Biomacromolecules,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
26(1), P. 363 - 373
Published: Dec. 2, 2024
Accurate
determination
of
biomolecular
condensate
volume
reveals
that
destabilization
condensates
can
lead
to
either
swelling
or
shrinking
condensates,
giving
fundamental
insights
into
the
regulation
cellular
condensates.
Determination
and
coacervate
protocells
is
essential
investigate
their
precise
composition
impact
on
(bio)chemical
reactions
are
localized
inside
It
not
a
straightforward
task,
as
have
tiny
volumes,
highly
viscous,
prone
wetting.
Here,
we
examine
different
strategies
determine
introduce
two
new
methods,
with
which
volumes
1
μL
less
(volume
fraction
0.4%)
be
determined
standard
deviation
0.03
μL.
Using
these
show
depends
degree
physical
cross-linking.
These
observations
supported
by
Flory–Huggins
theory
profound
effects
in
cell
biology.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
16(1)
Published: March 24, 2025
Coarse-grained
(CG)
molecular
dynamics
(MD)
is
widely
used
for
the
efficient
simulation
of
intrinsically
disordered
proteins
(IDPs).
The
Martini
model,
one
most
popular
CG
force
fields
in
biomolecular
simulation,
was
reported
to
yield
too
compact
IDP
conformations,
limiting
its
applications.
Addressing
this,
we
optimized
bonded
parameters
based
on
fitting
reference
simulations
a
diverse
set
IDPs
at
atomistic
resolution,
resulting
Martini3-based
protein
model
coined
Martini3-IDP.
This
leads
expanded
greatly
improving
reproduction
experimentally
measured
radii
gyration.
Moreover,
contrary
ad-hoc
fixes
scaling
protein-protein
or
protein-water
interactions,
Martini3-IDP
keeps
overall
interaction
balance
underlying
3.
To
validate
that,
perform
comprehensive
testing
including
full-length
multidomain
proteins,
IDP-lipid
membrane
binding
and
IDP-small
molecule
binding,
confirming
ability
successfully
capture
complex
interplay
between
components.
Finally,
recently
emerging
concept
condensate,
through
liquid-liquid
phase
separation,
also
reproduced
by
number
both
homotypic
heterotypic
systems.
With
improved
expand
simulate
processes
involving
environments,
spatio-temporal
scales
inaccessible
with
all-atom
models.
Here,
authors
introduce
Martini3-IDP,
refined
that
addresses
prior
over-compact
structures.
Validated
across
systems,
it
captures
interactions
condensates.
Advanced Science,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
11(23)
Published: April 6, 2024
Abstract
Interactions
between
membranes
and
biomolecular
condensates
can
give
rise
to
complex
phenomena
such
as
wetting
transitions,
mutual
remodeling,
endocytosis.
In
this
study,
light‐triggered
manipulation
of
condensate
engulfment
is
demonstrated
using
giant
vesicles
containing
photoswitchable
lipids.
UV
irradiation
increases
the
membrane
area,
which
be
stored
in
nanotubes.
When
contact
with
a
droplet,
light
triggers
rapid
endocytosis,
reverted
by
blue
light.
The
affinity
protein‐rich
reversibility
processes
quantified
from
confocal
microscopy
images.
degree
photo‐induced
engulfment,
whether
partial
or
complete,
depends
on
vesicle
excess
area
relative
sizes
condensates.
Theoretical
estimates
suggest
that
utilizing
light‐induced
increase
vesicle‐condensate
adhesion
interface
energetically
more
favorable
than
energy
gain
folding
into
invaginations
tubes.
overall
findings
demonstrate
membrane‐condensate
interactions
easily
quickly
modulated
via
light,
providing
versatile
system
for
building
platforms
control
cellular
events
design
intelligent
drug
delivery
systems
cell
repair.
Abstract
Liquid‒liquid
phase
separation
(LLPS)
has
emerged
as
a
key
mechanism
for
organizing
cellular
spaces
independent
of
membranes.
