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Prebiotically-relevant low polyion multivalency can improve functionality of membraneless compartments

Author

Listed:
  • Fatma Pir Cakmak

    (The Pennsylvania State University)

  • Saehyun Choi

    (The Pennsylvania State University)

  • McCauley O. Meyer

    (The Pennsylvania State University
    The Pennsylvania State University)

  • Philip C. Bevilacqua

    (The Pennsylvania State University
    The Pennsylvania State University
    The Pennsylvania State University)

  • Christine D. Keating

    (The Pennsylvania State University)

Abstract

Multivalent polyions can undergo complex coacervation, producing membraneless compartments that accumulate ribozymes and enhance catalysis, and offering a mechanism for functional prebiotic compartmentalization in the origins of life. Here, we evaluate the impact of lower, more prebiotically-relevant, polyion multivalency on the functional performance of coacervates as compartments. Positively and negatively charged homopeptides with 1–100 residues and adenosine mono-, di-, and triphosphate nucleotides are used as model polyions. Polycation/polyanion pairs are tested for coacervation, and resulting membraneless compartments are analyzed for salt resistance, ability to provide a distinct internal microenvironment (apparent local pH, RNA partitioning), and effect on RNA structure formation. We find that coacervates formed by phase separation of the shorter polyions more effectively generated distinct pH microenvironments, accumulated RNA, and preserved duplexes than those formed by longer polyions. Hence, coacervates formed by reduced multivalency polyions are not only viable as functional compartments for prebiotic chemistries, they can outperform higher molecular weight analogues.

Suggested Citation

  • Fatma Pir Cakmak & Saehyun Choi & McCauley O. Meyer & Philip C. Bevilacqua & Christine D. Keating, 2020. "Prebiotically-relevant low polyion multivalency can improve functionality of membraneless compartments," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-19775-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19775-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Simone M. Poprawa & Michele Stasi & Brigitte A. K. Kriebisch & Monika Wenisch & Judit Sastre & Job Boekhoven, 2024. "Active droplets through enzyme-free, dynamic phosphorylation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Tommaso P. Fraccia & Nicolas Martin, 2023. "Non-enzymatic oligonucleotide ligation in coacervate protocells sustains compartment-content coupling," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Shoupeng Cao & Tsvetomir Ivanov & Julian Heuer & Calum T. J. Ferguson & Katharina Landfester & Lucas Caire da Silva, 2024. "Dipeptide coacervates as artificial membraneless organelles for bioorthogonal catalysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Jaimie Marie Stewart & Shiyi Li & Anli A. Tang & Melissa Ann Klocke & Martin Vincent Gobry & Giacomo Fabrini & Lorenzo Michele & Paul W. K. Rothemund & Elisa Franco, 2024. "Modular RNA motifs for orthogonal phase separated compartments," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    5. Jiahua Wang & Manzar Abbas & Junyou Wang & Evan Spruijt, 2023. "Selective amide bond formation in redox-active coacervate protocells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    6. Merlijn H. I. Haren & Brent S. Visser & Evan Spruijt, 2024. "Probing the surface charge of condensates using microelectrophoresis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.

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