Phase Transitions of Associative Biomacromolecules

Multivalent proteins and nucleic acids, collectively referred to as multivalent associative biomacromolecules, provide the driving forces for the formation and compositional regulation of biomolecular condensates. Here, we review the key concepts of phase transitions of aqueous solutions of associative biomacromolecules, specifically proteins that include folded domains and intrinsically disordered regions. The phase transitions of these systems come under the rubric of coupled associative and segregative transitions. The concepts underlying these processes are presented, and their relevance to biomolecular condensates is discussed.

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• WU
  Washington University in St. Louis
• SJ
  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• JH
  Johns Hopkins University
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: T32 EB028092
• NI
  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• AF
  Air Force Office of Scientific Research