scholarly journals The interplay of structural and cellular biophysics controls clustering of multivalent molecules

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Chattaraj ◽  
M. Youngstrom ◽  
L. M. Loew
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Cluster Size ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Nucleation Promoting Factor ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Liquid Liquid Phase Separation

AbstractDynamic molecular clusters are assembled through weak multivalent interactions and are platforms for cellular functions, especially receptor-mediated signaling. Clustering is also a prerequisite for liquid-liquid phase separation. But it is not well understood how molecular structure and cellular organization control clustering. Using coarse-grain kinetic Langevin dynamics, we performed computational experiments on a prototypical ternary system modeled after membrane-bound nephrin, the adaptor Nck1 and the actin nucleation promoting factor NWASP. Steady state cluster size distributions favored stoichiometries that optimized binding (stoichiometry matching), but still were quite broad. At high concentrations, the system can be driven beyond the saturation boundary such that cluster size is limited only by the number of available molecules. This behavior would be predictive of phase separation. Domains close to binding sites sterically inhibited clustering much less than terminal domains because the latter effectively restrict access to the cluster interior. Increased flexibility of interacting molecules diminished clustering by shielding binding sites within compact conformations. Membrane association of nephrin increased the cluster size distribution in a density-dependent manner. These properties provide insights into how molecular ensembles function to localize and amplify cell signaling.

scholarly journals Phosphatidic acid inhibits SNARE priming by inducing conformational changes in Sec18 protomers

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew L. Starr ◽  
Robert P. Sparks ◽  
Logan R. Hurst ◽  
Zhiyu Zhao ◽  
Andres Arango ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Phosphatidic Acid ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Membrane Curvature ◽  
Snare Proteins ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Protein Architecture ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Hexameric Form

SUMMARYEukaryotic homeostasis relies on membrane fusion catalyzed by SNARE proteins. Inactive SNARE bundles are re-activated by Sec18/NSF driven disassembly to enable a new round of fusion. We previously found that phosphatidic acid (PA) binds Sec18 to sequester it from SNAREs. Dephosphorylation of PA dissociates Sec18 from the membrane allowing it to engage SNARE complexes. We now report that PA induces conformational changes in Sec18 protomers, while hexameric Sec18 cannot bind PA membranes. The association of Sec18 with PA was shown to be sensitive to membrane curvature, suggesting that regulation could vary on different organelles in a curvature dependent manner. Molecular dynamics showed that PA binding sites exist on the D1 and D2 domains of Sec18 and that residues needed for binding were masked in the hexameric form of the protein. Together these data indicate that PA regulates Sec18 function through altering protein architecture and stabilizing membrane-bound protomers.

scholarly journals Programmable Sequences of Reflectin Proteins Provides Evidence for Their Evolution Processes, Tunable Intracellular Localization and Interaction with Cytoskeleton

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junyi Song ◽  
Liu Chuanyang ◽  
Baoshan Li ◽  
Liangcheng Liu ◽  
LIng Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Dynamic Performance ◽  
Intracellular Localization ◽  
Evolutionary Relationship ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Phase Out ◽  
Intracellular Milieu ◽  
Liquid Liquid Phase Separation

Reflectins are membrane-bound proteins located in cephalopods iridocytes, with repeated canonical domains interspersed with cationic linkers. Scientists keep curious about their evolutionary processes, biochemical properties and intracellular functions. Here, by introducing reflectin A1, A2, B1 and C into HEK-293T cells, these proteins were found to phase out from the crowded intracellular milieu, with distinguished localization preferences. Inspired by their programmable block sequences, several truncated reflectin A1 (RfA1) peptides based on repetition of reflectin motifs were designed and transfected into cells. An obvious cyto-/nucleo-plasmic localization preference was once again observed. The dynamic performance of RfA1 derivatives and their analogic behavior between different reflectins suggest a conceivable evolutionary relationship among reflectin proteins. Additionally, a proteomic survey identified biochemical partners which contribute to the phase separation and intracellular localization of RfA1 and its truncations, as well as the close collaboration between RfA1 and the cytoskeleton systems. These findings indicate that liquid-liquid phase separation could be the fundamental mode for reflectins to achieve spatial organization, to cooperate with cytoskeleton during the regulation of reflective coloration. On the other hand, the dynamic behaviors of RfA1 derivatives strongly recommended themselves as programmable molecular tools.

scholarly journals Intracellular wetting mediates contacts between liquid compartments and membrane-bound organelles

2021 ◽  
Vol 220 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Halim Kusumaatmaja ◽  
Alexander I. May ◽  
Roland L. Knorr
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Membrane Interactions ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
P Bodies ◽  
Intracellular Degradation ◽  
Wetting Phenomena ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Membrane Contact ◽  
As Stress ◽  
Protein Rich

