NMR insights into dynamic, multivalent interactions of intrinsically disordered regions: from discrete complexes to condensates

Essays Biochem. 2022 Dec 16;66(7):863-873. doi: 10.1042/EBC20220056.

Abstract

The spatial and temporal organization of interactions between proteins underlie the regulation of most cellular processes. The requirement for such interactions to be specific predisposes a view that protein-protein interactions are relatively static and are formed through the stable complementarity of the interacting partners. A growing body of reports indicate, however, that many interactions lead to fuzzy complexes with an ensemble of conformations in dynamic exchange accounting for the observed binding. Here, we discuss how NMR has facilitated the characterization of these discrete, dynamic complexes and how such characterization has aided the understanding of dynamic, condensed phases of phase-separating proteins with exchanging multivalent interactions.

Keywords: NMR spectroscopy; biomolecular condensates; fuzzy complexes; intrinsically disordered proteins; phase separation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biochemical Phenomena*
  • Intrinsically Disordered Proteins* / chemistry

Substances

  • Intrinsically Disordered Proteins