TDP-43 multidomains and RNA modulate interactions and viscoelasticity in biomolecular condensates

Fuente: arXiv
Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Matsushita, Yui, Yasuda, Ikki, Watanabe, Fuga, Yamamoto, Eiji
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1866918485436661760
author Matsushita, Yui
Yasuda, Ikki
Watanabe, Fuga
Yamamoto, Eiji
author_facet Matsushita, Yui
Yasuda, Ikki
Watanabe, Fuga
Yamamoto, Eiji
contents RNA-binding proteins form biomolecular condensates with RNA through phase separation, playing crucial roles in various cellular processes. While intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are key drivers of phase separation, additional factors such as folded domains and RNA also influence condensate formation and physical properties. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation remain elusive. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate how the multidomain structure of TDP-43, which consists of its IDR, RNA recognition motifs (RRMs), and N-terminal domain (NTD), interacts with RNA and affects the characteristics of phase separation. Our analysis reveals that interaction sites within the IDR undergo dynamic rearrangement, driven by key residues that depend on the specific combination of folded domains. Upon RNA binding, several intermolecular interactions of TDP-43 are replaced by TDP-43-polyA interactions, altering viscoelastic properties of the condensate. Specifically, RRMs enhance viscosity, whereas the NTD reduces it. The presence of polyA increases elasticity, making viscosity and elasticity comparable in magnitude. These findings suggest that the multidomain structure of TDP-43 and its RNA interactions orchestrate condensate organization, modulating their viscoelastic properties.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_19790
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle TDP-43 multidomains and RNA modulate interactions and viscoelasticity in biomolecular condensates
Matsushita, Yui
Yasuda, Ikki
Watanabe, Fuga
Yamamoto, Eiji
Soft Condensed Matter
Computational Physics
Biomolecules
RNA-binding proteins form biomolecular condensates with RNA through phase separation, playing crucial roles in various cellular processes. While intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are key drivers of phase separation, additional factors such as folded domains and RNA also influence condensate formation and physical properties. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation remain elusive. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate how the multidomain structure of TDP-43, which consists of its IDR, RNA recognition motifs (RRMs), and N-terminal domain (NTD), interacts with RNA and affects the characteristics of phase separation. Our analysis reveals that interaction sites within the IDR undergo dynamic rearrangement, driven by key residues that depend on the specific combination of folded domains. Upon RNA binding, several intermolecular interactions of TDP-43 are replaced by TDP-43-polyA interactions, altering viscoelastic properties of the condensate. Specifically, RRMs enhance viscosity, whereas the NTD reduces it. The presence of polyA increases elasticity, making viscosity and elasticity comparable in magnitude. These findings suggest that the multidomain structure of TDP-43 and its RNA interactions orchestrate condensate organization, modulating their viscoelastic properties.
title TDP-43 multidomains and RNA modulate interactions and viscoelasticity in biomolecular condensates
topic Soft Condensed Matter
Computational Physics
Biomolecules
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.19790