1
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Wan L, Ke J, Zhu Y, Zhang W, Mu W. Recent advances in engineering synthetic biomolecular condensates. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 77:108452. [PMID: 39271032 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 09/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are intriguing entities found within living cells. These structures possess the ability to selectively concentrate specific components through phase separation, thereby playing a crucial role in the spatiotemporal regulation of a wide range of cellular processes and metabolic activities. To date, extensive studies have been dedicated to unraveling the intricate connections between molecular features, physical properties, and cellular functions of condensates. This collective effort has paved the way for deliberate engineering of tailor-made condensates with specific applications. In this review, we comprehensively examine the underpinnings governing condensate formation. Next, we summarize the material states of condensates and delve into the design of synthetic intrinsically disordered proteins with tunable phase behaviors and physical properties. Subsequently, we review the diverse biological functions demonstrated by synthetic biomolecular condensates, encompassing gene regulation, cellular behaviors, modulation of biochemical reactions, and manipulation of endogenous protein activities. Lastly, we discuss future challenges and opportunities in constructing synthetic condensates with tunable physical properties and customized cellular functions, which may shed light on the development of new types of sophisticated condensate systems with distinct functions applicable to various scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Juntao Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yingying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Wenli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Wanmeng Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
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2
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Mondal M, Jankoski PE, Lee LD, Dinakarapandian DM, Chiu TY, Swetman WS, Wu H, Paravastu AK, Clemons TD, Rangachari V. Reversible Disulfide Bond Cross-Links as Tunable Levers of Phase Separation in Designer Biomolecular Condensates. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:25299-25311. [PMID: 39196681 PMCID: PMC11403603 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c09557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates (BCs) are membraneless hubs enriched with proteins and nucleic acids that have emerged as important players in many cellular functions. Uncovering the sequence determinants of proteins for phase separation is essential in understanding the biophysical and biochemical properties of BCs. Despite significant discoveries in the past decade, the role of cysteine residues in BC formation and dissolution has remained unknown. Here, to uncover the involvement of disulfide cross-links and their redox sensitivity in BCs, we designed a "stickers and spacers" model of phase-separating peptides interspersed with cysteines. Through biophysical investigations, we learned that cysteines promote liquid-liquid phase separation in oxidizing conditions and perpetuate liquid condensates through disulfide cross-links, which can be reversibly tuned with redox chemistry. By varying the composition of cysteines, subtle but distinct changes in the viscoelastic behavior of the condensates were observed. Empirically, we conclude that cysteines function neither as stickers nor spacers but as covalent nodes to lower the effective concentrations for sticker interactions and inhibit system-spanning percolation networks. Together, we unmask the possible role of cysteines in the formation of biomolecular condensates and their potential use as tunable covalent cross-linkers in developing redox-sensitive viscoelastic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malay Mondal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | - Penelope E Jankoski
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | - Landon D Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | - Daniel M Dinakarapandian
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0002, United States
| | - Tzu-Ying Chiu
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0002, United States
| | - Windfield S Swetman
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | - Hongwei Wu
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0002, United States
| | - Anant K Paravastu
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0002, United States
| | - Tristan D Clemons
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | - Vijayaraghavan Rangachari
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
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3
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Song S, Ivanov T, Yuan D, Wang J, da Silva LC, Xie J, Cao S. Peptide-Based Biomimetic Condensates via Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation as Biomedical Delivery Vehicles. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:5468-5488. [PMID: 39178343 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are dynamic liquid droplets through intracellular liquid-liquid phase separation that function as membraneless organelles, which are highly involved in various complex cellular processes and functions. Artificial analogs formed via similar pathways that can be integrated with biological complexity and advanced functions have received tremendous research interest in the field of synthetic biology. The coacervate droplet-based compartments can partition and concentrate a wide range of solutes, which are regarded as attractive candidates for mimicking phase-separation behaviors and biophysical features of biomolecular condensates. The use of peptide-based materials as phase-separating components has advantages such as the diversity of amino acid residues and customized sequence design, which allows for programming their phase-separation behaviors and the physicochemical properties of the resulting compartments. In this Perspective, we highlight the recent advancements in the design and construction of biomimicry condensates from synthetic peptides relevant to intracellular phase-separating protein, with specific reference to their molecular design, self-assembly via phase separation, and biorelated applications, to envisage the use of peptide-based droplets as emerging biomedical delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Song
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | | | - Dandan Yuan
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Jianqiang Wang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | | | - Jing Xie
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shoupeng Cao
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
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4
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Chen C, Ganar KA, de Haas RJ, Jarnot N, Hogeveen E, de Vries R, Deshpande S. Elastin-like polypeptide coacervates as reversibly triggerable compartments for synthetic cells. Commun Chem 2024; 7:198. [PMID: 39232074 PMCID: PMC11374812 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01270-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Compartmentalization is a vital aspect of living cells to orchestrate intracellular processes. In a similar vein, constructing dynamic and responsive sub-compartments is key to synthetic cell engineering. In recent years, liquid-liquid phase separation via coacervation has offered an innovative avenue for creating membraneless organelles (MOs) within artificial cells. Here, we present a lab-on-a-chip system to reversibly trigger peptide-based coacervates within cell-mimicking confinements. We use double emulsion droplets (DEs) as our synthetic cell containers while pH-responsive elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) act as the coacervate system. We first present a high-throughput microfluidic DE production enabling efficient encapsulation of the ELPs. The DEs are then harvested to perform multiple MO formation-dissolution cycles using pH as well as temperature variation. For controlled long-term visualization and modulation of the external environment, we developed an integrated microfluidic device for trapping and environmental stimulation of DEs, with negligible mechanical force, and demonstrated a proof-of-principle osmolyte-based triggering to induce multiple MO formation-dissolution cycles. In conclusion, our work showcases the use of DEs and ELPs in designing membraneless reversible compartmentalization within synthetic cells via physicochemical triggers. Additionally, presented on-chip platform can be applied over a wide range of phase separation and vesicle systems for applications in synthetic cells and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Chen
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ketan A Ganar
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert J de Haas
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nele Jarnot
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Erwin Hogeveen
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Renko de Vries
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Siddharth Deshpande
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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5
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Castelletto V, Seitsonen J, Pollitt A, Hamley IW. Minimal Peptide Sequences That Undergo Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation via Self-Coacervation or Complex Coacervation with ATP. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:5321-5331. [PMID: 39066731 PMCID: PMC11323023 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The simple (self-)coacervation of the minimal tryptophan/arginine peptide sequences W2R2 and W3R3 was observed in salt-free aqueous solution. The phase diagrams were mapped using turbidimetry and optical microscopy, and the coacervate droplets were imaged using confocal microscopy complemented by cryo-TEM to image smaller droplets. The droplet size distribution and stability were probed using dynamic light scattering, and the droplet surface potential was obtained from zeta potential measurements. SAXS was used to elucidate the structure within the coacervate droplets, and circular dichroism spectroscopy was used to probe the conformation of the peptides, a characteristic signature for cation-π interactions being present under conditions of coacervation. These observations were rationalized using a simple model for the Rayleigh stability of charged coacervate droplets, along with atomistic molecular dynamics simulations which provide insight into stabilizing π-π stacking interactions of tryptophan as well as arginine-tryptophan cation-π interactions (which modulate the charge of the tryptophan π-electron system). Remarkably, the dipeptide WR did not show simple coacervation under the conditions examined, but complex coacervation was observed in mixtures with ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The electrostatically stabilized coacervation in this case provides a minimal model for peptide/nucleotide membraneless organelle formation. These are among the simplest model peptide systems observed to date able to undergo either simple or complex coacervation and are of future interest as protocell systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Castelletto
- School
of Chemistry, Food Biosciences and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, U.K.
