Search

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNPK) is an RNA-binding protein containing low-complexity domains (LCDs), which are known to regulate protein behavior under stress conditions. This study demonstrates the ability to control hnRNPK's transitions into four distinct material states—monomer, soluble aggregate, liquid droplet, and fibrillar hydrogel—by modulating environmental factors such as temperature and protein concentration. Importantly, the phase-separated and hydrogel states are newly identified for eGFP-hnRNPK, marking a significant advancement in understanding its material properties. A combination of biophysical techniques, including DLS and SEC-LS, were used to further characterize hnRNPK in monomeric and soluble aggregate states. Structural methods, such as SANS, SAXS, and TEM, revealed the elongated morphology of the hnRNPK monomer. Environmental perturbations, such as decreased temperature or crowding agents, drove hnRNPK into phase-separated or gel-like states, each with distinct biophysical characteristics. These novel states were further analyzed using SEM, X-ray diffraction, and fluorescence microscopy. Collectively, these results demonstrate the complex behaviors of hnRNPK under different conditions and illustrate the properties of the protein in each material state. Transitions of hnRNPK upon condition changes could potentially affect functions of hnRNPK, playing a significant role in regulation of hnRNPK-involved processes in the cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Faraday Discussions article delves into the conductivity of conductive polymers, particularly polymerized ionic liquids, compared to classical polymers. It discusses conduction mechanisms, proton transport in polymer electrolyte membranes, and the impact of additives on ionic conductivity. The importance of structural characterization and dielectric spectroscopy in understanding charge transport mechanisms is emphasized, along with the need for further research on proton conductivity for industrial applications. The text also explores the definition of dense ionic fluid (DIF) and the criteria for its classification, as well as the comparison between interfacial nanostructure diffusion and bulk ion diffusion. [Extracted from the article]

The Faraday Discussions article delves into the intricate dynamics of ionic fluids under non-equilibrium conditions, particularly in the realm of electrodeposition and dissolution. Researchers explore topics such as Li ion coordination, innovative electrolyte design, and the impact of ultrasound on electrode performance. The study also delves into the complexities of ion clusters in ionic liquids' electrical double layer and the challenges of predicting properties of different salts. Considerations for sustainability and economics in battery manufacture, including the use of non-fluorinated salts, are also discussed. [Extracted from the article]

The Faraday Discussions article delves into the equilibrium behavior of ionic fluids, covering topics such as thermodynamics, nanostructure, phase behavior, and activity. Researchers engage in a discussion on phase separation, ion size differences, and temperature effects, exploring the impact of ion pairing, solvation properties, and polymer conformation on the phase separation of salt solutions. The study aims to understand the driving forces behind liquid-liquid phase separation and its practical applications in electrochemical devices and batteries, emphasizing the need for diverse datasets and molecular structure correlations to enhance predictive models for deep eutectic solvents. [Extracted from the article]

The document delves into the properties of dense ionic fluids, particularly the viscoelastic characteristics influenced by charge-charge correlations. Researchers shared their findings on topics like charge alternation peaks relaxation and micelle behavior in deep eutectic solvents. Interactions between hydrogenated and fluorinated moieties in ionic liquid mixtures were examined, revealing no phase separation. Additionally, the use of machine learning potentials in molecular dynamics simulations to study transport coefficients in complex charged solutions was explored, with discussions on the choice of potentials, treatment of long-range Coulomb interactions, and the accuracy of DFT calculations. The study focuses on a specific ionic liquid but hints at future exploration of more complex systems. [Extracted from the article]

It is a formidable challenge, and a distinct privilege, to provide the concluding remarks for this Faraday Discussion on Dense Ionic Fluids (DIFs). What follows is an inherently subjective distillation of the insights that have shaped our understanding of these complex systems over the last few days, with the goal of capturing the essence of the Discussion and providing suggestions for future investigations in this rapidly evolving field. DIFs are a fascinating class of electrolyte systems characterized by high ion concentrations in correlated domains. The multiscale nature of DIFs, and the challenges in connecting nanoscale phenomena to bulk properties, are discussed in the context of contemporary experimental and computational methods. Next, emerging trends are explored, and then the paper concludes by identifying promising future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]