Determinants of viscoelasticity and flow activation energy in biomolecular condensates.

ABSTRACT: The form and function of biomolecular condensates are intimately linked to their material properties. Here, we integrate microrheology with molecular simulations to dissect the physical determinants of condensate fluid phase dynamics. By quantifying the timescales and energetics of network relaxation in a series of heterotypic viscoelastic condensates, we uncover distinctive roles of sticker motifs, binding energy, and chain length in dictating condensate dynamical properties. We find that the mechanical relaxation times of condensate-spanning networks are determined by both intermolecular interactions and chain length. We demonstrate, however, that the energy barrier for network reconfiguration, termed flow activation energy, is independent of chain length and only varies with the strengt

SUBMITTER: Alshareedah I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10871536 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature