ATP biphasically modulates LLPS of TDP-43 PLD by specifically binding arginine residues

Mysteriously neurons maintain ATP concentrations of ~3 mM but whether ATP modulates TDP-43 LLPS remains completely unexplored. Here we characterized the effect of ATP on LLPS of TDP-43 PLD and seven mutants by DIC and NMR. The results revealed: 1) ATP induces and subsequently dissolves LLPS of TDP-43 PLD by specifically binding Arg saturated at 1:100. 2) ATP modifies the conformation-specific electrostatic property beyond just imposing screening effect. 3) Reversibility of LLPS of TDP-43 PLD and further exaggeration into aggregation appear to be controlled by a delicate network composed of both attractive and inhibitory interactions. Results together establish that ATP might be a universal but specific regulator for most, if not all, R-containing intrinsically-disordered regions by altering physicochemical properties, conformations, dynamics, LLPS and aggregation. Under physiological conditions, TDP-43 is highly bound with ATP and thus inhibited for LLPS, highlighting a central role of ATP in cell physiology, pathology and aging.