Micellization: A new principle in the formation of biomolecular condensates
Phase separation is a fundamental mechanism for compartmentalization in cells and leads to the formation of biomolecular condensates, generally containing various RNA molecules. RNAs are biomolecules that can serve as suitable scaffolds for biomolecular condensates and determine their forms and func...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2022.974772/full |
| _version_ | 1818083057655087104 |
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| author | Tomohiro Yamazaki Tetsuya Yamamoto Tetsuro Hirose Tetsuro Hirose |
| author_facet | Tomohiro Yamazaki Tetsuya Yamamoto Tetsuro Hirose Tetsuro Hirose |
| author_sort | Tomohiro Yamazaki |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Phase separation is a fundamental mechanism for compartmentalization in cells and leads to the formation of biomolecular condensates, generally containing various RNA molecules. RNAs are biomolecules that can serve as suitable scaffolds for biomolecular condensates and determine their forms and functions. Many studies have focused on biomolecular condensates formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), one type of intracellular phase separation mechanism. We recently identified that paraspeckle nuclear bodies use an intracellular phase separation mechanism called micellization of block copolymers in their formation. The paraspeckles are scaffolded by NEAT1_2 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their partner RNA-binding proteins (NEAT1_2 RNA-protein complexes [RNPs]). The NEAT1_2 RNPs act as block copolymers and the paraspeckles assemble through micellization. In LLPS, condensates grow without bound as long as components are available and typically have spherical shapes to minimize surface tension. In contrast, the size, shape, and internal morphology of the condensates are more strictly controlled in micellization. Here, we discuss the potential importance and future perspectives of micellization of block copolymers of RNPs in cells, including the construction of designer condensates with optimal internal organization, shape, and size according to design guidelines of block copolymers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T19:31:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c393e9ac885142dbb66ae662665ca267 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-889X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T19:31:57Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-c393e9ac885142dbb66ae662665ca2672022-12-22T01:36:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences2296-889X2022-08-01910.3389/fmolb.2022.974772974772Micellization: A new principle in the formation of biomolecular condensatesTomohiro Yamazaki0Tetsuya Yamamoto1Tetsuro Hirose2Tetsuro Hirose3Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, JapanInstitute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, JapanGraduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, JapanInstitute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Suita, JapanPhase separation is a fundamental mechanism for compartmentalization in cells and leads to the formation of biomolecular condensates, generally containing various RNA molecules. RNAs are biomolecules that can serve as suitable scaffolds for biomolecular condensates and determine their forms and functions. Many studies have focused on biomolecular condensates formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), one type of intracellular phase separation mechanism. We recently identified that paraspeckle nuclear bodies use an intracellular phase separation mechanism called micellization of block copolymers in their formation. The paraspeckles are scaffolded by NEAT1_2 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their partner RNA-binding proteins (NEAT1_2 RNA-protein complexes [RNPs]). The NEAT1_2 RNPs act as block copolymers and the paraspeckles assemble through micellization. In LLPS, condensates grow without bound as long as components are available and typically have spherical shapes to minimize surface tension. In contrast, the size, shape, and internal morphology of the condensates are more strictly controlled in micellization. Here, we discuss the potential importance and future perspectives of micellization of block copolymers of RNPs in cells, including the construction of designer condensates with optimal internal organization, shape, and size according to design guidelines of block copolymers.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2022.974772/fulllong non-coding RNA (lncRNA)architectural RNA (arcRNA)micellizationblock copolymer (BCP)NEAT1paraspeckle |
| spellingShingle | Tomohiro Yamazaki Tetsuya Yamamoto Tetsuro Hirose Tetsuro Hirose Micellization: A new principle in the formation of biomolecular condensates Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) architectural RNA (arcRNA) micellization block copolymer (BCP) NEAT1 paraspeckle |
| title | Micellization: A new principle in the formation of biomolecular condensates |
| title_full | Micellization: A new principle in the formation of biomolecular condensates |
| title_fullStr | Micellization: A new principle in the formation of biomolecular condensates |
| title_full_unstemmed | Micellization: A new principle in the formation of biomolecular condensates |
| title_short | Micellization: A new principle in the formation of biomolecular condensates |
| title_sort | micellization a new principle in the formation of biomolecular condensates |
| topic | long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) architectural RNA (arcRNA) micellization block copolymer (BCP) NEAT1 paraspeckle |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2022.974772/full |
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