German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
Brain Res Bull. 2023 Mar;194:105-117. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.01.009. Epub 2023 Jan 20.
Biomolecular condensation of proteins contributes to the organization of the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. A number of condensation processes appear to be directly involved in regulating the structure, function and dynamics of the cytoskeleton. Liquid-liquid phase separation of cytoskeleton proteins, together with polymerization modulators, promotes cytoskeletal fiber nucleation and branching. Furthermore, the attachment of protein condensates to the cytoskeleton can contribute to cytoskeleton stability and organization, regulate transport, create patterns of functional reaction containers, and connect the cytoskeleton with membranes. Surface-bound condensates can exert and buffer mechanical forces that give stability and flexibility to the cytoskeleton, thus, may play a large role in cell biology. In this review, we introduce the concept and role of cellular biomolecular condensation, explain its special function on cytoskeletal fiber surfaces, and point out potential definition and experimental caveats. We review the current literature on protein condensation processes related to the actin, tubulin, and intermediate filament cytoskeleton, and discuss some of them in the context of neurobiology. In summary, we provide an overview about biomolecular condensation in relation to cytoskeleton structure and function, which offers a base for the exploration and interpretation of cytoskeletal condensates in neurobiology.
生物分子的凝聚作用有助于细胞质和核质的组织。许多凝聚过程似乎直接参与调节细胞骨架的结构、功能和动力学。细胞骨架蛋白的液-液相分离,加上聚合调节剂,促进了细胞骨架纤维的成核和分支。此外,蛋白质凝聚物与细胞骨架的附着有助于细胞骨架的稳定性和组织,调节运输,形成功能反应容器的模式,并将细胞骨架与膜连接。表面结合的凝聚物可以施加和缓冲机械力,使细胞骨架具有稳定性和灵活性,因此,在细胞生物学中可能发挥重要作用。在这篇综述中,我们介绍了细胞生物分子凝聚的概念和作用,解释了它在细胞骨架纤维表面的特殊功能,并指出了潜在的定义和实验注意事项。我们回顾了与肌动蛋白、微管和中间丝细胞骨架相关的蛋白质凝聚过程的现有文献,并在神经生物学的背景下讨论了其中的一些。总之,我们提供了一个关于生物分子凝聚与细胞骨架结构和功能关系的概述,为探索和解释神经生物学中的细胞骨架凝聚物提供了基础。