Sequence-encoded and composition-dependent protein-RNA interactions control multiphasic condensate morphologies

Nat Commun. 2021 Feb 8;12(1):872. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-21089-4.

Abstract

Multivalent protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions are the drivers of biological phase separation. Biomolecular condensates typically contain a dense network of multiple proteins and RNAs, and their competing molecular interactions play key roles in regulating the condensate composition and structure. Employing a ternary system comprising of a prion-like polypeptide (PLP), arginine-rich polypeptide (RRP), and RNA, we show that competition between the PLP and RNA for a single shared partner, the RRP, leads to RNA-induced demixing of PLP-RRP condensates into stable coexisting phases-homotypic PLP condensates and heterotypic RRP-RNA condensates. The morphology of these biphasic condensates (non-engulfing/ partial engulfing/ complete engulfing) is determined by the RNA-to-RRP stoichiometry and the hierarchy of intermolecular interactions, providing a glimpse of the broad range of multiphasic patterns that are accessible to these condensates. Our findings provide a minimal set of physical rules that govern the composition and spatial organization of multicomponent and multiphasic biomolecular condensates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Arginine / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Prions / metabolism
  • RNA / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Surface Tension

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Prions
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • RNA
  • Arginine