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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
09:01
Using Solution NMR to Characterize Biomolecular Condensates Under Biphasic Conditions
Published on: April 17, 2026
Biomolecular condensates can function as inherent catalysts
Michael W Chen1, Xiao Guo1, Mina Farag1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomolecular Condensates, James F. McKelvey School of Engineering Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
Molecular Cell
|July 24, 2026
Summary
Biomolecular condensates, formed by disordered proteins, exhibit novel catalytic functions. These "condenzymes" leverage unique microenvironments to perform hydrolysis, impacting cellular processes like gene regulation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Biomolecular condensates are dynamic cellular structures.
- Their unique solvent environments may influence biochemical reactions.
- Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are key components of many condensates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the inherent catalytic activities of biomolecular condensates.
- To understand the role of phase separation in generating catalytic functions.
- To explore the potential of condensates as novel enzymatic entities.
Main Methods:
- Formation of protein condensates from intrinsically disordered proteins.
- Characterization of condensate-associated electrochemical microenvironments.
- Assays for hydrolytic activity on various biological substrates.
- Sequence design to modulate condensate interfacial properties.
- In vivo experiments using synthetic condensates in live cells.
Main Results:
- Condensates formed by IDPs exhibit significant hydrolytic catalytic activity.
- Catalysis is dependent on phase separation-induced mesoscale electrochemical microenvironments.
- Interfacial electric fields and water activity within condensates control catalytic efficiency.
- Synthetic condensates in cells alter transcription profiles and activate gene circuits.
Conclusions:
- Biomolecular condensates can possess emergent catalytic functions not present in their constituent proteins.
- These functions arise from unique mesoscale electrochemical properties.
- Condensates act as
- condenzymes,
- mediating hydrolysis and influencing cellular pathways.
- This work expands the known functional repertoire of biomolecular condensates.
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