细胞内生物大分子的相分离研究进展

Research progress of phase separation of intracellular biological macromolecules

细胞内生物大分子的相分离(Phase separation)现象是近几年受到极大关注的新兴研究领域。作为一种细胞生化反应的聚集分割机制,其在自然界中广泛存在,参与基因转录调控,影响生物体对外界刺激的应答等重要生理过程。相分离失调可能导致一些重大疾病的发生,诸多交叉领域的研究者正试图通过相分离这个全新角度来审视老年痴呆等相关疾病,探索其发生的分子机制以及通过相分离进行干预和治疗的潜在可能性。文中拟介绍该领域最新研究进展,从生物相分离现象的发现、生化基础及其与疾病发生的联系等方面,综述目前的主要研究方向,并对该领域拟解决的关键问题进行展望。

The phenomenon of phase separation of intracellular biological macromolecules is an emerging research field that has received great attention in recent years.As an aggregation and compartment mechanism of cell biochemical reactions,it widely exists in nature and participates in important physiological processes such as gene transcription and regulation,as well as influences organism’s response to external stimuli.Disequilibrium of phase separation may lead to the occurrence of some major diseases.Researchers in cross-cutting fields are trying to examine dementia and other related diseases from a new perspective of phase separation,exploring its molecular mechanism and the potential possibility of intervention and treatment.This review intends to introduce the latest research progress in this field,summarize the major research directions,biochemical basis,its relationship with disease occurrence,and giving a future perspective of key problems to focus on.