Basic design of artificial membrane-less organelles using condensation-prone proteins in plant cells

• Published in: Communications biology Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 1396 - 22
• Main Authors: Koja, Yoshito, Arakawa, Takuya, Yoritaka, Yusuke, Joshima, Yu, Kobayashi, Hazuki, Toda, Kenta, Takeda, Shin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 26.10.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 13; 14; 42; 631/449/448; 631/61/447/2311; Arabidopsis - genetics; Arabidopsis - metabolism; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Condensates; Dimerization; Life Sciences; Localization; Nanobodies; Organelles; Organelles - metabolism; Oryza - genetics; Oryza - metabolism; Oryza sativa; Plant cells; Plant Cells - metabolism; Plant Proteins - chemistry; Plant Proteins - genetics; Plant Proteins - metabolism; Plants, Genetically Modified; Proteins; Transgenic plants
• ISSN: 2399-3642; 2399-3642
• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-07102-8

Membrane-less organelles, formed by the condensation of biomolecules, play a pivotal role in eukaryotes. Artificial membrane-less organelles and condensates are effective tools for the creation of new cellular functions. However, it is poorly understood how to control the properties that affect condensate function, particularly in plants. Here, we report the construction of model artificial condensates using the condensation-prone proteins OsJAZ2 and AtFCA in a transient assay using rice ( Oryza sativa ) cells, and how condensate properties, such as subcellular localization, protein mobility, and size can be altered. We showed that proteins of interest can be recruited to condensates using nanobodies or chemically induced dimerization. Furthermore, by combining two types of condensation-prone proteins, we demonstrated that artificial hybrid condensates with heterogeneous material properties could be constructed. Finally, we showed that modified artificial condensates can be constructed in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants. These results provide a framework for the basic design of synthetic membrane-less organelles in plants. Studies using condensation-prone proteins suggest that it is possible to construct and combine artificial condensates with various properties in plant cells, providing a framework for the basic design of synthetic membrane-less organelles in plants.