Formation of biological condensates via phase separation: Characteristics, analytical methods, and physiological implications.

ABSTRACT: Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) facilitates the formation of condensed biological assemblies with well-delineated physical boundaries, but without lipid membrane barriers. LLPS is increasingly recognized as a common mechanism for cells to organize and maintain different cellular compartments in addition to classical membrane-delimited organelles. Membraneless condensates have many distinct features that are not present in membrane-delimited organelles and that are likely indispensable for the viability and function of living cells. Malformation of membraneless condensates is increasingly linked to human diseases. In this review, we summarize commonly used methods to investigate various forms of LLPS occurring both in 3D aqueous solution and on 2D membrane bilayers, such as LLPS conde

SUBMITTER: Feng Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6779427 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature