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Concentration buffering and noise reduction in non-equilibrium phase-separating systems.
Christoph Zechner1, Frank Jülicher2
1Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany; Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Faculty of Computer Science, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Cell Systems
|February 8, 2025
Summary
Biomolecular condensates may not buffer concentrations or require fixed saturation concentrations for noise reduction. Our analysis shows these concepts are distinct and not always necessary for effective cellular noise control.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Biomolecular condensates are hypothesized to buffer intracellular concentrations and reduce cellular noise.
- However, multicomponent systems may not require concentration buffering, leading to variable saturation concentrations (csat).
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically analyze the relationship between concentration buffering, saturation concentration, and noise reduction in mesoscopic fluctuating systems.
- To clarify whether concentration buffering and a constant csat are necessary for effective noise reduction.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of mesoscopic fluctuating systems.
- Examination of equilibrium considerations in multicomponent systems.
Main Results:
- Concentration buffering and noise reduction are distinct phenomena and not interchangeable.
- Constant saturation concentration (csat) is neither necessary nor sufficient for effective noise reduction.
- The proposed link between buffering and noise reduction does not hold for mesoscopic systems.
Conclusions:
- Established concepts of concentration buffering and noise reduction require re-evaluation in the context of mesoscopic fluctuating systems.
- Clarity on these distinct concepts is crucial for understanding the role of biomolecular condensates in cellular noise regulation.
- The findings impact the interpretation of concentration-dependent relationships within cellular environments.
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