bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 12, 2024
Intrinsically
disordered
proteins
(IDPs)
can
form
biomolecular
condensates
through
phase
separation.
It
is
recognized
that
the
conformation
of
IDPs
in
dense
and
dilute
phases
as
well
at
interfaces
critically
impact
resulting
properties
associated
with
their
functionality.
However,
a
comprehensive
understanding
conformational
transitions
during
condensation
remains
elusive.
In
this
study,
we
employ
coarse-grained
polyampholyte
model,
comprising
an
equal
number
oppositely
charged
residues-glutamic
acid
lysine-whereby
conformations
behavior
be
readily
tuned
by
altering
protein
sequence.
By
manipulating
sequence
patterns
from
perfectly
alternating
to
block-like,
obtain
chains
ideal-like
semi-compact
structures
phase,
while
chain
approximately
ideal
chain,
irrespective
performing
simulations
different
concentrations,
find
assemble
small
oligomeric
clusters
accompanied
gradual
swelling
individual
chains.
We
further
demonstrate
these
findings
are
applicable
several
naturally
occurring
involved
formation
biological
condensates.
Concurrently,
delve
deeper
into
within
condensate,
revealing
interface
show
strong
dependence,
but
remain
more
collapsed
than
those
bulk-like
phase.
This
study
addresses
critical
gaps
our
knowledge
IDP
function
Nature Chemistry,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
15(10), P. 1340 - 1349
Published: Sept. 25, 2023
The
maturation
of
liquid-like
protein
condensates
into
amyloid
fibrils
has
been
associated
with
several
neurodegenerative
diseases.
However,
the
molecular
mechanisms
underlying
this
liquid-to-solid
transition
have
remained
largely
unclear.
Here
we
analyse
formation
mediated
by
condensation
low-complexity
domain
hnRNPA1,
a
involved
in
amyotrophic
lateral
sclerosis.
We
show
that
phase
separation
and
fibrillization
are
connected
but
distinct
processes
modulated
different
regions
sequence.
By
monitoring
spatial
temporal
evolution
demonstrate
does
not
occur
homogeneously
inside
droplets
is
promoted
at
interface
condensates.
further
coating
surfactant
molecules
inhibits
fibril
formation.
Our
results
reveal
biomolecular
hnRNPA1
promotes
formation,
therefore
suggesting
interfaces
as
potential
novel
therapeutic
target
against
aberrant
amyloids
condensation.
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.
Communications Chemistry,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
6(1)
Published: Feb. 3, 2023
Liquid-liquid
phase
separation
(LLPS)
underlies
the
formation
of
intracellular
membraneless
compartments
in
biology
and
may
have
played
a
role
protocells
that
concentrate
key
chemicals
during
origins
life.
While
LLPS
simple
systems,
such
as
oil
water,
is
well
understood,
many
aspects
complex,
out-of-equilibrium
molecular
systems
remain
elusive.
Here,
author
discusses
open
questions
recent
insights
related
to
formation,
function
fate
condensates
both
cell
protocell
research.
Chemical Reviews,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
124(6), P. 3186 - 3219
Published: March 11, 2024
It
is
now
generally
accepted
that
macromolecules
do
not
act
in
isolation
but
"live"
a
crowded
environment,
is,
an
environment
populated
by
numerous
different
molecules.
The
field
of
molecular
crowding
has
its
origins
the
far
80s
became
only
end
90s.
In
present
issue,
we
discuss
various
aspects
are
influenced
and
need
to
consider
effects.
This
Review
meant
as
introduction
theme
analysis
evolution
concept
through
time
from
colloidal
polymer
physics
more
biological
perspective.
We
introduce
themes
will
be
thoroughly
treated
other
Reviews
issue.
our
intentions,
each
may
stand
itself,
complete
collection
aspiration
provide
complementary
perspectives
propose
holistic
view
crowding.
Chemical Reviews,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
124(4), P. 1899 - 1949
Published: Feb. 8, 2024
Macromolecular
crowding
affects
the
activity
of
proteins
and
functional
macromolecular
complexes
in
all
cells,
including
bacteria.
Crowding,
together
with
physicochemical
parameters
such
as
pH,
ionic
strength,
energy
status,
influences
structure
cytoplasm
thereby
indirectly
function.
Notably,
also
promotes
formation
biomolecular
condensates
by
phase
separation,
initially
identified
eukaryotic
cells
but
more
recently
discovered
to
play
key
functions
Bacterial
require
a
variety
mechanisms
maintain
homeostasis,
particular
environments
fluctuating
conditions,
is
emerging
one
mechanism.
In
this
work,
we
connect
homeostasis
function
bacterial
cell
compare
supramolecular
structures
found
bacteria
those
cells.
We
focus
on
effects
separation
control
chromosome
replication,
segregation,
division,
discuss
contribution
fitness
adaptation
environmental
stress.
Nature Chemical Biology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
20(8), P. 1044 - 1052
Published: March 11, 2024
Abstract
Phase
transitions
are
important
to
understand
cell
dynamics,
and
the
maturation
of
liquid
droplets
is
relevant
neurodegenerative
disorders.
We
combined
NMR
Raman
spectroscopies
with
microscopy
follow,
over
a
period
days
months,
droplet
protein
fused
in
sarcoma
(FUS).
Our
study
reveals
that
surface
plays
critical
role
this
process,
while
RNA
binding
prevents
it.
The
kinetics
faster
an
agarose-stabilized
biphasic
sample
compared
monophasic
condensed
sample,
owing
larger
surface-to-volume
ratio.
In
addition,
spectroscopy
reports
structural
differences
upon
between
inside
droplets,
which
comprised
β-sheet
content,
as
revealed
by
solid-state
NMR.
agreement
these
observations,
solid
crust-like
shell
observed
at
using
microaspiration.
Ultimately,
matured
were
converted
into
fibrils
involving
prion-like
domain
well
first
RGG
motif.
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.