Surface Electrostatics Govern the Emulsion Stability of Biomolecular Condensates
Publikation: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift › Forschungsartikel › Beigetragen › Begutachtung
Beitragende
Abstract
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 in the test tube and inside cells. This stability is crucial for their function, but the physicochemical mechanisms that control the emulsion stability of condensates remain poorly understood. Here, by combining single-condensate zeta potential measurements, optical microscopy, tweezer experiments, and multiscale molecular modeling, we investigate how the nanoscale forces that sustain condensates impact their stability against fusion. By comparing peptide-RNA (PR25:PolyU) and proteinaceous (FUS) condensates, we show that a higher condensate surface charge correlates with a lower fusion propensity. Moreover, measurements of single condensate zeta potentials reveal that such systems can constitute classically stable emulsions. Taken together, these results highlight the role of passive stabilization mechanisms in protecting biomolecular condensates against coalescence.
Details
Originalsprache | Englisch |
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Seiten (von - bis) | 612-621 |
Seitenumfang | 10 |
Fachzeitschrift | Nano letters |
Jahrgang | 22 |
Ausgabenummer | 2 |
Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - 10 Jan. 2022 |
Peer-Review-Status | Ja |
Externe IDs
Scopus | 85123385700 |
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WOS | 000745242500001 |
Mendeley | de0c9c6c-7fd4-3408-ad0a-326babfb1262 |
ORCID | /0000-0003-4017-6505/work/142253795 |
Schlagworte
Forschungsprofillinien der TU Dresden
DFG-Fachsystematik nach Fachkollegium
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
Schlagwörter
- Biomolecular Condensates, Emulsions, Proteins/chemistry, RNA/chemistry, Static Electricity, FUS, zeta potential, Liquid-liquid phase separation, colloid stability, microfluidics, Liquid−liquid phase separation, Fus, Zeta potential, Colloid stability, Microfluidics