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Sequence determinants and solution conditions underlying liquid to solid phase transition.
Yuxuan Li1,2, Taoyu Chen1,2, Kaiqing You1,3
1Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology
|December 12, 2022
Summary
Biomolecular condensates transition from liquid to solid states. Sequence characteristics and solution conditions, like pH and ions, influence this liquid-to-solid phase transition (LST), impacting condensate formation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Biomolecules, including proteins and nucleic acids, form liquid droplets via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS).
- Stronger interactions can lead to solid-like biomolecular condensates, also known as detergent-insoluble aggregates, which form both physiologically and pathologically in vivo.
- The formation mechanisms of these solid condensates are not fully understood, but liquid-to-solid phase transition (LST) is increasingly recognized as a key process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the factors influencing the liquid-to-solid phase transition (LST) in biomolecular condensates.
- To highlight the role of sequence characteristics and solution conditions in LST.
- To summarize methods for studying solid condensate components.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on biomolecular condensate formation.
- Analysis of sequence-dependent effects on phase transitions.
- Discussion of solution conditions (protein concentration, pH, ATP, ions, small molecules) affecting LST.
- Summary of experimental techniques, including low-throughput and high-throughput omics methods.
Main Results:
- Specific sequence regions within biomolecules significantly impact the phase transition process.
- LST is demonstrably influenced by various solution conditions, such as pH, ion concentration, and the presence of ATP or small molecules.
- Established methods exist for investigating the components of solid-phase condensates.
Conclusions:
- The liquid-to-solid phase transition (LST) is a critical mechanism for forming solid biomolecular condensates.
- Sequence characteristics and environmental factors are key determinants of LST.
- A range of experimental and omics methods are available for studying these transitions and condensate components.
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