Macromolecular condensation is unlikely to buffer intracellular osmolality

Alan R. Kay; Zahra Aminzare

doi:10.63204/15102.4

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Macromolecular condensation is unlikely to buffer intracellular osmolality

Journal article

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Macromolecular condensation is unlikely to buffer intracellular osmolality

Alan R. Kay and Zahra Aminzare

Biophysics Colab, Vol.1, 15102

08/04/2025

DOI: 10.63204/15102.4

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Abstract

The flux of water across biological membrane is determined by gradients in transmembrane osmolality and the water permeability of membranes. Watson et al. (2023) have proposed that the reversible formation and disassembly of molecular condensates could act as the primary buffer of cytoplasmic osmolality in the face of changes in extracellular osmolality. In this communication, we show using well-established membrane biophysics, that the water permeability of plasma membranes is likely to overwhelm any cytoplasmic water buffers.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Macromolecular condensation is unlikely to buffer intracellular osmolality
Creators: Alan R. Kay - University of Iowa
Zahra Aminzare - University of Iowa, Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Biophysics Colab, Vol.1, 15102
DOI: 10.63204/15102.4
Language: English
Date published: 08/04/2025
Academic Unit: Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Biology; Mathematics
Record Identifier: 9984927216702771

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