Optogenetic control of mRNA condensation reveals an intimate link between condensate material properties and functions

Min Lee, Hyungseok C. Moon, Hyeonjeong Jeong, Dong Wook Kim, Hye Yoon Park () and Yongdae Shin ()
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Min Lee: Seoul National University
Hyungseok C. Moon: Seoul National University
Hyeonjeong Jeong: Seoul National University
Dong Wook Kim: Seoul National University
Hye Yoon Park: Seoul National University
Yongdae Shin: Seoul National University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Biomolecular condensates, often assembled through phase transition mechanisms, play key roles in organizing diverse cellular activities. The material properties of condensates, ranging from liquid droplets to solid-like glasses or gels, are key features impacting the way resident components associate with one another. However, it remains unclear whether and how different material properties would influence specific cellular functions of condensates. Here, we combine optogenetic control of phase separation with single-molecule mRNA imaging to study relations between phase behaviors and functional performance of condensates. Using light-activated condensation, we show that sequestering target mRNAs into condensates causes translation inhibition. Orthogonal mRNA imaging reveals highly transient nature of interactions between individual mRNAs and condensates. Tuning condensate composition and material property towards more solid-like states leads to stronger translational repression, concomitant with a decrease in molecular mobility. We further demonstrate that β-actin mRNA sequestration in neurons suppresses spine enlargement during chemically induced long-term potentiation. Our work highlights how the material properties of condensates can modulate functions, a mechanism that may play a role in fine-tuning the output of condensate-driven cellular activities.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47442-x

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