Transmembrane coupling of liquid-like protein condensates

Yohan Lee, Sujin Park, Feng Yuan, Carl C. Hayden, Liping Wang, Eileen M. Lafer, Siyoung Q. Choi and Jeanne C. Stachowiak ()
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Yohan Lee: The University of Texas at Austin
Sujin Park: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Feng Yuan: The University of Texas at Austin
Carl C. Hayden: The University of Texas at Austin
Liping Wang: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Eileen M. Lafer: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Siyoung Q. Choi: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Jeanne C. Stachowiak: The University of Texas at Austin

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Liquid-liquid phase separation of proteins occurs on both surfaces of cellular membranes during diverse physiological processes. In vitro reconstitution could provide insight into the mechanisms underlying these events. However, most existing reconstitution techniques provide access to only one membrane surface, making it difficult to probe transmembrane phenomena. To study protein phase separation simultaneously on both membrane surfaces, we developed an array of freestanding planar lipid membranes. Interestingly, we observed that liquid-like protein condensates on one side of the membrane colocalized with those on the other side, resulting in transmembrane coupling. Our results, based on lipid probe partitioning and mobility of lipids, suggest that protein condensates locally reorganize membrane lipids, a process which could be explained by multiple effects. These findings suggest a mechanism by which signals originating on one side of a biological membrane, triggered by protein phase separation, can be transferred to the opposite side.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43332-w

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