Structure and function of granular polyphosphate organelle in biological cells

Abstract:

Polyphosphate (poly P) is a polymer of tens to hundreds of phosphate residues, which is found in various biological cells in granular, colloidal, and dissolved forms. It has been verified that poly P can be an energy source and regulate intracellular osmotic pressure to maintain the stability of membrane. In addition, it binds to protein and DNA to stabilize them and protects cells from stress injury. Granular poly P organelle stores poly P granules, metal cations, proteins, amino acids, and water in cells. The poly P granules in the parasite are called acidocalcisomes and those in bacteria or other microorganisms are named metachromatic granules. Further research shows that they have similar structures and thus they are both called granular poly P organelles. Crucially, this organelle is thought to be the only one preserved from prokaryotes to humans and may even be last universal common ancestor (LUCA). It is crucial for the origin of life, anti-stress, biological interaction, and metabolism regulation. It is meaningful to develop this organelle in pharmaceutical research and biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus.