Size-controlled assembly of phase separated protein condensates with interfacial protein cages

The Paper of the Day article describes a method for assembling stable protein condensates using interfacial protein cages. The researchers used various protein cages with different sizes and oligomeric states to stabilize protein condensates formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). They found that the size and binding strength of the protein cages are crucial for effectively stabilizing the condensates without causing excessive cage penetration. The researchers were able to control the size of the condensates by tuning the ratio of condensate proteins to cage proteins. They also demonstrated that the cage-stabilized condensates can selectively recruit and encapsulate client biomolecules like DNA and antibodies. Additionally, the researchers used cryo-electron tomography to visualize the structural features of the cage-stabilized condensates, showing that the cages form a monolayer on the condensate surface.