Biomolecular condensates in membrane receptor signaling

Khuloud Jaqaman, Jonathon A. Ditlev

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Clustering is a prominent feature of receptors at the plasma membrane (PM). It plays an important role in signaling. Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of proteins is emerging as a novel mechanism underlying the observed clustering. Receptors/transmembrane signaling proteins can be core components essential for LLPS (such as LAT or nephrin) or clients enriched at the phase-separated condensates (for example, at the postsynaptic density or at tight junctions). Condensate formation has been shown to regulate signaling in multiple ways, including by increasing protein binding avidity and by modulating the local biochemical environment. In moving forward, it is important to study protein LLPS at the PM of living cells, its interplay with other factors underlying receptor clustering, and its signaling and functional consequences.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)48-54
Number of pages7
JournalCurrent Opinion in Cell Biology
Volume69
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2021

Keywords

  • Cell surface receptors
  • Clustering
  • LAT
  • Nephrin
  • Phase separation
  • Plasma membrane
  • Postsynaptic density
  • Signal transduction
  • T cell signaling
  • Tight junction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology

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