Ligand Effects

Changing the concentrations of ligands—non-scaffold molecules that bind to particular sites on scaffolds—can control the phase transitions of scaffolds. The valence of ligands, whether or not they bind to spacers or stickers directly, and the relative affinities of ligand-scaffold versus scaffold-scaffold interactions all affect how modulatory an effect they have. The concentration of scaffolds in condensates is generally diluted by all ligands. Multivalent ligands have the ability to stabilise or destabilise condensates by directly binding to spacers or stickers, as opposed to monovalent ligands, which destabilise condensates. Even when they have no impact on condensate stability, bipartite ligands that bind to spacers and stickers can change the way scaffold molecules are arranged within condensates.