Phase-separated biomolecular condensates for biocatalysis
Samuel Lim, Douglas S. Clark
Abstract
Nature often uses dynamically assembling multienzymatic complexes called metabolons to achieve spatiotemporal control of complex metabolic reactions. Researchers are aiming to mimic this strategy of organizing enzymes to enhance the performance of artificial biocatalytic systems. Biomolecular condensates formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) can serve as a powerful tool to drive controlled assembly of enzymes. Diverse enzymatic pathways have been reconstituted within catalytic condensates in vitro as well as synthetic membraneless organelles in living cells. Furthermore, in vivo condensates have been engineered to regulate metabolic pathways by selectively sequestering enzymes. Thus, harnessing LLPS for controlled organization of enzymes provides an opportunity to dynamically regulate biocatalytic processes.