(129g) Exploring the Contrast in Adhesion and Phase Separation in Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

A key feature in many biological processes is the compartmentalization of biomolecules. 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 self-associate to form a distinct phase which can act as membrane-less organelles. Certain proteins also have the ability to stick to surfaces. Intermolecular attractions are the driving force behind these properties, but 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 at an atomic level. Using MD simulations, we can examine the proteins' behavior in varying conditions as well as apply mutations to tune their behavior. By doing so, our goal is to better understand the mechanisms behind phase separation and adhesion.