Jeanne C. Stachowiak

Nov 8, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Yohan Lee |Feng Yuan |Jeanne C. Stachowiak |Jerry L. Cabriales

AbstractTimely and precise assembly of protein complexes on membrane surfaces is essential to the physiology of living cells. Recently, protein phase separation has been observed at cellular membranes, suggesting it may play a role in the assembly of protein complexes. Inspired by these findings, we observed that protein condensates on one side of a planar suspended membrane spontaneously colocalized with those on the opposite side.

Apr 10, 2024 | nature.com | Kristin Graham |Jeanne C. Stachowiak

AbstractSeveral actin-binding proteins (ABPs) phase separate to form condensates capable of curating the actin network shapes. Here, we use computational modeling to understand the principles of actin network organization within VASP condensate droplets. Our simulations reveal that the different actin shapes, namely shells, rings, and mixture states are highly dependent on the kinetics of VASP-actin interactions, suggesting that they arise from kinetic trapping.