Droplet Differentiation by a Chemical Switch

Abstract

A fundamental question about biomolecular condensates is how distinct condensates can emerge from the interplay of different components. Here we present a minimal model of droplet differentiation where phase separated droplets demix into two types with different chemical modifications triggered by enzymatic reactions. We use numerical solutions to Cahn-Hilliard equations with chemical reactions and an effective droplet model to reveal the switchlike behavior. Our work shows how condensate identities in cells could result from competing enzymatic actions.