Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in Cardiovascular Diseases

Cells. 2022 Sep 28;11(19):3040. doi: 10.3390/cells11193040.

Abstract

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a biochemical process in cells that can drive proteins, RNA, and other molecules to concentrate into droplets. These droplets do not have a lipid membrane but rather exist as distinct organelles relative to the surrounding environment, and act as biochemical reaction chambers. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the study of LLPS, especially in the neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and virology fields, but little is known about LLPS in cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the mechanism and biological functions of LLPS, particularly its roles in regulating CVD.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; liquid–liquid phase separation; membrane-free organelle.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lipids
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases* / metabolism
  • Organelles / metabolism
  • RNA / metabolism

Substances

  • Lipids
  • RNA

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant no. 82170339), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant no. 82270241) and NSFC Incubation Project of Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Grant no. KY0120220021). The work was not funded by any industry sponsors.