Phase separation organizes signaling

Abstract

Signal Transduction In T cell receptors, signaling molecules reorganize into tiny phase-separated droplets—like oil in water. Su et al. used an in vitro system with artificial membranes and 12 components of the T cell receptor signaling system to closely monitor the role of these molecular clusters (see the Perspective by Dustin and Muller). The clusters formed through phosphorylation-dependent association of the linker protein LAT (linker for activation of T cells) with other proteins. These clusters also managed to exclude an inactivating phosphatase and increased the specific activity of enzymes controlling actin polymerization. Science , this issue p. [595][1]; see also p. [516][2] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aad9964 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aaf8179