Phasing in physicochemical features

Unlocking the electrochemical functions of biomolecular condensates

  • Yifan Dai
  • Zhen-Gang Wang
  • Richard N. Zare
Perspective

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  • Drops of dew condensing on leaves

    This themed issue presents a collection of Reviews, Perspectives and Articles that aim to reveal the molecular and chemical principles underlying phase-separated condensate formation and promote the development and use of new tools for the study of phase separation biology.

Nature Chemical Biology is a Transformative Journal; authors can publish using the traditional publishing route OR via immediate gold Open Access.

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  • 1,3-Pr2-6-OTs GlcNAlk is a precursor uniquely targeting the essential glycosyltransferase MGAT1 to selectively tag hybrid N-glycan-modified proteins. Some hybrid-glycan tagged proteins move through a route from the Golgi to the nucleus/nucleolus.

    • Mana Mohan Mukherjee
    • Devin Biesbrock
    • John A. Hanover
    Article
  • A cysteine-reactive degrader of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nonstructural protein 14 (nsp14) was identified, which mediates degradation through electrophile-induced global protein ubiquitylation, proteasome activation and the formation of stress granules and aggresomes.

    • Ashley R. Julio
    • Flowreen Shikwana
    • Keriann M. Backus
    Article
  • Application of synthetic glycan (SG) preparations in gnotobiotic mice colonized with a defined bacterial community composed of members of the human gut microbiota identified a SG preparation that selectively altered the fitness of multiple bacteria.

    • Darryl A. Wesener
    • Zachary W. Beller
    • Jeffrey I. Gordon
    ArticleOpen Access
  • The paenilamicins are hybrid nonribosomal peptide–polyketide compounds that inhibit protein synthesis. Here the authors reveal that paenilamicins bind to a unique site on the ribosome, where they interfere with the translocation of mRNA and tRNAs during elongation.

    • Timm O. Koller
    • Max J. Berger
    • Daniel N. Wilson
    ArticleOpen Access
    • Synthesis and characterization of new macrolones — fusions of two antibiotic classes with distinct bacterial targets — reveal the basis for their activity and potential design principles that may help combat development of antimicrobial resistance.

      • Mohamed I. Barmada
      • Graeme L. Conn
      News & Views
    • In May 2024, ‘Protein Degradation in Focus’, a special symposium aimed at bringing together scientists in the targeted protein degradation (TPD) field, was held in Dundee, UK. David Zollman and Kirsten McAulay report on the topics discussed and the exciting outlook for science in the TPD space.

      • David Zollman
      • Kirsten McAulay
      Meeting Report
    • The mechanism underlying the formation of crystals in cells is not completely understood. An article now reports on the biochemical control of the crystal genesis in iridophores.

      • Peter G. Vekilov
      News & Views
    • Characterization of the heterogeneity in the glycosylation of biotherapeutics is crucial for drug development but challenging. Now, an approach allows the rapid analysis of the glycosylation of intact glycoproteins, without prior processing or separation, enabling the study of glycan composition and quality assessment of any glycoprotein drug.

      • Sharon Yehuda
      • Vered Padler-Karavani
      News & Views
    • Covalent modification of cysteine by electrophilic small molecules enables broad targeting of the unliganded proteome. A study reveals that cysteine reactive electrophiles can induce widespread degradation of host proteins and remodeling of cellular proteostasis at commonly used concentrations.

      • Caroline Stanton
      • Kayla Nutsch
      • Michael J. Bollong
      News & Views

Chemical Biology of Microbiomes

Interspecies communication in complex microbiome environments occurs through the small molecules, peptides, and proteins produced by both the host and the microbial residents, as highlighted in this collection of recent articles from Nature Portfolio.
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