Sodium ion influx regulates liquidity of biomolecular condensates in hyperosmotic stress response

Abstract

Biomolecular condensates are membraneless structures formed through phase separation. Recent studies have demonstrated that the material properties of biomolecular condensates are crucial for their biological functions and pathogenicity. However, the phase maintenance of biomolecular condensates in cells remains elusive. Here, we show that sodium ion (Na⁺) influx regulates the condensate liquidity under hyperosmotic stress. ASK3 condensates have higher fluidity at the high intracellular Na⁺ concentration derived from extracellular hyperosmotic solution. Moreover, we identified TRPM4 as a cation channel that allows Na⁺ influx under hyperosmotic stress. TRPM4 inhibition causes the liquid-to-solid phase transition of ASK3 condensates, leading to impairment of the ASK3 osmoresponse. In addition to ASK3 condensates, intracellular Na⁺ widely regulates the condensate liquidity and aggregate formation of biomolecules, including DCP1A, TAZ, and polyQ-protein, under hyperosmotic stress. Our findings demonstrate that changes in Na⁺ contribute to the cellular stress response via liquidity maintenance of biomolecular condensates.

Keywords: CP: Molecular biology; biomolecular condensate; liquidity; osmotic stress; phase separation; polyQ; protein aggregation; sodium ion.