Synthesis and Characterization of Phase-Separated Extracellular Condensates in Interactions with Cells

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Biomolecular condensates are crucial for intracellular organization and signaling via liquid-liquid phase separation.
• Their roles in extracellular environments are largely unknown.
• Heparan sulfate is a key component of the extracellular matrix.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a model for studying extracellular condensate-cell interactions using heparan sulfate.
• To investigate the formation, stability, and properties of extracellular condensates.
• To explore the adhesion dynamics between extracellular condensates and cell membranes.

Main Methods:

• Formation of heparan sulfate condensates with a positively charged counterpart in serum-containing solutions.
• Observation of condensate-cell membrane adhesion and stability.
• Quantification of condensate rheological properties and adhesion forces.

Main Results:

• Heparan sulfate forms stable extracellular condensates in complex solutions that support cell viability.
• These condensates adhere to cell membranes.
• A platform was developed to study extracellular condensate dynamics and mechanics.

Conclusions:

• Heparan sulfate can form functional extracellular condensates.
• These findings provide a model for investigating extracellular condensate-cell interactions.
• This work expands the understanding of biomolecular condensates beyond cellular boundaries.