Protein-rich droplets, such as stress granules, P-bodies, and the nucleolus, perform diverse and specialized cellular functions. Recent evidence has shown the droplets, which are also known as biomolecular condensates or membrane-less compartments, form by phase separation. Many droplets also contact membrane-bound organelles, thereby functioning in development, intracellular degradation, and organization. These underappreciated interactions have major implications for our fundamental understanding of cells. Starting with a brief introduction to wetting phenomena, we summarize recent progress in the emerging field of droplet–membrane contact. We describe the physical mechanism of droplet–membrane interactions, discuss how these interactions remodel droplets and membranes, and introduce "membrane scaffolding" by liquids as a novel reshaping mechanism, thereby demonstrating that droplet–membrane interactions are elastic wetting phenomena. “Membrane-less” and “membrane-bound” condensates likely represent distinct wetting states that together link phase separation with mechanosensitivity and explain key structures observed during embryogenesis, during autophagy, and at synapses. We therefore contend that droplet wetting on membranes provides a robust and intricate means of intracellular organization.

scholarly journals Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of Patchy Particles Illuminates Diverse Effects of Regulatory Components on Protein Droplet Formation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valery Nguemaha ◽  
Huan-Xiang Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Liquid Phase ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Liquid Phase Separation ◽  
Steric Repulsion ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Patchy Particles ◽  
Droplet Phase ◽  
Liquid Liquid Phase Separation

AbstractRecently many cellular functions have been associated with membraneless organelles, or protein droplets, formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Proteins in these droplets often contain RNA-binding domains, but the effects of RNA on LLPS have been controversial. To gain better understanding on the roles of RNA, here we used Gibbs-ensemble simulations to determine phase diagrams of two-component patchy particles, as models for mixtures of proteins with RNA or other regulatory components. Protein-like particles have four patches, with attraction strength εPP; regulatory particles experience mutual steric repulsion but have two attractive patches toward proteins, with the strength εPR tunable. At low εPR, the regulator, due to steric repulsion, preferentially partitions in the dispersed phase, thereby displacing the protein into the droplet phase and promoting LLPS. At moderate εPR, the regulator starts to partition and displace the protein in the droplet phase, but only to weaken bonding networks and thereby suppress LLPS. At εPR > εPP, the enhanced bonding ability of the regulator initially promotes LLPS, but at higher amounts, the resulting displacement of the protein suppresses LLPS. These results illustrate how RNA can have disparate effects on LLPS, thus able to perform diverse functions in different organelles.

scholarly journals Physical theory of biological noise buffering by multicomponent phase separation

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (25) ◽  
pp. e2100099118
Author(s):  
Dan Deviri ◽  
Samuel A. Safran
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Physical Theory ◽  
Expression Noise ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Heterotypic Interactions ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Noise Buffering ◽  
Liquid Liquid Phase Separation

Maintaining homeostasis is a fundamental characteristic of living systems. In cells, this is contributed to by the assembly of biochemically distinct organelles, many of which are not membrane bound but form by the physical process of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). By analogy with LLPS in binary solutions, cellular LLPS was hypothesized to contribute to homeostasis by facilitating “concentration buffering,” which renders the local protein concentration within the organelle robust to global variations in the average cellular concentration (e.g., due to expression noise). Interestingly, concentration buffering was experimentally measured in vivo in a simple organelle with a single solute, while it was observed not to be obeyed in one with several solutes. Here, we formulate theoretically and solve analytically a physical model of LLPS in a ternary solution of two solutes (ϕ and ψ) that interact both homotypically (ϕ–ϕ attractions) and heterotypically (ϕ–ψ attractions). Our physical theory predicts how the coexisting concentrations in LLPS are related to expression noise and thus, generalizes the concept of concentration buffering to multicomponent systems. This allows us to reconcile the seemingly contradictory experimental observations. Furthermore, we predict that incremental changes of the homotypic and heterotypic interactions among the molecules that undergo LLPS, such as those that are caused by mutations in the genes encoding the proteins, may increase the efficiency of concentration buffering of a given system. Thus, we hypothesize that evolution may optimize concentration buffering as an efficient mechanism to maintain LLPS homeostasis and suggest experimental approaches to test this in different systems.

scholarly journals Three archetypical classes of macromolecular regulators of protein liquid–liquid phase separation

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (39) ◽  
pp. 19474-19483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Archishman Ghosh ◽  
Konstantinos Mazarakos ◽  
Huan-Xiang Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Liquid Phase ◽  
Computational Study ◽  
Quantitative Measure ◽  
Liquid Phase Separation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Regulatory Effects ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Droplet Phase ◽  
Liquid Liquid Phase Separation

Membraneless organelles, corresponding to the droplet phase upon liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of protein or protein–RNA mixtures, mediate myriad cellular functions. Cells use a variety of biochemical signals such as expression level and posttranslational modification to regulate droplet formation and dissolution, but the physical basis of the regulatory mechanisms remains ill-defined and quantitative assessment of the effects is largely lacking. Our computational study predicted that the strength of attraction by droplet-forming proteins dictates whether and how macromolecular regulators promote or suppress LLPS. We experimentally tested this prediction, using the pentamers of SH3 domains and proline-rich motifs (SH35 and PRM5) as droplet-forming proteins. Determination of the changes in phase boundary and the partition coefficients in the droplet phase over a wide range of regulator concentrations yielded both a quantitative measure and a mechanistic understanding of the regulatory effects. Three archetypical classes of regulatory effects were observed. Ficoll 70 at high concentrations indirectly promoted SH35–PRM5 LLPS, by taking up volume in the bulk phase and thereby displacing SH35 and PRM5 into the droplet phase. Lysozyme had a moderate partition coefficient and suppressed LLPS by substituting weaker attraction with SH35 for the stronger SH35–PRM5 attraction in the droplet phase. By forming even stronger attraction with PRM5, heparin at low concentrations partitioned heavily into the droplet phase and promoted LLPS. These characteristics were recapitulated by computational results of patchy particle models, validating the identification of the 3 classes of macromolecular regulators as volume-exclusion promotors, weak-attraction suppressors, and strong-attraction promotors.

scholarly journals Characterization of the Binding of Adenosine Diphosphate to Human Platelet Membranes

1977 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Legrand ◽  
B. Bauvois ◽  
J. P. Caen
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Adenosine Diphosphate ◽  
Affinity Constant ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Kinetics Of

ADP-mediated platelet aggregation is a routinely employed test but its mechanism is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to compare the binding of ADP to plasma membranes isolated from normal platelets and thrombasthenic platelets (which do not aggregate with ADP). Binding of ADP to isolated membranes was assayed by incubation with 14C-ADP followed by Mill i pore filtration. In standard conditions, 14C-ADP was not transformed and non specific binding represented lessthan 3 % of the total binding. Using 1 μM 14C-ADP, the binding has been shown to be a rapid (t 1/2 = 2 mn 30 sec), saturable and reversible phenomenon at 37° C. The existence of a major population of binding sites, with an affinity constant Ka = 0.43 (+ 0.1) χ 106M-1, has been demonstrated. The kinetics of the binding was normal with membranes Tsolated from the platelets of 4 thrombasthenic patients and the affinity constant, when determined, was in the normal range. Dissociation of the membrane-bound 14C-ADP occurred rapidly at 37° C (t l/2c≃3mn) when samples were diluted enough (dilution 1 : 100 was currently employed) to avoid rebinding of the radioligand. Accelerated dissociation (t 1/2 ≃ 1 mn) was observed when the dilution was performed in the presence of an excess of unlabeled ADP, suggesting the existence of negatively cooperative site-site interactions among the ADP binding sites. This effect was only observed at high concentrations of ADP (> 10–5M) and its eventual role in vivo remains to be established. Two thrombasthenic membrane preparations studied in the same way dissociated as did the control membranes.

scholarly journals ProXs drive the formation of membraneless organelles in plants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Honghong Zhang ◽  
Fangyu Peng ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Haiteng Deng ◽  
Xiaofeng Fang
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Cellular Space ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Heterologous Expression In Yeast ◽  
Liquid Liquid Phase Separation

Membraneless organelles (MLOs) are non-membranous structures inside cells that organize cellular space and processes. The recent discovery that MLOs can be assembled via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) advanced our understanding of these structures. However, the proteins that are capable of forming MLOs are largely unknown, especially in plants. In this study, we developed a method to identify proteins that we referred as ProXs (Proteins enriched by b-isoX) in Arabidopsis. Heterologous expression in yeast cells showed that most ProXs were capable of forming MLOs autonomously. We applied this method to several model and crop species including early and higher plants. This allowed us to generate an atlas of ProXs for studying plant MLOs. Analysis of ProXs from different species revealed high degree of conservation, supporting that they play important roles in cellular functions and are positively selected during evolution. Our method will be a valuable tool to characterize novel MLOs from desired cells and the data generated in present study will be instrumental for the plant research community to investigate MLO biology.

scholarly journals Phase separation of Nur77 mediates celastrol-induced mitophagy by promoting the liquidity of p62/SQSTM1 condensates

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang-zhou Peng ◽  
Xiao-hui Chen ◽  
Si-jie Chen ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Chuan-ying Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Mechanistic Insight ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered Region ◽  
Uba Domain ◽  
Pb1 Domain ◽  
Additional Interaction ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Liquid Liquid Phase Separation

AbstractLiquid-liquid phase separation promotes the formation of membraneless condensates that mediate diverse cellular functions, including autophagy of misfolded proteins. However, how phase separation participates in autophagy of dysfunctional mitochondria (mitophagy) remains obscure. We previously discovered that nuclear receptor Nur77 (also called TR3, NGFI-B, or NR4A1) translocates from the nucleus to mitochondria to mediate celastrol-induced mitophagy through interaction with p62/SQSTM1. Here, we show that the ubiquitinated mitochondrial Nur77 forms membraneless condensates capable of sequestrating damaged mitochondria by interacting with the UBA domain of p62/SQSTM1. However, tethering clustered mitochondria to the autophagy machinery requires an additional interaction mediated by the N-terminal intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of Nur77 and the N-terminal PB1 domain of p62/SQSTM1, which confers Nur77-p62/SQSTM1 condensates with the magnitude and liquidity. Our results demonstrate how composite multivalent interaction between Nur77 and p62/SQSTM1 coordinates to sequester damaged mitochondria and to connect targeted cargo mitochondria for autophagy, providing mechanistic insight into mitophagy.

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