Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
201,642 studies31 sourcesUpdated 17 min ago
PreprintCC BY-NCbioRxiv

e^-2 Threshold for Bistability in Non-equilibrium Sorting of Biomolecular Condensates

  • W. Chen
  • S. Pei
  • G. Yu1
  1. 1Sichuan Agricultural University
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Cells use ATP-driven chaperones to extract clients from biomolecular condensates selectively, yet no closed-form criterion links molecular parameters to condensate quality control. We derive a minimal non-equilibrium sorting reactor model that reduces the reaction-diffusion dynamics to one algebraic equation. In the idealized low-load limit, a concentration-dependent partition coefficient produces a saddle-node bifurcation between functional clearance and pathological storage. The critical Damk\"ohler number is Da0c=e−2 and is independent of the feedback strength. Corrections shift the value but preserve the topology. The model predicts a Kramers-type functional lifetime and recovery costs that scale as R3. Critical slowing down near the bifurcation provides early-warning signatures for FCS and FRAP.

Related

  1. Long-range transport of biomolecular condensates by Marangoni effect
    Q. Guan, X. Ma, X. Guan +3
    bioRxivPreprintAll rights reservedFull textBiophysicsbioRxiv
  2. Disulfide Crosslink Density is a Key Determinant in the Formation, Dynamics, and Maturation of Cysteine-rich Designer Biomolecular Condensates.
    M. Mondal, W. S. Swetman, C. T. Allen +3
    bioRxivPreprintAll rights reservedFull textBiophysicsbioRxiv
  3. Mesoscale Heterogeneity Shapes Molecular Selectivity and Transport in Biomolecular Condensates
    V. Grigorev, Y. Zhang
    bioRxivPreprintCC BY-NC-NDFull textBiophysicsbioRxiv
  4. Biomolecular condensates can function as inherent catalysts
    Michael W. Chen, Xiao Guo, Mina Farag +14
    Molecular CellPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC39 citedMolecular biology & gene regulationOpenAlex
  5. A unified intermediate-resolution framework for modeling biomolecular condensates at near-cellular complexity
    S. Li, J. Fong Ng, J. Chen
    bioRxivPreprintCC BY-NCFull textBiophysicsbioRxiv

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@misc{chen2026threshold,
  title = {{e^-2 Threshold for Bistability in Non-equilibrium Sorting of Biomolecular Condensates}},
  author = {W. Chen and S. Pei and G. Yu},
  howpublished = {bioRxiv},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.64898/2026.09.28.754880},
  url = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.28.754880v1},
  note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY  - UNPB
TI  - e^-2 Threshold for Bistability in Non-equilibrium Sorting of Biomolecular Condensates
AU  - W. Chen
AU  - S. Pei
AU  - G. Yu
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/28
PB  - bioRxiv
DO  - 10.64898/2026.09.28.754880
UR  - https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.28.754880v1
AB  - Cells use ATP-driven chaperones to extract clients from biomolecular condensates selectively, yet no closed-form criterion links molecular parameters to condensate quality control. We derive a minimal non-equilibrium sorting reactor model that reduces the reaction-diffusion dynamics to one algebraic equation. In the idealized low-load limit, a concentration-dependent partition coefficient produces a saddle-node bifurcation between functional clearance and pathological storage. The critical Damk\"ohler number is Da_0c=e^−2 and is independent of the feedback strength. Corrections shift the value but preserve the topology. The model predicts a Kramers-type functional lifetime and recovery costs that scale as R^3. Critical slowing down near the bifurcation provides early-warning signatures for FCS and FRAP.
ER  -