Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed an atlas of proteins describing how they behave inside human cells. This tool could be used to search for the origins of diseases which are related to proteins misbehaving such as dementia and many cancers. The atlas, which is published in Nature Communications , has allowed the researchers to find new proteins inside cells that are responsible for a range of important bodily functions.
The team focuses on a droplet-like part of the cell called a condensate which is a meeting hub for proteins to go and organise themselves. These hubs are also key sites where disease processes start. The predictions are available with the paper so researchers around the globe can explore their protein targets of interest and any surrounding condensate systems.
"This model has allowed us to discover new components in membraneless compartments in biology as well as discover new principles underlying their function." said Professor Tuomas Knowles, who led this research. Cells are made of carefully organized molecules and one method they use to organize themselves is by meeting inside a condensate.
This hub is microscopic and found inside a cell. These condensates are part of the essential machinery that makes living cells work. To date we have not had a comprehensive map of which proteins go together into which condensates, but in our work we provide a first such atlas.
" Professor Tuomas Knowles The rules directing proteins inside cells are.
