Nanomaterial signatures program biomolecular condensates via triphasic separation for chemoplasticity remodeling
Membraneless organelles form by phase separation and regulate cell behavior. We show that cholesterol-patterned AuNPs program nanomaterial-induced stress granules (NSGs) by lowering G3BP1 condensation barriers through a solid-liquid-liquid triphasic sequence: nanomaterials recruit hnRNPC, which then engages G3BP1 to nucleate gel-like condensates. We map NSG microenvironments (temperature, polarity, pH, and proteasome activity), uncover dual disassembly-a slow VCP/19S-dependent route and a rapid SUMO/20S-dependent backup-and show that NSGs remodel chemo-plasticity: they mitigate doxorubicin/cisplatin toxicity in normal tissues yet sensitize tumors to nocodazole in vivo. Local induction and selective dissolution of NSGs thus offers a strategy to decouple efficacy from toxicity. Our results establish design rules linking nanomaterial surface chemistry to condensate programming and provide actionable levers to steer therapeutic outcomes.
Authors
- Zengshuai Yan
- Yu‐qiang Ma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5433-3199)
- Liuting Zheng
- Hong‐Ming Ding (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9224-4779)
- Xiaoqi Tan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5339-3245)
- Yuxing Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2028-603X)
- Jin Chang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7184-3257)
- Da Huo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6530-0632)
- Xinyue Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2630-899X)
- Qin Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9839-8480)
Institutions
- China Pharmaceutical University (CN)
- Soochow University (CN)
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital (CN)
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures (CN)
- Nanjing Medical University (CN)
- Nanjing University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-10-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64623-4
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- RNA Research and Splicing
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.81