase
separation,
hold
dichotomous
roles
in
health
and
disease.
Alongside
their
physiological
functions,
these
condensates
can
transition
to
a
solid
phase,
producing
amyloid-like
structures
implicated
degenerative
diseases
cancer.
This
review
thoroughly
examines
the
dual
nature
of
biomolecular
spotlighting
role
cancer,
particularly
concerning
p53
tumor
suppressor.
Given
that
over
half
malignant
tumors
possess
mutations
TP53
gene,
this
topic
carries
profound
implications
for
future
cancer
treatment
strategies.
Notably,
not
only
misfolds
but
also
forms
aggregates
analogous
other
protein-based
amyloids,
thus
significantly
influencing
progression
through
loss-of-function,
negative
dominance,
gain-of-function
pathways.
The
exact
molecular
mechanisms
underpinning
mutant
remain
elusive.
However,
cofactors
like
nucleic
acids
glycosaminoglycans
are
known
be
critical
players
intersection
between
diseases.
Importantly,
we
reveal
molecules
capable
inhibiting
aggregation
curtail
proliferation
migration.
Hence,
targeting
transitions
solid-like
amorphous
states
offers
promising
direction
innovative
diagnostics
therapeutics.
Pharmaceutics,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
15(3), P. 839 - 839
Published: March 3, 2023
Parkinson’s
disease,
the
second
most
common
neurodegenerative
disorder
worldwide,
is
characterized
by
accumulation
of
protein
deposits
in
dopaminergic
neurons.
These
are
primarily
composed
aggregated
forms
α-Synuclein
(α-Syn).
Despite
extensive
research
on
this
only
symptomatic
treatments
currently
available.
However,
recent
years,
several
compounds,
mainly
an
aromatic
character,
targeting
α-Syn
self-assembly
and
amyloid
formation
have
been
identified.
discovered
different
approaches,
chemically
diverse
exhibit
a
plethora
mechanisms
action.
This
work
aims
to
provide
historical
overview
physiopathology
molecular
aspects
associated
with
disease
current
trends
small
compound
development
target
aggregation.
Although
these
molecules
still
under
development,
they
constitute
important
step
toward
discovering
effective
anti-aggregational
therapies
for
disease.
Journal of Biological Chemistry,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
299(5), P. 104637 - 104637
Published: March 23, 2023
The
bacterial
chromosome,
known
as
its
nucleoid,
is
an
amorphous
assemblage
of
globular
nucleoprotein
domains.
It
exists
in
a
state
phase
separation
from
the
cell's
cytoplasm,
irregularly-shaped,
membrane-less,
intracellular
compartment.
This
(the
nature
which
remains
largely
unknown)
maintained
through
generations
ad
infinitum.
Here,
we
show
that
HU
and
Dps,
two
most
abundant
nucleoid-associated
proteins
(NAPs)
Escherichia
coli,
undergo
spontaneous
complex
coacervation
with
different
forms
DNA/RNA,
both
individually
each
other's
presence,
to
cause
accretion
compaction
DNA/RNA
into
liquid-liquid
separated
condensates
vitro.
Upon
mixing
nucleic
acids,
HU-A
HU-B
form
(a)
biphasic
heterotypic
mixed
helps
lower
Csat
also
(b)
multiphasic
condensates,
demixed
domains
display
contents
Dps.
We
believe
these
modes
are
seen
vitro
can
serve
models
for
vivo
relationships
among
NAPs
nucleoids,
involving
local
global
variations
relative
abundances
NAPs,
especially
subdomains
characterized
by
differing
grades
separation.
Our
results
clearly
demonstrate
some
quantitative,
qualitative,
differences
coacervating
abilities
DNA,
potentially
explaining
(i)
why
E.
coli
has
isoforms
HU,
(ii)
changes
Dps
facilitate
lag,
logarithmic,
stationary
phases
growth.