Multiphasic condensates formed with mono-component of tetrapeptides via phase separation

Laicheng Zhou, Longchen Zhu, Cong Wang, Tengyan Xu, Jing Wang, Bin Zhang (), Xin Zhang () and Huaimin Wang ()
Additional contact information
Laicheng Zhou: Zhejiang University
Longchen Zhu: Westlake University
Cong Wang: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Tengyan Xu: Westlake University
Jing Wang: Westlake University
Bin Zhang: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Xin Zhang: Westlake University
Huaimin Wang: Westlake University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Biomolecular condensates, formed by liquid-liquid phase separation of biomacromolecules, play crucial roles in regulating physiological events in biological systems. While multiphasic condensates have been extensively studied, those derived from a single component of short peptides have not yet been reported. Here, we report the symmetrical core-shell structural biomolecular condensates formed with a programmable tetrapeptide library via phase separation. Our findings reveal that tryptophan is essential for core-shell structure formation due to its strongest homotypical π-π interaction, enabling us to modulate the structure of condensates from core-shell to homogeneous by altering the amino acid composition. Molecular dynamics simulation combined with cryogenic focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy and cryogenic electron microscopy show that the inner core of multiphasic tetrapeptide condensates is solid-like, consisting of ordered structures. The core is enveloped by a liquid-like shell, stabilizing the core structure. Furthermore, we demonstrate control over multiphasic condensate formation through intrinsic redox reactions or post-translational modifications, facilitating the rational design of synthetic multiphasic condensates for various applications on demand.

Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58060-6 Abstract (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58060-6

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58060-6

Access Statistics for this article

Nature Communications is currently edited by Nathalie Le Bot, Enda Bergin and Fiona Gillespie

More articles in Nature Communications from Nature
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().