the functions of “biomolecular condensate”

By the 2010s, with advancements in microscopy, scientists finally confirmed that the nucleolus is a “biomolecular condensate” formed by the aggregation of RNA and RNA-binding proteins through weak interactions. More than 30 such structures have now been identified within cells, and their functions can be broadly categorized into four types:

Assembling ribosomes to synthesize other cellular components;

Sensing changes in the external environment and promptly initiating cellular response mechanisms. For example, when radiation causes DNA breaks, condensates can first repair them to maintain genetic stability;

Participating in the regulation of gene expression, determining whether specific genes are expressed;

Serving as catalytic platforms for biochemical reactions, accelerating specific synthesis processes.