Droplet Differentiation by a Chemical Switch

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Xi Chen - , Chair of Theory of Polymers at Interfaces, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Rabea Seyboldt - , Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (Author)
  • Jens Uwe Sommer - , Clusters of Excellence PoL: Physics of Life, Chair of Theory of Polymers at Interfaces, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Frank Jülicher - , Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Center for Systems Biology Dresden (CSBD), TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Tyler Harmon - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)

Abstract

A fundamental question about biomolecular condensates is how distinct condensates can emerge from the interplay of different components. Here we present a minimal model of droplet differentiation where phase separated droplets demix into two types with different chemical modifications triggered by enzymatic reactions. We use numerical solutions to Cahn-Hilliard equations with chemical reactions and an effective droplet model to reveal the switchlike behavior. Our work shows how condensate identities in cells could result from competing enzymatic actions.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number028402
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume133
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 12 Jul 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 39073969

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas