The fitness cost and benefit of phase-separated protein deposits.

ABSTRACT: Phase separation of soluble proteins into insoluble deposits is associated with numerous diseases. However, protein deposits can also function as membrane-less compartments for many cellular processes. What are the fitness costs and benefits of forming such deposits in different conditions? Using a model protein that phase-separates into deposits, we distinguish and quantify the fitness contribution due to the loss or gain of protein function and deposit formation in yeast. The environmental condition and the cellular demand for the protein function emerge as key determinants of fitness. Protein deposit formation can influence cell-to-cell variation in free protein abundance between individuals of a cell population (i.e., gene expression noise). This results in variable manifestation of pr

SUBMITTER: Sanchez de Groot N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6452874 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature