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Beyond Langmuir: surface-bound macromolecule condensates
1Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
Molecular Biology of the Cell
|October 29, 2020
Summary
This study proposes that macromolecule condensates form on surfaces via multilayer adsorption, inspired by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) theory. These surface-bound condensates can assemble at low concentrations, influencing cellular processes like gene regulation.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Macromolecule condensates and membraneless compartments are key in cell biology.
- Surface binding and multilayer adsorption are emerging concepts for condensate formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the hypothesis that condensates assemble on multivalent surfaces through multilayer adsorption.
- To present a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET)-inspired model for surface-bound condensate formation.
Main Methods:
- Review of Langmuir and BET isotherm theories.
- Development of a BET-inspired biochemical model for protein self-association on surfaces.
- Analysis of Tau binding to microtubules as a test case.
Main Results:
- The model predicts "bound condensates" forming via multilayer adsorption on surfaces.
- These condensates assemble below saturation concentration for liquid-liquid phase separation.
- Surface-bound condensates can outcompete phase-separated droplets for subunits and are pinned to the surface.
Conclusions:
- Surface-bound condensates offer a mechanism for spatially constrained assembly.
- This mechanism has potential applications in biological regulation, such as gene regulation.
- Tau binding to microtubules presents a complex but relevant biological example for surface-bound condensates.
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