Enzyme-Enriched Condensates Show Self-Propulsion, Positioning, and Coexistence

Enzyme-enriched condensates can organize the spatial distribution of their substrates by catalyzing nonequilibrium reactions. Conversely, an inhomogeneous substrate distribution induces enzyme fluxes through substrate-enzyme interactions. We find that condensates move toward the center of a confining domain when this feedback is weak. Above a feedback threshold, they exhibit self-propulsion, leading to oscillatory dynamics. Moreover, catalysis-driven enzyme fluxes can lead to interrupted coarsening, resulting in equidistant condensate positioning, and to condensate division.

Automated summary

Enzyme-enriched condensates can regulate the distribution of their substrates and induce enzyme fluxes through feedback interactions. Weak feedback leads to condensate movement towards the center of a confined domain, while above a threshold, self-propulsion and oscillatory dynamics occur. Enzyme-driven fluxes can also result in interrupted coarsening and condensate division, leading to equidistant positioning.