| | - Jani Seitsonen
- Nanomicroscopy
Center, Aalto University, Puumiehenkuja 2, Espoo 02150, Finland
| | - Alice Pollitt
- Institute
for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AS, U.K.
| | - Ian W. Hamley
- School
of Chemistry, Food Biosciences and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, U.K.
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6
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Chen MW, Fan D, Liu X, Han D, Jin Y, Ao Y, Chen Y, Liu Z, Feng Y, Ling S, Liang K, Kong W, Xu J, Du Y. Water Transport-Induced Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Facilitates Gelation for Controllable and Facile Fabrication of Physically Crosslinked Microgels. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2405109. [PMID: 38845131 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202405109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Physically crosslinked microgels (PCMs) offer a biocompatible platform for various biomedical applications. However, current PCM fabrication methods suffer from their complexity and poor controllability, due to their reliance on altering physical conditions to initiate gelation and their dependence on specific materials. To address this issue, a novel PCM fabrication method is devised, which employs water transport-induced liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) to trigger the intermolecular interaction-supported sol-gel transition within aqueous emulsion droplets. This method enables the controllable and facile generation of PCMs through a single emulsification step, allowing for the facile production of PCMs with various materials and sizes, as well as controllable structures and mechanical properties. Moreover, this PCM fabrication method holds great promise for diverse biomedical applications. The interior of the PCM not only supports the encapsulation and proliferation of bacteria but also facilitates the encapsulation of eukaryotic cells after transforming the system into an all-aqueous emulsion. Furthermore, through appropriate surface functionalization, the PCMs effectively activate T cells in vitro upon coculturing. This work represents an advancement in PCM fabrication and offers new insights and perspectives for microgel engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Dongdong Fan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xiangjian Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Dongbo Han
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yuhong Jin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yanxiao Ao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yuyang Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yiting Feng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Sida Ling
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Kaini Liang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Wenyu Kong
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Jianhong Xu
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yanan Du
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- National Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100039, P. R. China
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7
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Chen F, Jacobs WM. Emergence of Multiphase Condensates from a Limited Set of Chemical Building Blocks. J Chem Theory Comput 2024. [PMID: 39078082 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.4c00323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecules composed of a limited set of chemical building blocks can colocalize into distinct, spatially segregated compartments known as biomolecular condensates. While many condensates are known to form spontaneously via phase separation, it has been unclear how immiscible condensates with precisely controlled molecular compositions assemble from a small number of chemical building blocks. We address this question by establishing a connection between the specificity of biomolecular interactions and the thermodynamic stability of coexisting condensates. By computing the minimum interaction specificity required to assemble condensates with target molecular compositions, we show how to design heteropolymer mixtures that produce compositionally complex condensates by using only a small number of monomer types. Our results provide insight into how compositional specificity arises in naturally occurring multicomponent condensates and demonstrate a rational algorithm for engineering complex artificial condensates from simple chemical building blocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - William M Jacobs
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
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8
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Mondal M, Jankoski PE, Lee LD, Dinakarapandian DM, Chiu TY, Swetman WS, Wu H, Paravastu AK, Clemons TD, Rangachari V. Reversible disulfide bond crosslinks as tunable levers of phase separation in designer biomolecular condensates. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.13.603402. [PMID: 39071339 PMCID: PMC11275914 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.13.603402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates (BCs) are membraneless hubs enriched in proteins and nucleic acids that have become important players in many cellular functions. Uncovering the sequence determinants of proteins for phase separation is important in understanding the biophysical and biochemical properties of BCs. Despite significant discoveries in the last decade, the role of cysteine residues in BC formation and dissolution has remained unknown. Here, to determine the involvement of disulfide crosslinks and their redox sensitivity in BCs, we designed a 'stickers and spacers' model of phase-separating peptides interspersed with cysteines. Through biophysical investigations, we learned that cysteines promote liquid-liquid phase separation in oxidizing conditions and perpetuate liquid condensates through disulfide crosslinks, which can be reversibly tuned with redox chemistry. By varying the composition of cysteines, subtle but distinct changes in the viscoelastic behavior of the condensates were observed. Empirically, we conclude that cysteines are neither stickers nor spacers but function as covalent nodes to lower the effective concentrations for sticker interactions and inhibit system-spanning percolation networks. Together, we unmask the role of cysteines in protein phase behavior and the potential to develop tunable, redox-sensitive viscoelastic materials.
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9
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Smokers IB, Visser BS, Slootbeek AD, Huck WTS, Spruijt E. How Droplets Can Accelerate Reactions─Coacervate Protocells as Catalytic Microcompartments. Acc Chem Res 2024; 57:1885-1895. [PMID: 38968602 PMCID: PMC11256357 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.4c00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
ConspectusCoacervates are droplets formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and are often used as model protocells-primitive cell-like compartments that could have aided the emergence of life. Their continued presence as membraneless organelles in modern cells gives further credit to their relevance. The local physicochemical environment inside coacervates is distinctly different from the surrounding dilute solution and offers an interesting microenvironment for prebiotic reactions. Coacervates can selectively take up reactants and enhance their effective concentration, stabilize products, destabilize reactants and lower transition states, and can therefore play a similar role as micellar catalysts in providing rate enhancement and selectivity in reaction outcome. Rate enhancement and selectivity must have been essential for the origins of life by enabling chemical reactions to occur at appreciable rates and overcoming competition from hydrolysis.In this Accounts, we dissect the mechanisms by which coacervate protocells can accelerate reactions and provide selectivity. These mechanisms can similarly be exploited by membraneless organelles to control cellular processes. First, coacervates can affect the local concentration of reactants and accelerate reactions by copartitioning of reactants or exclusion of a product or inhibitor. Second, the local environment inside the coacervate can change the energy landscape for reactions taking place inside the droplets. The coacervate is more apolar than the surrounding solution and often rich in charged moieties, which can affect the stability of reactants, transition states and products. The crowded nature of the droplets can favor complexation of large molecules such as ribozymes. Their locally different proton and water activity can facilitate reactions involving a (de)protonation step, condensation reactions and reactions that are sensitive to hydrolysis. Not only the coacervate core, but also the surface can accelerate reactions and provides an interesting site for chemical reactions with gradients in pH, water activity and charge. The coacervate is often rich in catalytic amino acids and can localize catalysts like divalent metal ions, leading to further rate enhancement inside the droplets. Lastly, these coacervate properties can favor certain reaction pathways, and thereby give selectivity over the reaction outcome.These mechanisms are further illustrated with a case study on ribozyme reactions inside coacervates, for which there is a fine balance between concentration and reactivity that can be tuned by the coacervate composition. Furthermore, coacervates can both catalyze ribozyme reactions and provide product selectivity, demonstrating that coacervates could have functioned as enzyme-like catalytic microcompartments at the origins of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris B.
A. Smokers
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6523 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Brent S. Visser
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6523 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Annemiek D. Slootbeek
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6523 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wilhelm T. S. Huck
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6523 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6523 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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10
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Brasnett C, Kiani A, Sami S, Otto S, Marrink SJ. Capturing chemical reactions inside biomolecular condensates with reactive Martini simulations. Commun Chem 2024; 7:151. [PMID: 38961263 PMCID: PMC11222477 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01234-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are phase separated systems that play an important role in the spatio-temporal organisation of cells. Their distinct physico-chemical nature offers a unique environment for chemical reactions to occur. The compartmentalisation of chemical reactions is also believed to be central to the development of early life. To demonstrate how molecular dynamics may be used to capture chemical reactions in condensates, here we perform reactive molecular dynamics simulations using the coarse-grained Martini forcefield. We focus on the formation of rings of benzene-1,3-dithiol inside a synthetic peptide-based condensate, and find that the ring size distribution shifts to larger macrocycles compared to when the reaction takes place in an aqueous environment. Moreover, reaction rates are noticeably increased when the peptides simultaneously undergo phase separation, hinting that condensates may act as chaperones in recruiting molecules to reaction hubs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Brasnett
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Armin Kiani
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Selim Sami
- Kenneth S. Pitzer Theory Center and Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Sijbren Otto
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Siewert J Marrink
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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11
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Maraldo A, Rnjak-Kovacina J, Marquis C. Tyrosine - a structural glue for hierarchical protein assembly. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:633-648. [PMID: 38653686 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Protein self-assembly, guided by the interplay of sequence- and environment-dependent liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), constitutes a fundamental process in the assembly of numerous intrinsically disordered proteins. Heuristic examination of these proteins has underscored the role of tyrosine residues, evident in their conservation and pivotal involvement in initiating LLPS and subsequent liquid-solid phase transitions (LSPT). The development of tyrosine-templated constructs, designed to mimic their natural counterparts, emerges as a promising strategy for creating adaptive, self-assembling systems with diverse applications. This review explores the central role of tyrosine in orchestrating protein self-assembly, delving into key interactions and examining its potential in innovative applications, including responsive biomaterials and bioengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Maraldo
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Christopher Marquis
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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12
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Wan L, Zhu Y, Zhang W, Mu W. Recent advances in design and application of synthetic membraneless organelles. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 73:108355. [PMID: 38588907 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Membraneless organelles (MLOs) formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) have been extensively studied due to their spatiotemporal control of biochemical and cellular processes in living cells. These findings have provided valuable insights into the physicochemical principles underlying the formation and functionalization of biomolecular condensates, which paves the way for the development of versatile phase-separating systems capable of addressing a variety of application scenarios. Here, we highlight the potential of constructing synthetic MLOs with programmable and functional properties. Notably, we organize how these synthetic membraneless compartments have been capitalized to manipulate enzymatic activities and metabolic reactions. The aim of this review is to inspire readerships to deeply comprehend the widespread roles of synthetic MLOs in the regulation enzymatic reactions and control of metabolic processes, and to encourage the rational design of controllable and functional membraneless compartments for a broad range of bioengineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yingying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Wenli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Wanmeng Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
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13
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Rekhi S, Garcia CG, Barai M, Rizuan A, Schuster BS, Kiick KL, Mittal J. Expanding the molecular language of protein liquid-liquid phase separation. Nat Chem 2024; 16:1113-1124. [PMID: 38553587 PMCID: PMC11230844 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01489-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the relationship between a polypeptide sequence and its phase separation has important implications for analysing cellular function, treating disease and designing novel biomaterials. Several sequence features have been identified as drivers for protein liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), schematized as a 'molecular grammar' for LLPS. Here we further probe how sequence modulates phase separation and the material properties of the resulting condensates, targeting sequence features previously overlooked in the literature. We generate sequence variants of a repeat polypeptide with either no charged residues, high net charge, no glycine residues or devoid of aromatic or arginine residues. All but one of 12 variants exhibited LLPS, albeit to different extents, despite substantial differences in composition. Furthermore, we find that all the condensates formed behaved like viscous fluids, despite large differences in their viscosities. Our results support the model of multiple interactions between diverse residue pairs-not just a handful of residues-working in tandem to drive the phase separation and dynamics of condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiv Rekhi
