Cross-β polymerization and hydrogel formation by low-complexity sequence proteins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Low-complexity (LC) sequences, typically believed to be incapable of assuming structural order, are abundant constituents of the proteomes of all eukaryotic organisms. These sequences have emerged as critical components for formation of meso-scaled, sub-cellular organelles not invested by surrounding membranes, exemplified by RNA granules. We have observed that LC domains of many RNA binding proteins known to be constituents of RNA granules readily form labile cross-β polymers under physiological conditions. Several lines of experimentation have shown that formation of labile, cross-β polymers assembled from LC domain monomers is important for formation of RNA granules. Among the various experiments we have carried out, hydrogel binding assays have evolved as a versatile technique allowing a reliable means of assessing polymer formation and the binding of heterotypic cellular components integral to the formation of RNA granules. This article presents methods allowing for the production of hydrogel droplets composed of LC domain polymers. We further describe methods allowing straightforward assessment for binding of test LC domains to hydrogel droplets by fluorescence microscopy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3-11
Number of pages9
JournalMethods
Volume126
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 15 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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