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Diffusiophoresis promotes phase separation and transport of biomolecular condensates

Author

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  • Viet Sang Doan

    (The State University of New York)

  • Ibraheem Alshareedah

    (The State University of New York)

  • Anurag Singh

    (The State University of New York)

  • Priya R. Banerjee

    (The State University of New York)

  • Sangwoo Shin

    (The State University of New York)

Abstract

The internal microenvironment of a living cell is heterogeneous and comprises a multitude of organelles with distinct biochemistry. Amongst them are biomolecular condensates, which are membrane-less, phase-separated compartments enriched in system-specific proteins and nucleic acids. The heterogeneity of the cell engenders the presence of multiple spatiotemporal gradients in chemistry, charge, concentration, temperature, and pressure. Such thermodynamic gradients can lead to non-equilibrium driving forces for the formation and transport of biomolecular condensates. Here, we report how ion gradients impact the transport processes of biomolecular condensates on the mesoscale and biomolecules on the microscale. Utilizing a microfluidic platform, we demonstrate that the presence of ion concentration gradients can accelerate the transport of biomolecules, including nucleic acids and proteins, via diffusiophoresis. This hydrodynamic transport process allows localized enrichment of biomolecules, thereby promoting the location-specific formation of biomolecular condensates via phase separation. The ion gradients further impart directional motility of condensates, allowing them to exhibit enhanced diffusion along the gradient. Coupled with a reentrant phase behavior, the gradient-induced enhanced motility leads to a dynamical redistribution of condensates that ultimately extends their lifetime. Together, our results demonstrate diffusiophoresis as a non-equilibrium thermodynamic force that governs the formation and transport of biomolecular condensates.

Suggested Citation

  • Viet Sang Doan & Ibraheem Alshareedah & Anurag Singh & Priya R. Banerjee & Sangwoo Shin, 2024. "Diffusiophoresis promotes phase separation and transport of biomolecular condensates," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-51840-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51840-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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