Journal
CURRENT OPINION IN STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
Volume 70, Issue -, Pages 78-86Publisher
CURRENT BIOLOGY LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.04.004
Keywords
Protein nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR); Phase; separation; Biomolecular condensates; Membraneless organelles; Molecular dynamics simulations; Advanced sampling techniques; Hyperspectral imaging; Raman spectroscopy; Forster resonance; energy transfer (FRET); Fluorescence lifetime imaging; Magic angle
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Funding
- NIGMS NIH HHS [R01 GM120537] Funding Source: Medline
- NINDS NIH HHS [R01 NS116176] Funding Source: Medline
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Biomolecular phase separation plays a crucial role in the formation of membraneless organelles and biomolecular condensates. Studying and controlling this process requires a multi scale view of biophysical properties, utilizing spectroscopic methods and computational simulations. Future developments should focus on visualizing the biophysical properties of condensates in cells.
Biomolecular phase separation that contributes to the formation of membraneless organelles and biomolecular condensates has recently gained tremendous attention because of the importance of these assemblies in physiology, disease, and engineering applications. Understanding and directing biomolecular phase separation requires a multi scale view of the biophysical properties of these phases. Yet, many classic tools to characterize biomolecular properties do not apply in these condensed phases. Here, we discuss insights obtained from spectroscopic methods, in particular nuclear magnetic resonance and optical spectroscopy, in understanding the molecular and atomic interactions that underlie the formation of protein-rich condensates. We also review approaches closely coupling nuclear magnetic resonance data with computational methods especially coarse-grained and all-atom molecular simulations, which provide insight into molecular features of phase separation. Finally, we point to future methodolical developments, particularly visualizing biophysical properties of condensates in cells.
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