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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
09:01
Using Solution NMR to Characterize Biomolecular Condensates Under Biphasic Conditions
Published on: April 17, 2026
Viral replication through phase separation: Cytosolic and nuclear condensates
Jann Stäbler1, Ariana Cosic1, Claudio Aguilar1
1Institute of Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Virology
|August 11, 2026
Summary
Viruses create specialized compartments using liquid-liquid phase separation to replicate efficiently. These dynamic biomolecular condensates (BCs) are crucial for viral genome replication and assembly, offering therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Virology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites relying on host machinery for replication.
- Viral replication occurs in specialized intracellular hubs known as biomolecular condensates (BCs).
- These BCs are formed via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), creating dynamic replication compartments (RCs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of LLPS in organizing viral replication compartments (RCs).
- To highlight virus-specific and conserved mechanisms of viral BC formation.
- To discuss the implications of BC formation for viral replication, host immunity, and therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on viral replication and biomolecular condensates.
- Focus on RNA and DNA viruses replicating in the cytosol or nucleus.
- Analysis of viral protein structures, biophysical forces, and post-translational modifications.
Main Results:
- Viral replication compartments (RCs) are dynamic BCs driven by LLPS.
- Viral proteins with intrinsically disordered regions facilitate BC formation through multivalent interactions.
- BC properties are regulated by post-translational modifications, influencing replication efficiency.
Conclusions:
- LLPS is a fundamental organizing principle for viral replication compartments (RCs).
- Viral BCs provide concentrated, dynamic platforms essential for viral genome replication, transcription, and assembly.
- Understanding viral BCs offers insights into host-pathogen interactions and potential therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
BCsCytoplasmDNA virusInclusion bodyIntrinsically disordered proteinLiquid-liquid phase separationMembranelessNucleusPost-translational modificationRCRNA virusViroplasmMore Related Videos
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