Berlin 2018 – wissenschaftliches Programm
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 9: Postersession I
BP 9.36: Poster
Montag, 12. März 2018, 17:30–19:30, Poster A
Peptide heterogeneity enhances genetic identity and fluidity of RNA rich complex coacervates — •Juan M. Iglesias-Artola1, Mrityunjoy Kar1, Anatol W. Fritsch1, Bjorn Drobot1, Hannes Mutschler2, Dora Tang1, and Moritz Kreysing1 — 1MPI-CBG, Dresden, Germany — 2MPIB, Munich, Germany
Complex coacervates have been proposed as a model system for protocells, and we found that they spontaneously assemble in temperature gradients. We have formed complex coacervates from short cationic peptides and an enzymatic RNA molecule. The coacervation process that we observe occurs through the interaction of a positively charged peptide and a negatively charged RNA. As a result, neutral complexes are formed, which phase separate from the surrounding medium to generate droplets. We characterized the physical properties of the RNA inside these compartments. The mobility of the RNA inside these droplets can be tuned by changing the peptide-RNA interaction strength and by the presence of other components in the surrounding medium. These droplets sequester RNA efficiently and can maintain genetic identity for long periods of time. Currently, we are working on rescuing RNA enzymatic activity inside these compartments. Here, we provide evidence on how a rudimentary identity of fluid protocells, necessary for the onset of natural selection, could have arisen when only simple components were available.