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Liquid-liquid phase separation-boosted transmembrane delivery in interactive protocell communities

Author

Listed:
  • Yan Huang

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Haixu Chen

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Xin Qiao

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Shangsong Li

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Xiaoliang Wang

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Xiaoman Liu

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Xin Huang

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Stress stimulation-mediated liquid-liquid phase separation is a key activity in living organisms, but its biophysical characteristics are poorly understood. Here, we report a UV-light stress stimulation behaviour in a binary community of synthetic protocells of condensates and proteinosomes, showing that condensates could behave like Condensate Pumps to enable a stepwise controlled transmembrane mass transfer regardless of the permeability barrier of proteinosomes. The stimulation mechanism of interfacial tension-induced proteinosome deformation and transient high osmotic pressure arisen by the dissociation of condensate is proposed. Accordingly, under UV-light stress stimulation, unexpected characteristics could be triggered by transmembrane pumping oversized biomacromolecules into proteinosomes including liquid-liquid reentrant phase separation, DNA unwinding, and protein synthesis. Therefore, our results not only reveal unique physical principles and potential characteristics of macromolecular assemblies at droplet-membrane interface but also highlight a pathway for transmembrane transport of biomacromolecules which is anticipated to serve as a powerful technique to inducing higher-order behaviour in synthetic protocells community.

Suggested Citation

  • Yan Huang & Haixu Chen & Xin Qiao & Shangsong Li & Xiaoliang Wang & Xiaoman Liu & Xin Huang, 2025. "Liquid-liquid phase separation-boosted transmembrane delivery in interactive protocell communities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60541-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60541-7
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