News about Protein condensation regulates water in cells

 

This is interesting about cells. Modifying the osmolarity conditions in a cell make some proteins to form condensates that somehow overcome and regulate these changes avoiding lysis or apoptosis.  Osmosis, the passive movement of water across membranes, regulated by solute concentrations, influences cell water content. Cellular mechanisms regulating osmotic changes operate over minutes to hours, potentially insufficient during sudden environmental shifts. Bound water, distinct from free water in cells, affects macromolecule structure and function. Biomolecular phase separation forms distinct phases called condensates, organizing macromolecules into membraneless organelles, which serve as reaction sites in cells.

de Souza, J. P.; Stone, H. A. Protein Condensation Regulates Water Availability in Cells. Nature 2023, 623 (7988), 698–699. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-03098-z.