Molecular assembly lines regulate the size of active droplets

Large protein complexes are assembled from protein subunits to form a specific structure. In our previous work, we used theory to propose that assembly into the correct structure could be reliably achieved through an assembly line with a specific sequence of assembly steps. We illustrated that the assembly line can be self-organized through utilizing existing membraneless organelles. In this way, the droplet directly regulates the formation of the assembly line.



In this work we explore how the assembly line can directly regulate the droplet. It has been observed that the core element can act as an important structural factor for the droplet formation. By introducing this feature into the model, we see that the assembly line also regulates the size of the droplet in a productive way.