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Capillary forces generated by biomolecular condensates

Author

Listed:
  • Bernardo Gouveia

    (Princeton University)

  • Yoonji Kim

    (Princeton University)

  • Joshua W. Shaevitz

    (Princeton University)

  • Sabine Petry

    (Princeton University)

  • Howard A. Stone

    (Princeton University)

  • Clifford P. Brangwynne

    (Princeton University
    The Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

Abstract

Liquid–liquid phase separation and related phase transitions have emerged as generic mechanisms in living cells for the formation of membraneless compartments or biomolecular condensates. The surface between two immiscible phases has an interfacial tension, generating capillary forces that can perform work on the surrounding environment. Here we present the physical principles of capillarity, including examples of how capillary forces structure multiphase condensates and remodel biological substrates. As with other mechanisms of intracellular force generation, for example, molecular motors, capillary forces can influence biological processes. Identifying the biomolecular determinants of condensate capillarity represents an exciting frontier, bridging soft matter physics and cell biology.

Suggested Citation

  • Bernardo Gouveia & Yoonji Kim & Joshua W. Shaevitz & Sabine Petry & Howard A. Stone & Clifford P. Brangwynne, 2022. "Capillary forces generated by biomolecular condensates," Nature, Nature, vol. 609(7926), pages 255-264, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:609:y:2022:i:7926:d:10.1038_s41586-022-05138-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05138-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Cheng Qi & Xudong Ma & Qi Zeng & Zhangwei Huang & Shanshan Zhang & Xiaokang Deng & Tiantian Kong & Zhou Liu, 2024. "Multicompartmental coacervate-based protocell by spontaneous droplet evaporation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Jason X. Liu & Mikko P. Haataja & Andrej Košmrlj & Sujit S. Datta & Craig B. Arnold & Rodney D. Priestley, 2023. "Liquid–liquid phase separation within fibrillar networks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Halima H. Schede & Pradeep Natarajan & Arup K. Chakraborty & Krishna Shrinivas, 2023. "A model for organization and regulation of nuclear condensates by gene activity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Beatrice Ramm & Dominik Schumacher & Andrea Harms & Tamara Heermann & Philipp Klos & Franziska Müller & Petra Schwille & Lotte Søgaard-Andersen, 2023. "Biomolecular condensate drives polymerization and bundling of the bacterial tubulin FtsZ to regulate cell division," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-24, December.
    5. Mina Farag & Wade M. Borcherds & Anne Bremer & Tanja Mittag & Rohit V. Pappu, 2023. "Phase separation of protein mixtures is driven by the interplay of homotypic and heterotypic interactions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.
    6. Agustín Mangiarotti & Nannan Chen & Ziliang Zhao & Reinhard Lipowsky & Rumiana Dimova, 2023. "Wetting and complex remodeling of membranes by biomolecular condensates," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    7. Shang Dai & Zhenming Xie & Binqiang Wang & Rui Ye & Xinwen Ou & Chen Wang & Ning Yu & Cheng Huang & Jie Zhao & Chunhui Cai & Furong Zhang & Damiano Buratto & Taimoor Khan & Yan Qiao & Yuejin Hua & Ruh, 2023. "An inorganic mineral-based protocell with prebiotic radiation fitness," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    8. Agustín Mangiarotti & Macarena Siri & Nicky W. Tam & Ziliang Zhao & Leonel Malacrida & Rumiana Dimova, 2023. "Biomolecular condensates modulate membrane lipid packing and hydration," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-19, December.
    9. Fernando Muzzopappa & Johan Hummert & Michela Anfossi & Stanimir Asenov Tashev & Dirk-Peter Herten & Fabian Erdel, 2022. "Detecting and quantifying liquid–liquid phase separation in living cells by model-free calibrated half-bleaching," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.
    10. Etienne Jambon-Puillet & Andrea Testa & Charlotta Lorenz & Robert W. Style & Aleksander A. Rebane & Eric R. Dufresne, 2024. "Phase-separated droplets swim to their dissolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.

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