Assembly of Mitotic Structures through Phase Separation

Journal of Molecular Biology
Jeffrey B Woodruff

Abstract

Cells compartmentalize biochemical reactions using organelles, which can be membrane enclosed or built entirely of proteins and ribonucleic acids. Recent studies indicate that many organelles that lack membranes have liquid-like properties, including the ability to flow, fuse, and undergo rapid internal rearrangement. The assembly of these "biomolecular condensates" has been described as liquid-liquid phase separation, whereby their constituent components demix from the cytoplasm, similar to water separating from oil. Other studies suggest that protein phase separation followed by maturation, where intramolecular connections strengthen over time, can lead to gel- or glass-like states. This review discusses how the principles of phase separation might help to understand the assembly and behavior of organelles that operate in mitosis, when the cell assembles the mitotic spindle to segregate chromosomes. Special attention is given to the mitotic pericentriolar material of centrosomes and the spindle matrix.

Citations

Feb 1, 2020·Annual Review of Biophysics·Jeong-Mo ChoiRohit V Pappu
Aug 28, 2020·British Journal of Pharmacology·Wei WangQiaojun He
Apr 11, 2019·Molecular Biology of the Cell·Amanda C DrennanIvan Rayment
Oct 14, 2020·Emerging Topics in Life Sciences·Tina Wiegand, Anthony A Hyman
Oct 18, 2020·Current Opinion in Structural Biology·Wade BorcherdsTanja Mittag
Jan 31, 2021·Biophysical Journal·Jonas AhlersMartina Havenith
Jan 19, 2021·Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology·Swadhin Chandra Jana
Nov 12, 2020·Current Opinion in Structural Biology·Kyung S LeeYan Zeng
Apr 7, 2021·Developmental Cell·Abin BiswasSimone Reber
Apr 10, 2021·The Journal of Cell Biology·Myreille LaroucheVincent Archambault

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