Phase Transitions in Chemically Fueled, Multiphase Complex Coacervate Droplets

Membraneless organelles are droplets in the cytosol that regulated by chemical reactions. Increasing studies suggest they internally organized. However, how these subcompartments remains elusive. Herein, we describe a complex coacervate-based model composed of two polyanions and short peptide. With reaction cycle, control affinity peptide for polyelectrolytes leading to distinct regimes inside phase diagram. We study transitions from one regime another identify new can only occur under kinetic control. Finally, show cycle controls liquidity offering insights into active processes cells play an important role tuning liquid state membraneless organelles. Our work demonstrates not thermodynamic properties but also kinetics should be considered organization multiple phases droplets.