Small molecule fluorescent probes for the study of protein phase separation

Tze Cin Owyong; Jiamin Zhao; Yuning Hong

doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102354

Small molecule fluorescent probes for the study of protein phase separation

Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2023 Oct:76:102354. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102354. Epub 2023 Jun 24.

Authors

Tze Cin Owyong¹, Jiamin Zhao², Yuning Hong³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086 Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
² Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086 Australia.
³ Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086 Australia. Electronic address: Y.Hong@latrobe.edu.au.

PMID: 37364418
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102354

Abstract

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and liquid-solid phase transitions (LSPT) play crucial roles in biological systems, including sorting biomolecules, facilitate the transport of substrates for assembly, and accelerate the formation of metabolic and signaling complexes. Efforts towards improved characterization and quantification of phase separated species remain of outstanding interest and priority. In this review, we cover recent advances and the strategies used with small molecule fluorescent probes for the study of phase separation.

Keywords: Aggregation-induced emission; Fluorescent probes; Liquid–liquid phase separation; Protein aggregation; Proteostasis.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Fluorescent Dyes*
Phase Transition
Proteins*

Substances

Fluorescent Dyes
Proteins