Cells contain compartments composed of phase-separated protein condensates. We find that these condensates have a unique chemical microenvironment that enriches amphipathic metabolites such as phospholipids. Therefore, condensates are mixtures of proteins, nucleic acids and specific metabolites. The presence of phospholipids and other amphipathic metabolites might enable condensates to facilitate specific metabolic reactions.
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This is a summary of: Dumelie, J. G. et al. Biomolecular condensates create phospholipid-enriched microenvironments. Nat. Chem. Biol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-023-01474-4 (2023).
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Characterizing the metabolomes of phase-separated condensates. Nat Chem Biol 20, 273–274 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-023-01487-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-023-01487-z
