Complex coacervates are organic-rich phases or droplets, formed by spontaneous liquid-liquid phase separation of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes upon mixing. Charged biomolecules, such as charged peptides and nucleic acids, can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation, and these coacervates composed of peptides and nucleic acids have gained significant interest as a model of protocells due to their similarity to liquid biomolecular condensates in cells. Biomolecular condensates in cells are involved in storing RNA that could change structures and functions. RNA compartmentalization in condensates could organize biomolecules, alter catalytic processes and help cells to respond rapidly to environmental stress. Multiple coexisting biomolecular condensates exist in living cells, each with distinct composition and function. However, it is not well understood how coexisting phases selectively accumulate biomolecules such as RNAs and influence their structure and function. This presentation will discuss RNA partitioning and hybridization in a simple model system for coexisting biomolecular condensates. Complex coacervates were composed of simple biomolecules, such as oligopeptides and nucleotides. Multiphase complex coacervate droplets were produced in mixtures of arginine and lysine oligopeptides. These multiphase complex coacervate droplets have different RNA partitioning and hybridization levels in each phase due to local differences in RNA-peptide interactions. This study aids fundamental understanding of how biocondensates influence RNA localization and function, and points to design strategies for protocell construction using coacervate droplets.

RNA partitioning and hybridization in multiphase complex coacervates composed by oligopeptides

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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