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Li Y, Liu Y, Yu XY, Xu Y, Pan X, Sun Y, Wang Y, Song YH, Shen Z. Membraneless organelles in health and disease: exploring the molecular basis, physiological roles and pathological implications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:305. [PMID: 39551864 PMCID: PMC11570651 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-02013-w] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 10/10/2024] [Indexed: 11/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Once considered unconventional cellular structures, membraneless organelles (MLOs), cellular substructures involved in biological processes or pathways under physiological conditions, have emerged as central players in cellular dynamics and function. MLOs can be formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), resulting in the creation of condensates. From neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, aging, and metabolism to cancer, the influence of MLOs on human health and disease extends widely. This review discusses the underlying mechanisms of LLPS, the biophysical properties that drive MLO formation, and their implications for cellular function. We highlight recent advances in understanding how the physicochemical environment, molecular interactions, and post-translational modifications regulate LLPS and MLO dynamics. This review offers an overview of the discovery and current understanding of MLOs and biomolecular condensate in physiological conditions and diseases. This article aims to deliver the latest insights on MLOs and LLPS by analyzing current research, highlighting their critical role in cellular organization. The discussion also covers the role of membrane-associated condensates in cell signaling, including those involving T-cell receptors, stress granules linked to lysosomes, and biomolecular condensates within the Golgi apparatus. Additionally, the potential of targeting LLPS in clinical settings is explored, highlighting promising avenues for future research and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangxin Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital & Institute for Cardiovascular Science, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, P. R. China.
| | - Yuzhe Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130041, P. R. China
| | - Xi-Yong Yu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Drug for Thoracic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology and the State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, P. R. China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of General Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P. R. China
| | - Xiangbin Pan
- Department of Structural Heart Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, China & Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, State key laboratory of cardiovascular disease, Beijing, 100037, P. R. China
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Kunming, 650102, P. R. China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital & Institute for Cardiovascular Science, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Yao-Hua Song
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P.R. China.
| | - Zhenya Shen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital & Institute for Cardiovascular Science, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, P. R. China.
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Yan X, Zhang M, Wang D. Interplay between posttranslational modifications and liquid‒liquid phase separation in tumors. Cancer Lett 2024; 584:216614. [PMID: 38246226 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216614] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Liquid‒liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a general phenomenon recently recognized to be critically involved in the regulation of a variety of cellular biological processes, such as transcriptional regulation, heterochromatin formation and signal transduction, through the compartmentalization of proteins or nucleic acids into droplet-like condensates. These processes are directly or indirectly related to tumor initiation and treatment. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs), which represent a rapid and reversible mechanism involved in the functional regulation of proteins, have emerged as key events in modulating LLPS under physiological or pathophysiological conditions, including tumorigenesis and antitumor therapy. In this review, we introduce the biological functions participated in cancer-associated LLPS, discuss the potential roles of LLPS during tumor onset or therapy, and emphasize the mechanistic characteristics of LLPS regulated by PTMs and its effects on tumor progression. We then provide a perspective on further studies on LLPS and its regulation by PTMs in cancer research. This review aims to broaden the understanding of the functions of LLPS and its regulation by PTMs under normal or aberrant cellular conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases & Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases & Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Donglai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases & Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
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