Physics of compartmentalization: How phase separation and signaling shape membrane and organelle identity

Autor: Elisa Floris, Andrea Piras, Luca Dall’Asta, Andrea Gamba, Emilio Hirsch, Carlo C. Campa
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, Vol 19, Iss , Pp 3225-3233 (2021)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2001-0370
DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.05.029
Popis: Compartmentalization of cellular functions is at the core of the physiology of eukaryotic cells. Recent evidences indicate that a universal organizing process – phase separation – supports the partitioning of biomolecules in distinct phases from a single homogeneous mixture, a landmark event in both the biogenesis and the maintenance of membrane and non-membrane-bound organelles. In the cell, ‘passive’ (non energy-consuming) mechanisms are flanked by ‘active’ mechanisms of separation into phases of distinct density and stoichiometry, that allow for increased partitioning flexibility and programmability. A convergence of physical and biological approaches is leading to new insights into the inner functioning of this driver of intracellular order, holding promises for future advances in both biological research and biotechnological applications.
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