Abstract
Watson et al. (2023, Macromolecular condensation buffers intracellular water potential, Nature 623: 842-852) have proposed that the reversible formation and disassembly of molecular condensates could act as the primary buffer of cytoplasmic osmolality in the face of changes in extracellular osmolality. In this communication, we show using well-established membrane biophysics, that the water permeability of plasma membranes is likely to overwhelm any cytoplasmic water buffers.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Footnotes
Emails: zahra-aminzare{at}uiowa.edu
The manuscript has been revised in response to a review posted on Biophysics Colab. A simulation of a cell passively stabilized by the provision of extracellular molecules has been included, as well as considerations of the effects of dimpling of the membrane on its mechanical stability.
Zahra Aminzare has been included as an author for her contributions to solving the system of equations.