Original story from Scripps Research (CA, USA). ‘Tiny biological batteries’ can change the cell membrane’s electrical properties – a discovery that has big implications for health, as many essential cellular processes hinge upon precise electrical activity. Many biological processes are regulated by electricity – from nerve impulses to heartbeats to the movement of molecules in and out of cells. A new study by Scripps Research (CA, USA) scientists reveals a previously unknown potential regulator of this bioelectricity: droplet-like structures called condensates. Condensates are better known for their role in compartmentalizing the cell, but this study shows they can also act as tiny biological batteries that charge the cell membrane from within. The team showed that when electrically charged condensates collide with cell membranes, they change the cell membrane’s voltage, which influences the amount of electrical charge flowing across the membrane, at the point of contact. The discovery highlights a new fundamental feature about how our cells work and could one day help scientists treat certain diseases. “This represents an entirely new paradigm in bioelectricity that has substantial implications for electrical regulation in biology and health,” shared Ashok Deniz, senior author of the new paper and professor at Scripps Research. Condensates are organelles – structures within cells that carry out specific functions – but unlike more well-known organelles such as the nucleus and mitochondria, they are not enclosed within membranes. Instead, condensates are held together by a combination of molecular and electrical forces. They also occur outside of cells, such as at…
