ATP-responsive biomolecular condensates tune bacterial kinase signaling

Sci Adv. 2022 Feb 18;8(7):eabm6570. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abm6570. Epub 2022 Feb 16.

Abstract

Biomolecular condensates formed via liquid-liquid phase separation enable spatial and temporal organization of enzyme activity. Phase separation in many eukaryotic condensates has been shown to be responsive to intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, although the consequences of these mechanisms for enzymes sequestered within the condensates are unknown. Here, we show that ATP depletion promotes phase separation in bacterial condensates composed of intrinsically disordered proteins. Enhanced phase separation promotes the sequestration and activity of a client kinase enabling robust signaling and maintenance of viability under the stress posed by nutrient scarcity. We propose that a diverse repertoire of condensates can serve as control knobs to tune enzyme sequestration and reactivity in response to the metabolic state of bacterial cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Kinase
  • Adenosine Triphosphate*
  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Biomolecular Condensates
  • Humans
  • Intrinsically Disordered Proteins* / metabolism

Substances

  • Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Adenosine Kinase