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Mayur Barai
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Azamat Rizuan
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin S Schuster
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
| | - Kristi L Kiick
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
| | - Jeetain Mittal
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics and Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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14
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Netzer A, Baruch Leshem A, Veretnik S, Edelstein I, Lampel A. Regulation of Peptide Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation by Aromatic Amino Acid Composition. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2401665. [PMID: 38804888 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202401665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Membraneless organelles are cellular biomolecular condensates that are formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of proteins and nucleic acids. LLPS is driven by multiple weak attractive forces, including intermolecular interactions mediated by aromatic amino acids. Considering the contribution of π-electron bearing side chains to protein-RNA LLPS, systematically study sought to how the composition of aromatic amino acids affects the formation of heterotypic condensates and their physical properties. For this, a library of minimalistic peptide building blocks is designed containing varying number and compositions of aromatic amino acids. It is shown that the number of aromatics in the peptide sequence affect LLPS propensity, material properties and (bio)chemical stability of peptide/RNA heterotypic condensates. The findings shed light on the contribution of aromatics' composition to the formation of heterotypic condensates. These insights can be applied for regulation of condensate material properties and improvement of their (bio)chemical stability, for various biomedical and biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Netzer
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Avigail Baruch Leshem
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Shirel Veretnik
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Ilan Edelstein
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Ayala Lampel
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
- Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
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15
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Zhang Y, Prasad R, Su S, Lee D, Zhou HX. Amino Acid-Dependent Material Properties of Tetrapeptide Condensates. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.14.594233. [PMID: 38798623 PMCID: PMC11118382 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.14.594233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Condensates formed by intrinsically disordered proteins mediate a myriad of cellular processes and are linked to pathological conditions including neurodegeneration. Rules of how different types of amino acids (e.g., π-π pairs) dictate the physical properties of biomolecular condensates are emerging, but our understanding of the roles of different amino acids is far from complete. Here we studied condensates formed by tetrapeptides of the form XXssXX, where X is an amino acid and ss represents a disulfide bond along the backbone. Eight peptides form four types of condensates at different concentrations and pH values: droplets (X = F, L, M, P, V, A); amorphous dense liquids (X = L, M, P, V, A); amorphous aggregates (X = W), and gels (X = I, V, A). The peptides exhibit enormous differences in phase equilibrium and material properties, including a 368-fold range in the threshold concentration for phase separation and a 3856-fold range in viscosity. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations provide physical explanations of these results. The present work also reveals widespread critical behaviors, including critical slowing down manifested by the formation of amorphous dense liquids and critical scaling obeyed by fusion speed, with broad implications for condensate function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Ramesh Prasad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Siyuan Su
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Daesung Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
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16
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Li Y, Dai J, Ma Y, Yao Y, Yu D, Shen J, Wu L. The mitigation potential of synergistic quorum quenching and antibacterial properties for biofilm proliferation and membrane biofouling. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 255:121462. [PMID: 38493743 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Biofouling has been a persistent problem hindering the application of membranes in water treatment, and quorum quenching has been identified as an effective method for mitigating biofouling, but surface accumulation of live bacteria still induces biofilm secretion, which poses a significant challenge for sustained prevention of membrane biofouling. In this study, we utilized quercetin, a typical flavonoid with the dual functions of quorum quenching and bacterial inactivation, to evaluate its role in preventing biofilm proliferation and against biofouling. Quercetin exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and the decreased bioactivity was positively correlated with the quercetin concentration, with inhibition rates of 53.1 % and 57.4 %, respectively, at the experimental concentrations. The RT-qPCR results demonstrated that quercetin inhibited AI-2 of E. coli and AGR of S. aureus mediated quorum sensing system, and reduced the expression of genes such as adhesion, virulence, biofilm secretion, and key regulatory proteases. As a result, the bacterial growth cycle was retarded and the biomass and biofilm maturation cycles were alleviated with the synergistic effect of quorum quenching and antibacterial activity. In addition, membrane biofouling was significantly declined in the dynamic operation experiments, dead cells in the biofilm overwhelmingly dominated, and the final normalized water fluxes were increased by more than 49.9 % and 34.5 % for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. This work demonstrates the potential for mitigating biofouling using protocols that quorum quenching and inactivate bacteria, also provides a unique and long-lasting strategy to alleviate membrane fouling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Information Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
| | - Jixiang Dai
- Information Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Yanjing Ma
- Information Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Yuyang Yao
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Dayang Yu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Food Chain Pollution Control, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Jiangnan Shen
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Lijun Wu
- Information Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
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17
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Juković M, Ratkaj I, Kalafatovic D, Bradshaw NJ. Amyloids, amorphous aggregates and assemblies of peptides - Assessing aggregation. Biophys Chem 2024; 308:107202. [PMID: 38382283 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2024.107202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Amyloid and amorphous aggregates represent the two major categories of aggregates associated with diseases, and although exhibiting distinct features, researchers often treat them as equivalent, which demonstrates the need for more thorough characterization. Here, we compare amyloid and amorphous aggregates based on their biochemical properties, kinetics, and morphological features. To further decipher this issue, we propose the use of peptide self-assemblies as minimalistic models for understanding the aggregation process. Peptide building blocks are significantly smaller than proteins that participate in aggregation, however, they make a plausible means to bridge the gap in discerning the aggregation process at the more complex, protein level. Additionally, we explore the potential use of peptide-inspired models to research the liquid-liquid phase separation as a feasible mechanism preceding amyloid formation. Connecting these concepts can help clarify our understanding of aggregation-related disorders and potentially provide novel drug targets to impede and reverse these serious illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Juković
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Ivana Ratkaj
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Daniela Kalafatovic
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Nicholas J Bradshaw
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
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18
