Synthesis of Butterfly-Like Shaped Gold Nanomaterial: For the Regulation of Liquid-Liquid Phase-Separated Biomacromolecule Droplets.

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a critical tool to manipulate the sophisticated behavior of biological structures and has provided new research fields. Liquid-liquid phase-separated (LLPS) droplets gather attention asbasic reaction fields in a living cell. Droplets playcritical roles in regulating protein behavior, including enzyme compartmentalization, stress response, and disease pathogenesis.The dynamic manipulationof LLPS droplet formation/deformation has become a crucial target in nanobiotechnology. However, the development of nanodevices specifically designed for this purpose remains a challenge. Therefore, this study presents butterfly-shaped gold nanobutterflies (GNBs) as novel nanodevices for manipulating LLPS droplet dynamics. The growth process of the GNBs is analyzed via time-lapse electroscopic imaging, time-lapsespectroscopy, and additives assays.Interestingly, GNBs demonstrate the ability to induce LLPS droplet formation in systems such as adenosine triphosphate/poly-l-lysine and human immunoglobulin G, whereas spherical and rod-shaped gold nanoparticles exhibit no such capability. This indicates that the GNB concave surface interacts with the droplet precursors facilitating the LLPS droplet formation.Near-infrared-laser irradiation applied to GNBs enableson-demand deformation of the droplets through localized heat effects. GNBregulates theenzymatic reaction of lysozymes.The innovative design ofGNBs presents a promising strategy for manipulating LLPS dynamics and offers exciting prospects for future research.