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Surface tension measurement and calculation of model biomolecular condensates

The surface tension of liquid-like protein-rich biomolecular condensates is an emerging physical principle governing the mesoscopic interior organisation of biological cells. In this study, we present a method to evaluate the surface tension of model biomolecular condensates, through straighforward...

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Autores principales: Holland, Jack, Castrejón-Pita, Alfonso A., Tuinier, Remco, Aarts, Dirk G. A. L., Nott, Timothy J.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: The Royal Society of Chemistry 2023
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10663989/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37791635
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d3sm00820g
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author Holland, Jack
Castrejón-Pita, Alfonso A.
Tuinier, Remco
Aarts, Dirk G. A. L.
Nott, Timothy J.
author_facet Holland, Jack
Castrejón-Pita, Alfonso A.
Tuinier, Remco
Aarts, Dirk G. A. L.
Nott, Timothy J.
author_sort Holland, Jack
collection PubMed
description The surface tension of liquid-like protein-rich biomolecular condensates is an emerging physical principle governing the mesoscopic interior organisation of biological cells. In this study, we present a method to evaluate the surface tension of model biomolecular condensates, through straighforward sessile drop measurements of capillary lengths and condensate densities. Our approach bypasses the need for characterizing condensate viscosities, which was required in previously reported techniques. We demonstrate this method using model condensates comprising two mutants of the intrinsically disordered protein Ddx4(N). Notably, we uncover a detrimental impact of increased protein net charge on the surface tension of Ddx4(N) condensates. Furthermore, we explore the application of Scheutjens–Fleer theory, calculating condensate surface tensions through a self-consistent mean-field framework using Flory–Huggins interaction parameters. This relatively simple theory provides semi-quantitative accuracy in predicting Ddx4(N) condensate surface tensions and enables the evaluation of molecular organisation at condensate surfaces. Our findings shed light on the molecular details of fluid–fluid interfaces in biomolecular condensates.
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spelling pubmed-106639892023-09-20 Surface tension measurement and calculation of model biomolecular condensates Holland, Jack Castrejón-Pita, Alfonso A. Tuinier, Remco Aarts, Dirk G. A. L. Nott, Timothy J. Soft Matter Chemistry The surface tension of liquid-like protein-rich biomolecular condensates is an emerging physical principle governing the mesoscopic interior organisation of biological cells. In this study, we present a method to evaluate the surface tension of model biomolecular condensates, through straighforward sessile drop measurements of capillary lengths and condensate densities. Our approach bypasses the need for characterizing condensate viscosities, which was required in previously reported techniques. We demonstrate this method using model condensates comprising two mutants of the intrinsically disordered protein Ddx4(N). Notably, we uncover a detrimental impact of increased protein net charge on the surface tension of Ddx4(N) condensates. Furthermore, we explore the application of Scheutjens–Fleer theory, calculating condensate surface tensions through a self-consistent mean-field framework using Flory–Huggins interaction parameters. This relatively simple theory provides semi-quantitative accuracy in predicting Ddx4(N) condensate surface tensions and enables the evaluation of molecular organisation at condensate surfaces. Our findings shed light on the molecular details of fluid–fluid interfaces in biomolecular condensates. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2023-09-20 /pmc/articles/PMC10663989/ /pubmed/37791635 http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d3sm00820g Text en This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
spellingShingle Chemistry
Holland, Jack
Castrejón-Pita, Alfonso A.
Tuinier, Remco
Aarts, Dirk G. A. L.
Nott, Timothy J.
Surface tension measurement and calculation of model biomolecular condensates
title Surface tension measurement and calculation of model biomolecular condensates
title_full Surface tension measurement and calculation of model biomolecular condensates
title_fullStr Surface tension measurement and calculation of model biomolecular condensates
title_full_unstemmed Surface tension measurement and calculation of model biomolecular condensates
title_short Surface tension measurement and calculation of model biomolecular condensates
title_sort surface tension measurement and calculation of model biomolecular condensates
topic Chemistry
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10663989/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37791635
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d3sm00820g
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