Droplets of the protein McdB (green) that have phase separated out of solution and will behave like liquids by growing and fusing together. Image credit: Joe Basalla (CC BY 4.0).
Cells contain many millions of protein molecules that must be in the right place at the right time to carry out their roles. A process called phase separation, in which a well-mixed solution separates into two phases – one concentrated and one dilute – is thought to help organize the contents of various cell types.
The single-celled bacteria Synechococcus elongatus converts carbon dioxide from the air into sugars using internal reaction centers. This process depends on a protein called McdB which is crucial for spatially organizing these centers. McdB readily phase separates on its own in a test tube, raising the possibility that this phenomenon could be involved in the carbon dioxide-capturing process.
To investigate, Basalla et al. identified the parts of McdB responsible for phase separation and modified them to make a version that was less able to separate. When viewed under the microscope, Synechococcus elongatus cells containing the altered McdB showed changes in the organization and structure of the reaction centers. This suggests that phase separation by McdB is required for optimal carbon capture by this bacterium.
In the future, manipulation of McdB phase separation could be used to improve carbon capture technologies or enhance crop growth. Phase separation is also known to influence complex disease. Therefore, further understanding of the process could be important for developing new disease treatments.
