Biomolecular condensates – extant relics or evolving microcompartments?
Abstract Unprecedented discoveries during the past decade have unearthed the ubiquitous presence of biomolecular condensates (BCs) in diverse organisms and their involvement in a plethora of biological functions. A predominant number of BCs involve coacervation of RNA and proteins that demix from ho...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Communications Biology |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-04963-3 |
| _version_ | 1797795524735139840 |
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| author | Vijayaraghavan Rangachari |
| author_facet | Vijayaraghavan Rangachari |
| author_sort | Vijayaraghavan Rangachari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Unprecedented discoveries during the past decade have unearthed the ubiquitous presence of biomolecular condensates (BCs) in diverse organisms and their involvement in a plethora of biological functions. A predominant number of BCs involve coacervation of RNA and proteins that demix from homogenous solutions by a process of phase separation well described by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which results in a phase with higher concentration and density from the bulk solution. BCs provide a simple and effective means to achieve reversible spatiotemporal control of cellular processes and adaptation to environmental stimuli in an energy-independent manner. The journey into the past of this phenomenon provides clues to the evolutionary origins of life itself. Here I assemble some current and historic discoveries on LLPS to contemplate whether BCs are extant biological hubs or evolving microcompartments. I conclude that BCs in biology could be extant as a phenomenon but are co-evolving as functionally and compositionally complex microcompartments in cells alongside the membrane-bound organelles. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:19:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-916498f54f184e9fbd3a873d90981c92 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2399-3642 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:19:17Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-916498f54f184e9fbd3a873d90981c922023-06-25T11:24:59ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Biology2399-36422023-06-01611810.1038/s42003-023-04963-3Biomolecular condensates – extant relics or evolving microcompartments?Vijayaraghavan Rangachari0Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Southern MississippiAbstract Unprecedented discoveries during the past decade have unearthed the ubiquitous presence of biomolecular condensates (BCs) in diverse organisms and their involvement in a plethora of biological functions. A predominant number of BCs involve coacervation of RNA and proteins that demix from homogenous solutions by a process of phase separation well described by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which results in a phase with higher concentration and density from the bulk solution. BCs provide a simple and effective means to achieve reversible spatiotemporal control of cellular processes and adaptation to environmental stimuli in an energy-independent manner. The journey into the past of this phenomenon provides clues to the evolutionary origins of life itself. Here I assemble some current and historic discoveries on LLPS to contemplate whether BCs are extant biological hubs or evolving microcompartments. I conclude that BCs in biology could be extant as a phenomenon but are co-evolving as functionally and compositionally complex microcompartments in cells alongside the membrane-bound organelles.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-04963-3 |
| spellingShingle | Vijayaraghavan Rangachari Biomolecular condensates – extant relics or evolving microcompartments? Communications Biology |
| title | Biomolecular condensates – extant relics or evolving microcompartments? |
| title_full | Biomolecular condensates – extant relics or evolving microcompartments? |
| title_fullStr | Biomolecular condensates – extant relics or evolving microcompartments? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biomolecular condensates – extant relics or evolving microcompartments? |
| title_short | Biomolecular condensates – extant relics or evolving microcompartments? |
| title_sort | biomolecular condensates extant relics or evolving microcompartments |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-04963-3 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vijayaraghavanrangachari biomolecularcondensatesextantrelicsorevolvingmicrocompartments |