Physiological implications of phase separation in vesicle organization and trafficking

Phase separation has emerged as a key mechanism of cellular compartmentalization, complementing classical membrane-bound organelles. In addition to forming membraneless compartments that provide confined environments for biochemical reactions, phase separation actively organizes and regulates membrane vesicles. Protein condensates interact with vesicular organelles through defined modes of communication, influencing their assembly, trafficking, and turnover. This review highlights recent advances in understanding how phase separation contributes to vesicle biology, including synaptic vesicle cycling, COPII-mediated transport, and endocytic vesicle organization, processes essential for maintaining physiological homeostasis and efficient intracellular transport.