Essence determines phenomenon: Assaying the material properties of biological condensates |
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| Authors: | Zheng Wang Jizhong Lou Hong Zhang |
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| Institution: | 1.National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;2.Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;3.College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China |
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| Abstract: | Intracellular spaces are partitioned into separate compartments to ensure that numerous biochemical reactions and cellular functions take place in a spatiotemporally controlled manner. Biomacromolecules including proteins and RNAs undergo liquid–liquid phase separation and subsequent phase transition to form biological condensates with diverse material states. The material/physical properties of biological condensates are crucial for fulfilling their distinct physiological functions, and abnormal material properties can cause deleterious effects under pathological conditions. Here, we review recent studies showing the role of the material properties of biological condensates in their physiological functions. We also summarize several classic methods as well as newly emerging techniques for characterization and/or measurement of the material properties of biological condensates. |
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| Keywords: | phase separation biological condensates material properties physiological function methodology |
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