Biomolecular
condensates,
which
assemble
through
LLPS,
exhibit
distinctive
liquid
droplet-like
behavior
and
can
exchange
constituents
with
their
surroundings.
The
regulation
condensate
phases,
including
transitions
from
state
to
gel
or
irreversible
aggregates,
is
important
physiological
functions
controlling
pathological
progression,
observed
in
neurodegenerative
diseases
cancer.
While
early
studies
on
biomolecular
condensates
focused
primarily
those
fluidic
environments
such
the
cytosol,
recent
discoveries
have
revealed
existence
close
proximity
to,
on,
even
comprising
aim
this
review
provide
an
overview
properties
membrane-associated
context
biological
relation
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
121(26)
Published: June 20, 2024
Cellular
membranes
exhibit
a
multitude
of
highly
curved
morphologies
such
as
buds,
nanotubes,
cisterna-like
sheets
defining
the
outlines
organelles.
Here,
we
mimic
cell
compartmentation
using
an
aqueous
two-phase
system
dextran
and
poly(ethylene
glycol)
encapsulated
in
giant
vesicles.
Upon
osmotic
deflation,
vesicle
membrane
forms
which
undergo
surprising
morphological
transformations
at
liquid–liquid
interfaces
inside
At
these
interfaces,
nanotubes
transform
into
double-membrane
(DMS)
connected
to
mother
via
short
necks.
Using
super-resolution
(stimulated
emission
depletion)
microscopy
theoretical
considerations,
construct
morphology
diagram
predicting
tube-to-sheet
transformation,
is
driven
by
decrease
free
energy.
Nanotube
knots
can
prohibit
transformation
blocking
water
influx
tubes.
Because
both
DMSs
are
frequently
formed
cellular
membranes,
understanding
formation
between
provides
insight
origin
evolution
Advanced Materials,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 9, 2025
Protein
phase
transitions
play
a
vital
role
in
both
cellular
functions
and
pathogenesis.
Dispersed
proteins
can
undergo
liquid-liquid
separation
to
form
condensates,
process
that
is
reversible
highly
regulated
within
cells.
The
formation
physicochemical
properties
of
these
such
as
composition,
viscosity,
multiphase
miscibility,
are
precisely
modulated
fulfill
specific
biological
functions.
However,
protein
condensates
further
liquid-to-solid
state,
forming
β-sheet-rich
aggregates
may
disrupt
function
lead
diseases.
While
this
phenomenon
crucial
for
processes
has
significant
implications
neurodegenerative
diseases,
the
behavior
naturally
derived
or
engineered
polypeptides
also
presents
opportunities
developing
high-performance,
multifunctional
materials
at
various
scales.
Additionally,
unique
molecular
recruitment
capabilities
inspire
innovative
advancements
biomaterial
design
applications
drug
discovery,
delivery,
biosynthesis.
This
work
highlights
recent
progress
understanding
mechanisms
underlying
behavior,
particularly
how
it
responds
internal
changes
external
physical
stimuli.
Furthermore,
fabrication
from
diverse
sources
through
controlled
demonstrated.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
16(1)
Published: March 20, 2025
Abstract
Biomolecular
condensates
play
a
central
role
in
cellular
processes
by
interacting
with
membranes
driving
wetting
transitions
and
inducing
mutual
remodeling.
While
are
known
to
locally
alter
membrane
properties
such
as
lipid
packing
hydration,
it
remains
unclear
how
composition
phase
state
turn
affect
condensate
affinity.
Here,
we
show
that
is
not
only
the
itself,
but
rather
degree
of
determines
affinity
for
membranes.
Increasing
chain
length,
saturation,
or
cholesterol
content,
enhances
packing,
thereby
decreasing
interaction.
This
regulatory
mechanism
consistent
across
various
condensate-membrane
systems,
highlighting
critical
interface.
In
addition,
protein
adsorption
promotes
extensive
remodeling,
including
formation
tubes
double-membrane
sheets.
Our
findings
reveal
which
fine-tunes
wetting,
its
potential
impact
on
functions
organelle
interactions.