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Cited by 185Origins and Evolution of LifeRNA and protein synthesis mechanismsElectrostatics and Colloid Interactions

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Prebiotically-relevant low polyion multivalency can improve functionality of membraneless compartments

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Cakmak, Fatma Pir, Choi, Saehyun, Meyer, McCauley O., Bevilacqua, Philip C., Keating, Christine D.·2020·Nature Communications
DOI 10.1038/s41467-020-19775-wPMC PMC7683531

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Abstract

Multivalent polyions can undergo complex coacervation, producing membraneless compartments that accumulate ribozymes and enhance catalysis, and offering a mechanism for functional prebiotic compartmentalization in the origins of life. Here, we evaluate the impact of lower, more prebiotically-relevant, polyion multivalency on the functional performance of coacervates as compartments. Positively and negatively charged homopeptides with 1–100 residues and adenosine mono-, di-, and triphosphate nucleotides are used as model polyions. Polycation/polyanion pairs are tested for coacervation, and resulting membraneless compartments are analyzed for salt resistance, ability to provide a distinct internal microenvironment (apparent local pH, RNA partitioning), and effect on RNA structure formation. We find that coacervates formed by phase separation of the shorter polyions more effectively generated distinct pH microenvironments, accumulated RNA, and preserved duplexes than those formed by longer polyions. Hence, coacervates formed by reduced multivalency polyions are not only viable as functional compartments for prebiotic chemistries, they can outperform higher molecular weight analogues.

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  • RNA displaces ADP in the droplets.

    “displaces ADP in the droplets37”

    From Active coacervate droplets are protocells that grow and resist Ostwald ripening (2021) · cites this paper as [37]

    The Results section on RNA partitioning (page unavailable) describes RNA entering droplets by displacing ATP or (Asp)n polyanions. It does not report displacement of ADP, so the claim applies the reported mechanism to a different nucleotide. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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Metadata

Authors
Cakmak, F. P., Choi, S., Meyer, M. O., Bevilacqua, P. C., & Keating, C. D.
Affiliations
Pennsylvania State University (US)
Corresponding author
  • Bevilacqua, Philip C.
  • Keating, Christine D.
ORCID
Venue
Nature Communications
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2020-11-23
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
5949-5949
ISSN
2041-1723 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41467-020-19775-w
PMC
PMC7683531
OpenAlex
W3108439960
Cited by
185
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 30 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 3
FWCI
7.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nature Communications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ScholarSphere (Penn State Libraries) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (80NSSC17K0034, 80NSSC19K1531)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Physical and Theoretical Chemistry › Electrostatics and Colloid Interactions
Keywords
biomolecular condensates, coacervation, origin of life, homopeptides, nucleotides, RNA duplex stability, phase separation, ribozyme catalysis
MeSH terms
Origin of Life, Polyelectrolytes, Adenine Nucleotides, Catalysis, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Nucleic Acid Conformation, Peptides, Polymers, RNA, Phase Transition

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