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RNA-mediated demixing transition of low-density condensates

Author

Listed:
  • Taehyun Kim

    (Seoul National University)

  • Jaeyoon Yoo

    (Seoul National University)

  • Sungho Do

    (Seoul National University)

  • Dong Soo Hwang

    (Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH))

  • YongKeun Park

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
    KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology
    Tomocube Inc)

  • Yongdae Shin

    (Seoul National University
    Seoul National University)

Abstract

Biomolecular condensates play a key role in organizing cellular reactions by concentrating a specific set of biomolecules. However, whether condensate formation is accompanied by an increase in the total mass concentration within condensates or by the demixing of already highly crowded intracellular components remains elusive. Here, using refractive index imaging, we quantify the mass density of several condensates, including nucleoli, heterochromatin, nuclear speckles, and stress granules. Surprisingly, the latter two condensates exhibit low densities with a total mass concentration similar to the surrounding cyto- or nucleoplasm. Low-density condensates display higher permeability to cellular protein probes. We find that RNA tunes the biomolecular density of condensates. Moreover, intracellular structures such as mitochondria heavily influence the way phase separation proceeds, impacting the localization, morphology, and growth of condensates. These findings favor a model where segregative phase separation driven by non-associative or repulsive molecular interactions together with RNA-mediated selective association of specific components can give rise to low-density condensates in the crowded cellular environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Taehyun Kim & Jaeyoon Yoo & Sungho Do & Dong Soo Hwang & YongKeun Park & Yongdae Shin, 2023. "RNA-mediated demixing transition of low-density condensates," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-38118-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38118-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Min Lee & Hyungseok C. Moon & Hyeonjeong Jeong & Dong Wook Kim & Hye Yoon Park & Yongdae Shin, 2024. "Optogenetic control of mRNA condensation reveals an intimate link between condensate material properties and functions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.

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