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Bagchi D, Maity A, Chakraborty A. Metal Ion-Induced Unusual Stability of the Metastable Vesicle-like Intermediates Evolving during the Self-Assembly of Phenylalanine: Prominent Role of Surface Charge Inversion. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:4468-4476. [PMID: 38631022 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c00444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The underlying mechanism and intermediate formation in the self-assembly of aromatic amino acids, peptides, and proteins remain elusive despite numerous reports. We, for the first time, report that one can stabilize the intermediates by tuning the metal ion-amino acid interaction. Microscopic and spectroscopic investigations of the self-assembly of carboxybenzyl (Z)-protected phenylalanine (ZF) reveal that the bivalent metal ions eventually lead to the formation of fibrillar networks similar to blank ZF whereas the trivalent ions develop vesicle-like intermediates that do not undergo fibrillation for a prolonged time. The time-lapse measurement of surface charge reveals that the surface charge of blank ZF and in the presence of bivalent metal ions changes from a negative value to zero, implying unstable intermediates leading to the fibril network. Strikingly, a prominent charge inversion from an initial negative value to a positive value in the presence of trivalent metal ions imparts unusual stability to the metastable intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debanjan Bagchi
- Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Department of Chemistry, Indore 453552, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Avijit Maity
- Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Department of Chemistry, Indore 453552, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Anjan Chakraborty
- Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Department of Chemistry, Indore 453552, Madhya Pradesh, India
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19
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Harris R, Veretnik S, Dewan S, Baruch Leshem A, Lampel A. Regulation of enzymatic reactions by chemical composition of peptide biomolecular condensates. Commun Chem 2024; 7:90. [PMID: 38643237 PMCID: PMC11032315 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01174-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are condensed intracellular phases that are formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of proteins, either in the absence or presence of nucleic acids. These condensed phases regulate various biochemical reactions by recruitment of enzymes and substrates. Developments in the field of LLPS facilitated new insights on the regulation of compartmentalized enzymatic reactions. Yet, the influence of condensate chemical composition on enzymatic reactions is still poorly understood. Here, by using peptides as minimalistic condensate building blocks and β-galactosidase as a simple enzymatic model we show that the reaction is restricted in homotypic peptide condensates, while product formation is enhanced in peptide-RNA condensates. Our findings also show that condensate composition affects the recruitment of substrate, the spatial distribution, and the kinetics of the reaction. Thus, these findings can be further employed for the development of microreactors for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rif Harris
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shirel Veretnik
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Simran Dewan
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Avigail Baruch Leshem
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ayala Lampel
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
- Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
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20
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Brown WH, Potoyan DA. Phase separation of multicomponent peptide mixtures into dehydrated clusters with hydrophilic cores. Biophys J 2024; 123:349-360. [PMID: 38163950 PMCID: PMC10870168 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Phase separation of biomolecules underlies the formation and regulation of various membraneless condensates in cells. How condensates function reliably while surrounded by heterogeneous and dynamic mixtures of biomolecular components with specific and nonspecific interactions is yet to be understood. Studying multicomponent biomolecular mixtures with designer peptides has recently become an attractive avenue for learning about physicochemical principles governing cellular condensates. In this work, we employed long-timescale atomistic simulations of multicomponent tripeptide mixtures with all residue substitutions to illuminate the nature of direct and water-mediated interactions in a prototypical cellular condensate environment. We find that peptide mixtures form clusters with inverse hydrophobic order. Most multivalent and charged residues are localized in the cluster's core, with a large fraction of nonaromatic hydrophobic residues remaining on the surface. This inverse hydrophobic order in peptide clusters is partly driven by the expulsion of nonspecifically bound water molecules following peptide cluster growth. The growth of clusters is also accompanied by the formation of increasing numbers of specific water-mediated interactions between polar and charged residues. While the present study focused on the condensation of short peptide motifs, the general findings and analysis techniques should be helpful for future studies on larger peptides and protein condensation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Davit A Potoyan
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa; Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
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21
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Garg A, González-Foutel NS, Gielnik MB, Kjaergaard M. Design of functional intrinsically disordered proteins. Protein Eng Des Sel 2024; 37:gzae004. [PMID: 38431892 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzae004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Many proteins do not fold into a fixed three-dimensional structure, but rather function in a highly disordered state. These intrinsically disordered proteins pose a unique challenge to protein engineering and design: How can proteins be designed de novo if not by tailoring their structure? Here, we will review the nascent field of design of intrinsically disordered proteins with focus on applications in biotechnology and medicine. The design goals should not necessarily be the same as for de novo design of folded proteins as disordered proteins have unique functional strengths and limitations. We focus on functions where intrinsically disordered proteins are uniquely suited including disordered linkers, desiccation chaperones, sensors of the chemical environment, delivery of pharmaceuticals, and constituents of biomolecular condensates. Design of functional intrinsically disordered proteins relies on a combination of computational tools and heuristics gleaned from sequence-function studies. There are few cases where intrinsically disordered proteins have made it into industrial applications. However, we argue that disordered proteins can perform many roles currently performed by organic polymers, and that these proteins might be more designable due to their modularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankush Garg
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Maciej B Gielnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Magnus Kjaergaard
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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22
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Wu X, Sun Y, Yu J, Miserez A. Tuning the viscoelastic properties of peptide coacervates by single amino acid mutations and salt kosmotropicity. Commun Chem 2024; 7:5. [PMID: 38177438 PMCID: PMC10766971 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-01094-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Coacervation, or liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biomacromolecules, is increasingly recognized to play an important role both intracellularly and in the extracellular space. Central questions that remain to be addressed are the links between the material properties of coacervates (condensates) and both the primary and the secondary structures of their constitutive building blocks. Short LLPS-prone peptides, such as GY23 variants explored in this study, are ideal model systems to investigate these links because simple sequence modifications and the chemical environment strongly affect the viscoelastic properties of coacervates. Herein, a systematic investigation of the structure/property relationships of peptide coacervates was conducted using GY23 variants, combining biophysical characterization (plate rheology and surface force apparatus, SFA) with secondary structure investigations by infrared (IR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Mutating specific residues into either more hydrophobic or more hydrophilic residues strongly regulates the viscoelastic properties of GY23 coacervates. Furthermore, the ionic strength and kosmotropic characteristics (Hofmeister series) of the buffer in which LLPS is induced also significantly impact the properties of formed coacervates. Structural investigations by CD and IR indicate a direct correlation between variations in properties induced by endogenous (peptide sequence) or exogenous (ionic strength, kosmotropic characteristics, aging) factors and the β-sheet content within coacervates. These findings provide valuable insights to rationally design short peptide coacervates with programmable materials properties that are increasingly used in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wu
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore
| | - Yue Sun
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore
| | - Jing Yu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore.
- Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore.
| | - Ali Miserez
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore.
- School of Biological Sciences, 60 Nanyang Drive, NTU, Singapore, 636921, Singapore.
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23
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Cao S, Ivanov T, Heuer J, Ferguson CTJ, Landfester K, Caire da Silva L. Dipeptide coacervates as artificial membraneless organelles for bioorthogonal catalysis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:39. [PMID: 38169470 PMCID: PMC10761997 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44278-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Artificial organelles can manipulate cellular functions and introduce non-biological processes into cells. Coacervate droplets have emerged as a close analog of membraneless cellular organelles. Their biomimetic properties, such as molecular crowding and selective partitioning, make them promising components for designing cell-like materials. However, their use as artificial organelles has been limited by their complex molecular structure, limited control over internal microenvironment properties, and inherent colloidal instability. Here we report the design of dipeptide coacervates that exhibit enhanced stability, biocompatibility, and a hydrophobic microenvironment. The hydrophobic character facilitates the encapsulation of hydrophobic species, including transition metal-based catalysts, enhancing their efficiency in aqueous environments. Dipeptide coacervates carrying a metal-based catalyst are incorporated as active artificial organelles in cells and trigger an internal non-biological chemical reaction. The development of coacervates with a hydrophobic microenvironment opens an alternative avenue in the field of biomimetic materials with applications in catalysis and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoupeng Cao
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tsvetomir Ivanov
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Julian Heuer
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Calum T J Ferguson
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | | | - Lucas Caire da Silva
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 0B8, Canada.
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24
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Yamaguchi T, Chong SH, Yoshida N. Coexistence of two coacervate phases of polyglycine in water suggested by polymer reference interaction site model theory. J Chem Phys 2023; 159:245101. [PMID: 38131487 DOI: 10.1063/5.0185157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mixing Gibbs energy and phase equilibria of aqueous solutions of polyglycine were studied theoretically by means of polymer reference interaction site model integral equation theory combined with the Gibbs-Duhem method. In addition to the ordinary liquid-liquid phase separation between dilute and concentrated solutions, the theoretical calculation predicted the coexistence of two coacervate phases, namely, the lower- and higher-density coacervates. The relative thermodynamic stabilities of these two phases change with the polymerization degree of polyglycine. The higher-density coacervate phase was rapidly stabilized by increasing the polymer length, and the lower-density phase became metastable at large polymers. The hydrogen bonds between the peptide chains were strengthened, and water was thermodynamically destabilized in the higher-density coacervate. A possible relation with the formation of amyloid fibril within a liquid droplet is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi
- Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Song-Ho Chong
- Global Center for Natural Resources Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Oe-honmachi 5-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Norio Yoshida
- Graduate School of Informatics, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
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25
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Sementa D, Dave D, Fisher RS, Wang T, Elbaum-Garfinkle S, Ulijn RV. Sequence-Tunable Phase Behavior and Intrinsic Fluorescence in Dynamically Interacting Peptides. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202311479. [PMID: 37934145 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202311479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
A conceptual framework towards understanding biological condensed phases is emerging, derived from biological, biomimetic, and synthetic sequences. However, de novo peptide condensate design remains a challenge due to an incomplete understanding of the structural and interactive complexity. We designed peptide modules based on a simple repeat motif composed of tripeptide spacers (GSG, SGS, GLG) interspersed with adhesive amino acids (R/H and Y). We show, using sequence editing and a combination of computation and experiment, that n→π* interactions in GLG backbones are a dominant factor in providing sufficient backbone structure, which in turn regulates the water interface, collectively promoting liquid droplet formation. Moreover, these R(GLG)Y and H(GLG)Y condensates unexpectedly display sequence-dependent emission that is a consequence of their non-covalent network interactions, and readily observable by confocal microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Sementa
- Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) at the Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY), 85 St Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Dhwanit Dave
- Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) at the Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY), 85 St Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY 10031, USA
- Ph.D. Programs in Biochemistry and Chemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY), 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Rachel S Fisher
- Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) at the Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY), 85 St Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Tong Wang
- Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) at the Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY), 85 St Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Shana Elbaum-Garfinkle
- Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) at the Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY), 85 St Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Rein V Ulijn
- Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) at the Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY), 85 St Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY 10031, USA
- Ph.D. Programs in Biochemistry and Chemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY), 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
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26
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Dai K, Pol MD, Saile L, Sharma A, Liu B, Thomann R, Trefs JL, Qiu D, Moser S, Wiesler S, Balzer BN, Hugel T, Jessen HJ, Pappas CG. Spontaneous and Selective Peptide Elongation in Water Driven by Aminoacyl Phosphate Esters and Phase Changes. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:26086-26094. [PMID: 37992133 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Nature chose phosphates to activate amino acids, where reactive intermediates and complex machinery drive the construction of polyamides. Outside of biology, the pathways and mechanisms that allow spontaneous and selective peptide elongation in aqueous abiotic systems remain unclear. Herein we work to uncover those pathways by following the systems chemistry of aminoacyl phosphate esters, synthetic counterparts of aminoacyl adenylates. The phosphate esters act as solubility tags, making hydrophobic amino acids and their oligomers soluble in water and enabling selective elongation and different pathways to emerge. Thus, oligomers up to dodecamers were synthesized in one flask and on the minute time scale, where consecutive additions activated autonomous phase changes. Depending on the pathway, the resulting phases initially carry nonpolar peptides and amphiphilic oligomers containing phosphate esters. During elongation and phosphate release, shorter oligomers dominate in solution, while the aggregated phase favors the presence of longer oligomers due to their self-assembly propensity. Furthermore we demonstrated that the solution phases can be isolated and act as a new environment for continuous elongation, by adding various phosphate esters. These findings suggest that the systems chemistry of aminoacyl phosphate esters can activate a selection mechanism for peptide bond formation by merging aqueous synthesis and self-assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Dai
