Berlin 2024 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 31: Protein Structure and Dynamics
BP 31.6: Talk
Thursday, March 21, 2024, 16:45–17:00, H 0112
What is the structure of a biomolecular condensate? — •Charlotta Lorenz1,2, Takumi Matsuzawa1, Etienne Jambon-Puillet3, Teagan Bate1, Kaarthik Varma1, Harsha Koganti1, Gianna Wolfisberg1, Aleksander R. Rebane4, and Eric R. Dufresne1 — 1Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, US — 2ETH Zürich, CH — 3LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, FR — 4New York University Abu Dhabi, AE
Biomolecular condensates are important for a variety of cellular functions, such as biochemical regulation, structural organization, and RNA metabolism. While the properties and physiology of these condensates depend on their structure, this important aspect has received little experimental consideration. On the other hand, recent simulations of disordered proteins with interactions based on the sticker-and-spacer suggest fascinating structures in the bulk and surface of condensates. We aim to reveal the structure of biomolecular condensates using X-ray scattering. Here, we will present results for a simple model system consisting of a stable protein that forms a condensate due to crowding by addition of small molecules. With these results, we aim to establish methods to probe the structure of a wide variety of biomolecular condensates made of intrinsically disordered proteins.
Keywords: biomolecular condensate; liquid-liquid phase separation; X-rays; disordered proteins