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Biomolecular condensates regulate cellular electrochemical equilibria.

Yifan Dai1, Zhengqing Zhou2, Wen Yu3

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA.

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|September 11, 2024
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Biomolecular condensates, not just ion channels, control bacterial cell electrochemistry. Condensate formation alters pH and membrane potential, impacting gene expression and antibiotic survival.

Keywords:
antibioticsbiomolecular condensateselectrochemical features of condensatesglobal cellular physiologyintracellular electrochemistryion fluxmembrane potential

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Area of Science:

  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Cellular electrochemical environment is primarily controlled by ion channels.
  • The role of biomolecular condensates in regulating cellular electrochemistry is largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of biomolecular condensate formation on the electrochemical environment in bacterial cells.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which condensates influence cellular processes and antibiotic resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized bacterial cell models to induce and observe biomolecular condensate formation.
  • Measured key electrochemical parameters such as cytoplasmic pH and membrane potential.
  • Analyzed global gene expression profiles and bacterial survival rates under antibiotic stress.

Main Results:

  • Biomolecular condensate formation creates an electric potential gradient, significantly altering cytoplasmic pH and membrane potential.
  • Condensates amplify cell-to-cell variability in electrochemical properties.
  • Modulation of electrochemical equilibria by condensates enhances bacterial survival under antibiotic stress.
  • Condensate-mediated electrochemical shifts drive global changes in gene expression.

Conclusions:

  • Biomolecular condensates play a crucial role in modulating the intracellular electrochemical environment of bacterial cells.
  • Condensates influence global cellular physiology, gene expression, and antibiotic resistance beyond the functions of their constituent molecules.
  • This study reveals a novel regulatory mechanism for bacterial cells mediated by biomolecular condensates.