- DFG Cluster of Excellence livMatS @FIT─Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mahesh D Pol
- DFG Cluster of Excellence livMatS @FIT─Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lenard Saile
- DFG Cluster of Excellence livMatS @FIT─Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Arti Sharma
- Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT), University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bin Liu
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, China
| | - Ralf Thomann
- Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT), University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF), University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Strasse 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Johanna L Trefs
- DFG Cluster of Excellence livMatS @FIT─Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Danye Qiu
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Moser
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Wiesler
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bizan N Balzer
- DFG Cluster of Excellence livMatS @FIT─Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF), University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Strasse 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Hugel
- DFG Cluster of Excellence livMatS @FIT─Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Henning J Jessen
- DFG Cluster of Excellence livMatS @FIT─Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Charalampos G Pappas
- DFG Cluster of Excellence livMatS @FIT─Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
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27
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Ramšak M, Ramirez DA, Hough LE, Shirts MR, Vidmar S, Eleršič Filipič K, Anderluh G, Jerala R. Programmable de novo designed coiled coil-mediated phase separation in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7973. [PMID: 38042897 PMCID: PMC10693550 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43742-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Membraneless liquid compartments based on phase-separating biopolymers have been observed in diverse cell types and attributed to weak multivalent interactions predominantly based on intrinsically disordered domains. The design of liquid-liquid phase separated (LLPS) condensates based on de novo designed tunable modules that interact in a well-understood, controllable manner could improve our understanding of this phenomenon and enable the introduction of new features. Here we report the construction of CC-LLPS in mammalian cells, based on designed coiled-coil (CC) dimer-forming modules, where the stability of CC pairs, their number, linkers, and sequential arrangement govern the transition between diffuse, liquid and immobile condensates and are corroborated by coarse-grained molecular simulations. Through modular design, we achieve multiple coexisting condensates, chemical regulation of LLPS, condensate fusion, formation from either one or two polypeptide components or LLPS regulation by a third polypeptide chain. These findings provide further insights into the principles underlying LLPS formation and a design platform for controlling biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruša Ramšak
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Interdisciplinary doctoral study of biomedicine, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Dominique A Ramirez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Loren E Hough
- Department of Physics and BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Michael R Shirts
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Sara Vidmar
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Interdisciplinary doctoral study of biomedicine, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kristina Eleršič Filipič
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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28
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Netzer A, Katzir I, Baruch Leshem A, Weitman M, Lampel A. Emergent properties of melanin-inspired peptide/RNA condensates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2310569120. [PMID: 37871222 PMCID: PMC10622964 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310569120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Most biocatalytic processes in eukaryotic cells are regulated by subcellular microenvironments such as membrane-bound or membraneless organelles. These natural compartmentalization systems have inspired the design of synthetic compartments composed of a variety of building blocks. Recently, the emerging field of liquid-liquid phase separation has facilitated the design of biomolecular condensates composed of proteins and nucleic acids, with controllable properties including polarity, diffusivity, surface tension, and encapsulation efficiency. However, utilizing phase-separated condensates as optical sensors has not yet been attempted. Here, we were inspired by the biosynthesis of melanin pigments, a key biocatalytic process that is regulated by compartmentalization in organelles, to design minimalistic biomolecular condensates with emergent optical properties. Melanins are ubiquitous pigment materials with a range of functionalities including photoprotection, coloration, and free radical scavenging activity. Their biosynthesis in the confined melanosomes involves oxidation-polymerization of tyrosine (Tyr), catalyzed by the enzyme tyrosinase. We have now developed condensates that are formed by an interaction between a Tyr-containing peptide and RNA and can serve as both microreactors and substrates for tyrosinase. Importantly, partitioning of Tyr into the condensates and subsequent oxidation-polymerization gives rise to unique optical properties including far-red fluorescence. We now demonstrate that individual condensates can serve as sensors to detect tyrosinase activity, with a limit of detection similar to that of synthetic fluorescent probes. This approach opens opportunities to utilize designer biomolecular condensates as diagnostic tools for various disorders involving abnormal enzymatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Netzer
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
| | - Itai Katzir
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
| | - Avigail Baruch Leshem
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
| | - Michal Weitman
- Department of Chemistry Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan5290002, Israel
| | - Ayala Lampel
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
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29
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Gaash D, Dewan S, Leshem AB, Jaiswal KS, Jelinek R, Lampel A. Modulating the optical properties of carbon dots by peptide condensates. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:12298-12301. [PMID: 37752864 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc03945e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Here, we utilized designed condensates formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of cationic and aromatic peptide to sequester tyrosine-based carbon dots (C-dots). The C-dots fluorescence is quenched and retrieved upon partitioning and release from condensates, allowing a spatial regulation of C-dots fluorescence which can be utilized for biosensing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dor Gaash
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Simran Dewan
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Avigail Baruch Leshem
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Kumar Sagar Jaiswal
- Department of Chemistry, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 84105 Beer Sheva, Israel
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI), Ben Gurion University of the Negen, Israel
| | - Raz Jelinek
- Department of Chemistry, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 84105 Beer Sheva, Israel
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI), Ben Gurion University of the Negen, Israel
| | - Ayala Lampel
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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30
