(316h) Examining the Differences in Phase Separation and Adhesion in Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

The compartmentalization of biomolecules is a key feature of many biological processes. The resulting organelles are generally formed through lipid membranes, but can also form in the absence of these membranes. In particular, intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), proteins that do not fold into a fixed structure, are frequently found to form phase separated compartments. Another unique property of certain proteins is their tendency to stick to surfaces. Though both are driven by intermolecular attraction, there exist proteins that exhibit adhesive behavior, but do not phase separate. We utilize molecular dynamics simulations to study what specific inter and intramolecular interactions can cause these properties to exist independently. Through simulations, we can examine the interactions between each residue on an atomic scale. By doing so, we aim to better understand the driving forces behind phase separation and adhesion.