Structure formation in the process of phase separation of ternary system of “poly-D,L-lactide – tetraglycol – antisolvent”

AbstractMultivalent polyions can undergo complex coacervation, producing membraneless compartments that accumulate ribozymes and enhance catalysis, and offering a mechanism for functional prebiotic compartmentalization in the origins of life. Here, we evaluated the impact of low, prebiotically-relevant polyion multivalency in coacervate performance as functional compartments. As model polyions, we used positively and negatively charged homopeptides with one to 100 residues, and adenosine mono-, di-, and triphosphate nucleotides. Polycation/polyanion pairs were tested for coacervation, and resulting membraneless compartments were analyzed for salt resistance, ability to provide a distinct internal microenvironment (apparent local pH, RNA partitioning), and effect on RNA structure formation. We find that coacervates formed by phase separation of the relatively shorter polyions more effectively generated distinct pH microenvironments, accumulated RNA, and preserved duplexes. Hence, reduced multivalency polyions are not only viable as functional compartments for prebiotic chemistries, but they can offer advantages over higher molecular weight analogues.

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Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Crystallization Behavior and Membrane Structure Formation Via Thermally Induced Phase Separation with Benzophenone Diluent

Journal of Macromolecular Science Part B ◽

10.1080/00222340701748628 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 180-191 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Minghao Gu ◽

Jun Zhang ◽

Ying Xia ◽

Xiaolin Wang

Keyword(s):

Phase Separation ◽

Structure Formation ◽

Membrane Structure ◽

Crystallization Behavior ◽

Vinylidene Fluoride ◽

Thermally Induced Phase Separation ◽

Thermally Induced ◽

Poly Vinylidene Fluoride

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A facile preparation of highly interconnected macroporous poly(d,l-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds by liquid–liquid phase separation of a PLGA–dioxane–water ternary system

Polymer ◽

10.1016/s0032-3861(03)00025-9 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 44 (6) ◽

pp. 1911-1920 ◽

Cited By ~ 100

Author(s):

Feng Jun Hua ◽

Tae Gwan Park ◽

Doo Sung Lee

Keyword(s):

Lactic Acid ◽

Phase Separation ◽

Liquid Phase ◽

Ternary System ◽

Glycolic Acid ◽

Liquid Phase Separation ◽

Facile Preparation ◽

Liquid Liquid Phase Separation

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Prebiotically-relevant low polyion multivalency can improve functionality of membraneless compartments

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-020-19775-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fatma Pir Cakmak ◽

Saehyun Choi ◽

McCauley O. Meyer ◽

Philip C. Bevilacqua ◽

Christine D. Keating

Keyword(s):

Molecular Weight ◽

Phase Separation ◽

Structure Formation ◽

Rna Structure ◽

Functional Performance ◽

Salt Resistance ◽

Origins Of Life ◽

Complex Coacervation ◽

The Impact ◽

Local Ph

AbstractMultivalent polyions can undergo complex coacervation, producing membraneless compartments that accumulate ribozymes and enhance catalysis, and offering a mechanism for functional prebiotic compartmentalization in the origins of life. Here, we evaluate the impact of lower, more prebiotically-relevant, polyion multivalency on the functional performance of coacervates as compartments. Positively and negatively charged homopeptides with 1–100 residues and adenosine mono-, di-, and triphosphate nucleotides are used as model polyions. Polycation/polyanion pairs are tested for coacervation, and resulting membraneless compartments are analyzed for salt resistance, ability to provide a distinct internal microenvironment (apparent local pH, RNA partitioning), and effect on RNA structure formation. We find that coacervates formed by phase separation of the shorter polyions more effectively generated distinct pH microenvironments, accumulated RNA, and preserved duplexes than those formed by longer polyions. Hence, coacervates formed by reduced multivalency polyions are not only viable as functional compartments for prebiotic chemistries, they can outperform higher molecular weight analogues.

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