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Hazra M, Levy Y. Cross-Talk of Cation-π Interactions with Electrostatic and Aromatic Interactions: A Salt-Dependent Trade-off in Biomolecular Condensates. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:8460-8469. [PMID: 37721444 PMCID: PMC10544028 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are essential for cellular functionality, yet the complex interplay among the diverse molecular interactions that mediate their formation remains poorly understood. Here, using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, we address the contribution of cation-π interactions to the stability of condensates formed via liquid-liquid phase separation. We found greater stabilization of up to 80% via cation-π interactions in condensates formed from peptides with higher aromatic residue content or less charge clustering. The contribution of cation-π interactions to droplet stability increases with increasing ionic strength, suggesting a trade-off between cation-π and electrostatic interactions. Cation-π interactions, therefore, can compensate for reduced electrostatic interactions, such as occurs at higher salt concentrations and in sequences with less charged residue content or clustering. Designing condensates with desired biophysical characteristics therefore requires quantification not only of the individual interactions but also cross-talks involving charge-charge, π-π, and cation-π interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan
Kumar Hazra
- Department of Chemical and
Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of
Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Yaakov Levy
- Department of Chemical and
Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of
Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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31
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Maricar S, Gudlur S, Miserez A. Phase-Separating Peptides Recruiting Aggregation-Induced Emission Fluorogen for Rapid E. coli Detection. Anal Chem 2023. [PMID: 37327402 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Rationally designed biomolecular condensates have found applications primarily as drug-delivery systems, thanks to their ability to self-assemble under physico-chemical triggers (such as temperature, pH, or ionic strength) and to concomitantly trap client molecules with exceptionally high efficiency (>99%). However, their potential in (bio)sensing applications remains unexplored. Here, we describe a simple and rapid assay to detect E. coli by combining phase-separating peptide condensates containing a protease recognition site, within which an aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-fluorogen is recruited. The recruited AIE-fluorogen's fluorescence is easily detected with the naked eye when the samples are viewed under UV-A light. In the presence of E. coli, the bacteria's outer membrane protease (OmpT) cleaves the phase-separating peptides at the encoded protease recognition site, resulting in two shorter peptide fragments incapable of liquid-liquid phase separation. As a result, no condensates are formed and the fluorogen remains non-fluorescent. The assay feasibility was first tested with recombinant OmpT reconstituted in detergent micelles and subsequently confirmed with E. coli K-12. In its current format, the assay can detect E. coli K-12 (108 CFU) within 2 h in spiked water samples and 1-10 CFU/mL with the addition of a 6-7 h pre-culture step. In comparison, most commercially available E. coli detection kits can take anywhere from 8 to 24 h to report their results. Optimizing the peptides for OmpT's catalytic activity can significantly improve the detection limit and assay time. Besides detecting E. coli, the assay can be adapted to detect other Gram-negative bacteria as well as proteases having diagnostic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Maricar
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 637553, Singapore
| | - Sushanth Gudlur
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 637553, Singapore
| | - Ali Miserez
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 637553, Singapore
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32
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Abstract
Biomolecular condensates constitute a newly recognized form of spatial organization in living cells. Although many condensates are believed to form as a result of phase separation, the physicochemical properties that determine the phase behavior of heterogeneous biomolecular mixtures are only beginning to be explored. Theory and simulation provide invaluable tools for probing the relationship between molecular determinants, such as protein and RNA sequences, and the emergence of phase-separated condensates in such complex environments. This review covers recent advances in the prediction and computational design of biomolecular mixtures that phase-separate into many coexisting phases. First, we review efforts to understand the phase behavior of mixtures with hundreds or thousands of species using theoretical models and statistical approaches. We then describe progress in developing analytical theories and coarse-grained simulation models to predict multiphase condensates with the molecular detail required to make contact with biophysical experiments. We conclude by summarizing the challenges ahead for modeling the inhomogeneous spatial organization of biomolecular mixtures in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M Jacobs
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
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33
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Dec R, Jaworek MW, Dzwolak W, Winter R. Liquid-Droplet-Mediated ATP-Triggered Amyloidogenic Pathway of Insulin-Derived Chimeric Peptides: Unraveling the Microscopic and Molecular Processes. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:4177-4186. [PMID: 36762833 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c12611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Disease-associated progression of protein dysfunction is typically determined by an interplay of transition pathways leading to liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and amyloid fibrils. As LLPS introduces another layer of complexity into fibrillization of metastable proteins, a need for tunable model systems to study these intertwined processes has emerged. Here, we demonstrate the LLPS/fibrillization properties of a family of chimeric peptides, ACC1-13Kn, in which the highly amyloidogenic fragment of insulin (ACC1-13) is merged with oligolysine segments of various lengths (Kn, n = 8, 16, 24, 32, 40). LLPS and fibrillization of ACC1-13Kn are triggered by ATP through Coulombic interactions with Kn fragments. ACC1-13K8 and ACC1-13K16 form fibrils after a short lag phase without any evidence of LLPS. However, in the case of the three longest peptides, ATP triggers instantaneous LLPS followed by the disappearance of droplets occurring in-phase with the formation of amyloid fibrils. The kinetics of the phase transition and the stability of mature co-aggregates are highly sensitive to ionic strength, indicating that electrostatic interactions play a pivotal role in selecting the LLPS-fibrillization transition pathway. Densely packed ionic interactions that characterize ACC1-13Kn-ATP fibrils render them highly sensitive to hydrostatic pressure due to solvent electrostriction, as demonstrated by infrared spectroscopy. Using atomic force microscopy imaging of rapidly frozen samples, we demonstrate that early fibrils form within single liquid droplets, starting at the droplet/bulk interface through the formation of single bent fibers. A hypothetical molecular scenario underlying the emergence of the LLPS-to-fibrils pathway in the ACC1-13Kn-ATP system has been put forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Dec
- Physical Chemistry I - Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn Street 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Michel W Jaworek
- Physical Chemistry I - Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn Street 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Wojciech Dzwolak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Pasteur Street 1, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Roland Winter
- Physical Chemistry I - Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn Street 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
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34
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Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) underlies the formation of intracellular membraneless compartments in biology and may have played a role in the formation of protocells that concentrate key chemicals during the origins of life. While LLPS of simple systems, such as oil and water, is well understood, many aspects of LLPS in complex, out-of-equilibrium molecular systems remain elusive. Here, the author discusses open questions and recent insights related to the formation, function and fate of such condensates both in cell biology and protocell research.
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