RESUMO
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biomolecules has emerged as a new paradigm in cell biology, and the process is one proposed mechanism for the formation of membraneless organelles (MLOs). Bacterial cells have only recently drawn strong interest in terms of studies on both liquid-to-liquid and liquid-to-solid phase transitions. It seems that these processes drive the formation of prokaryotic cellular condensates that resemble eukaryotic MLOs. In this review, we present an overview of the key microbial biomolecules that undergo LLPS, as well as the formation and organization of biomacromolecular condensates within the intracellular space. We also discuss the current challenges in investigating bacterial biomacromolecular condensates. Additionally, we highlight a summary of recent knowledge about the participation of bacterial biomolecules in a phase transition and provide some new in silico analyses that can be helpful for further investigations.
Assuntos
Eucariotos , Organelas , Espaço Intracelular , Transição de FaseRESUMO
Membraneless organelles (MLOs) are a large group of intracellular compartments formed during various stages of a cell life. They are important subcellular structures which enable a cell performance of vital physiological processes including stress response. MLOs can be found in cytoplasm and organelles that are sealed by lipidic membrane, mainly in nucleus. They are formed by the thermodynamically driven liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). MLOs contain proteins possessing intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) which together with RNA spontaneously phase separate from the surrounding milieu. This paper presents information on the biophysical basses of the formation and functionality of MLOs. It also discusses a range of experimental techniques that can be applied in biochemical and biological studies of these sub-cellular structures.
