Phase behaviour of disordered proteins underlying low density and high permeability of liquid organelles

Nat Chem. 2017 Nov;9(11):1118-1125. doi: 10.1038/nchem.2803. Epub 2017 Jun 26.

Abstract

Many intracellular membraneless organelles form via phase separation of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) or regions (IDRs). These include the Caenorhabditis elegans protein LAF-1, which forms P granule-like droplets in vitro. However, the role of protein disorder in phase separation and the macromolecular organization within droplets remain elusive. Here, we utilize a novel technique, ultrafast-scanning fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, to measure the molecular interactions and full coexistence curves (binodals), which quantify the protein concentration within LAF-1 droplets. The binodals of LAF-1 and its IDR display a number of unusual features, including 'high concentration' binodal arms that correspond to remarkably dilute droplets. We find that LAF-1 and other in vitro and intracellular droplets are characterized by an effective mesh size of ∼3-8 nm, which determines the size scale at which droplet properties impact molecular diffusion and permeability. These findings reveal how specific IDPs can phase separate to form permeable, low-density (semi-dilute) liquids, whose structural features are likely to strongly impact biological function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Intrinsically Disordered Proteins / chemistry*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Organelles / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Permeability
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

  • Intrinsically Disordered Proteins