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Theoretical limits for sensing through phase separation
Henry Alston1, Mason Rouches2, Arvind Murugan2
1Laboratoire de physique de l'École normale supérieure, CNRS, Paris Sciences et Lettres University, Sorbonne Université, and Université Paris-Cité, Paris 75005, France.
Summary
Cells use phase separation to rapidly sense small molecule concentration changes. This biomolecular condensate formation mechanism allows for quick cellular responses to environmental shifts within minutes.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Biomolecular condensates form rapidly in response to cellular changes.
- Condensate formation is proposed as a mechanism for sensing environmental shifts and initiating cellular processes.
- Examples include stress granule formation and amplification of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how phase separation enables cells to detect small concentration differences.
- To analyze the dynamics of droplet nucleation and growth in condensate formation.
- To propose optimal sensing protocols leveraging the phase separation phenomenon.
Main Methods:
- Development of a dynamical model for droplet nucleation and growth.
- Analysis of phase separation dynamics.
- Incorporation of experimentally measured rates into the model.
Main Results:
- Phase separation allows discrimination of small concentration differences on biologically relevant timescales.
- Optimal sensing protocols utilizing the sharp onset of phase separation were proposed.
- Cells can achieve rapid and robust sensing of concentration differences within minutes.
Conclusions:
- Phase separation provides a mechanism for rapid and sensitive cellular detection of concentration changes.
- This process offers an alternative to classical biochemical sensing mechanisms.
- Biomolecular condensates play a crucial role in cellular environmental sensing and response.
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