Biomolecular condensates are meso-scale assemblies of proteins/RNAs that compartmentalize various cellular processes across all branches of life. They are involved in numerous processes including transcription, RNA processing, translation, signaling and metabolism. Aberrant biomolecular condensates in a cell are linked to diseases including neurodegeneration and cancer in humans, impaired vegetative growth, flowering and germination processes in plants, and loss of fitness or compromised pathogenicity in bacteria.
Numerous proteins and protein-nucleic acid complexes involved in various cellular processes are being discovered to form biomolecular condensates. In many cases, the impact of condensation on these cellular processes is not clear. One fundamental question that needs to be addressed is whether the formation of a biomolecular condensate is a cause or consequence of a cellular process. Specifically, we need to determine if their formation is essential for regulating specific processes—such as by modulating enzyme kinetics, imparting specificity, or storing macromolecules—or if they form due to the inherent properties of proteins and nucleic acids to condense without affecting the cellular process. A systematic approach that involves disrupting the phase separation of a biomolecular condensate, combined with functional studies, in vitro reconstitutions, and high-resolution microscopy to examine their biochemical, biophysical, and structural properties, will help elucidate the function of these condensates. This, in turn, will provide opportunities to effectively target biomolecular condensates.
This themed collection of articles is aimed to increase our understanding of the function of biomolecular condensates involved in various cellular processes. We are interested in cell biology, biochemistry, structural biology, and biophysical papers addressing the form and function of biomolecular condensates across all branches of life including eukaryotes, bacteria, archaea and viruses. In addition to research articles, we also welcome reviews, perspectives and commentaries connected to biomolecular condensation.
Keywords:
Liquid-liquid phase separation, Ribonucleoprotein condensates, transcription condensates, p-bodies, stress granules, BR-bodies, mRNA decay, mRNA storage, signaling condensates, plant condensates, bacterial condensates
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Biomolecular condensates are meso-scale assemblies of proteins/RNAs that compartmentalize various cellular processes across all branches of life. They are involved in numerous processes including transcription, RNA processing, translation, signaling and metabolism. Aberrant biomolecular condensates in a cell are linked to diseases including neurodegeneration and cancer in humans, impaired vegetative growth, flowering and germination processes in plants, and loss of fitness or compromised pathogenicity in bacteria.
Numerous proteins and protein-nucleic acid complexes involved in various cellular processes are being discovered to form biomolecular condensates. In many cases, the impact of condensation on these cellular processes is not clear. One fundamental question that needs to be addressed is whether the formation of a biomolecular condensate is a cause or consequence of a cellular process. Specifically, we need to determine if their formation is essential for regulating specific processes—such as by modulating enzyme kinetics, imparting specificity, or storing macromolecules—or if they form due to the inherent properties of proteins and nucleic acids to condense without affecting the cellular process. A systematic approach that involves disrupting the phase separation of a biomolecular condensate, combined with functional studies, in vitro reconstitutions, and high-resolution microscopy to examine their biochemical, biophysical, and structural properties, will help elucidate the function of these condensates. This, in turn, will provide opportunities to effectively target biomolecular condensates.
This themed collection of articles is aimed to increase our understanding of the function of biomolecular condensates involved in various cellular processes. We are interested in cell biology, biochemistry, structural biology, and biophysical papers addressing the form and function of biomolecular condensates across all branches of life including eukaryotes, bacteria, archaea and viruses. In addition to research articles, we also welcome reviews, perspectives and commentaries connected to biomolecular condensation.
Keywords:
Liquid-liquid phase separation, Ribonucleoprotein condensates, transcription condensates, p-bodies, stress granules, BR-bodies, mRNA decay, mRNA storage, signaling condensates, plant condensates, bacterial condensates
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.