Structural basis of LLPS of RNA repeats related to neurodegenerative diseases

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H03192
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 43020:Structural biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Katahira Masato 京都大学, エネルギー理工学研究所, 教授 (70211844)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 液液相分離 / コンデンセート / 拡散係数 / 並進運動 / 横緩和時間 / 回転運動 / 核酸

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Regarding the liquid-liquid phase separation (Sato et al., Science Advances, 2020) that occurs with Y-shaped DNA (Y-DNA) discovered by Takinoue et al., the behavior of molecules in the condensate layer was analyzed by determining the diffusion coefficient reflecting the speed of translational motion and the transverse relaxation time reflecting the speed of rotational motion by NMR method. In the case of Y-DNA in condensate, both translational and rotational were suppressed. When other molecules are involved in this condensate, it was found that the translation and rotation may or may not be suppressed, depending on the size and charge of the molecules. The findings obtained in this study are significant in understanding and utilizing the droplets generated by liquid-liquid phase separation as reaction fields.

Free Research Field

生物物理化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

タンパク質あるいはタンパク質と核酸の複合体が液液相分離を生じる事が見いだされ、生命現象を理解する鍵となる事象として大きな注目を集めている。また液液相分離で生じる液滴は、反応場として活用できる可能性もある。その後、核酸のみで生じる液液相分離も見出されたが、知見は未だ限られている。今回核酸のみからなるコンデンセート中の分子の挙動に関する定量的な情報が得られた事により、同液滴に関する理解とその応用が格段に進むと考えられる。