Prebiotically-relevant low polyion multivalency can improve functionality of membraneless compartments

Abstract

Short cationic peptides and nucleotides can form complex coacervates, but the influence of reduced multivalency on coacervate functionality was not investigated. Here, the authors report that coacervates formed from short polyions generate distinct pH microenvironments, accumulate RNA and preserve nucleic acid duplexes more efficiently than their longer counterparts.