Chain collapse, reduced dielectric, and water release drive protein phase separation

Biomolecular condensates represent unique microenvironments that organize intracellular biology and promote biochemical reactions. However, the biomolecular interactions driving condensate phase separation are often weak, transient, and heterogeneous. Investigating the structural biology and chemical properties of condensate interiors has therefore proven experimentally challenging, often requiring the use of perturbative probes. To overcome this challenge, we combine label-free optical scattering and vibrational spectroscopy approaches spanning ultraviolet, visible, mid-infrared, and terahertz wavelengths with deep-learning-based ensemble prediction of intrinsically disordered protein conformations. This suite of label-free approaches provides quantitative insights into protein-protein/protein-solvent interactions and the chemical properties of condensate interiors. Investigating the N-terminal domain of the RNA DEAD-box helicase 4, our experimental and computational results support a model of phase separation involving protein chain collapse, reduced dielectric, and water release. These molecular events are expected to enhance the strength of multivalent protein-protein interactions within condensates, creating a positive-feedback loop important for condensate growth and phase separation.