Stress granule formation via ATP depletion-triggered phase separation

TL;DR

This paper presents a minimal model explaining how ATP depletion triggers stress granule formation through phase separation, highlighting ATP hydrolysis's role in preventing granule formation under normal conditions.

Contribution

The study introduces a minimal, reaction-regulated phase separation model specifically for stress granules, emphasizing ATP depletion as a trigger.

Findings

ATP hydrolysis prevents stress granule formation during normal conditions

ATP depletion leads to phase separation and granule formation

Model predictions can be experimentally tested

Abstract

Stress granules (SG) are droplets of proteins and RNA that form in the cell cytoplasm during stress conditions. We consider minimal models of stress granule formation based on the mechanism of phase separation regulated by ATP-driven chemical reactions. Motivated by experimental observations, we identify a minimal model of SG formation triggered by ATP depletion. Our analysis indicates that ATP is continuously hydrolysed to deter SG formation under normal conditions, and we provide specific predictions that can be tested experimentally.