Enzymatic Reactions inside Biological Condensates

Biological enzymes significantly speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. The complex environment within cells has long been appreciated as a major regulator of enzymatic activities. Recent advances in the rapidly evolving field of biological condensates, which are spontaneously formed by macromolecules through phase separation, suggest new possibilities for how enzymatic reactions may be modulated within cells. Here, we review the latest studies of enzymatic reactions in biological condensates focusing on basic concepts in enzymology and discussing some context-dependent roles of phase separation in regulating biochemical reactions. (C) 2020 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Biological enzymes accelerate chemical reactions in living organisms, and the complex environment within cells is a major regulator of enzyme activity. Biological condensates, formed spontaneously through phase separation, offer new possibilities for modulating enzymatic reactions.