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Polymer physics of intracellular phase transitions

Polymer physics of intracellular phase transitions Intracellular organelles are either membrane-bound vesicles or membrane-less compartments that are made up of proteins and RNA. These organelles play key biological roles, by compartmentalizing the cell to enable spatiotemporal control of biological reactions. Recent studies suggest that membrane-less intracellular compartments are multicomponent viscous liquid droplets that form via phase separation. Proteins that have an intrinsic tendency for being conformationally heterogeneous seem to be the main drivers of liquid–liquid phase separation in the cell. These findings highlight the relevance of classical concepts from the physics of polymeric phase transitions for understanding the assembly of intracellular membrane-less compartments. However, applying these concepts is challenging, given the heteropolymeric nature of protein sequences, the complex intracellular environment, and non-equilibrium features intrinsic to cells. This provides new opportunities for adapting established theories and for the emergence of new physics. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Nature Physics Springer Journals

Polymer physics of intracellular phase transitions

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References (76)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2015 by Nature Publishing Group
Subject
Physics; Physics, general; Theoretical, Mathematical and Computational Physics; Classical and Continuum Physics; Atomic, Molecular, Optical and Plasma Physics; Condensed Matter Physics; Complex Systems
ISSN
1745-2473
eISSN
1745-2481
DOI
10.1038/nphys3532
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Intracellular organelles are either membrane-bound vesicles or membrane-less compartments that are made up of proteins and RNA. These organelles play key biological roles, by compartmentalizing the cell to enable spatiotemporal control of biological reactions. Recent studies suggest that membrane-less intracellular compartments are multicomponent viscous liquid droplets that form via phase separation. Proteins that have an intrinsic tendency for being conformationally heterogeneous seem to be the main drivers of liquid–liquid phase separation in the cell. These findings highlight the relevance of classical concepts from the physics of polymeric phase transitions for understanding the assembly of intracellular membrane-less compartments. However, applying these concepts is challenging, given the heteropolymeric nature of protein sequences, the complex intracellular environment, and non-equilibrium features intrinsic to cells. This provides new opportunities for adapting established theories and for the emergence of new physics.

Journal

Nature PhysicsSpringer Journals

Published: Nov 3, 2015

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