A diffusiophoretic mechanism for ATP-driven transport without motor proteins

Abstract The healthy growth and maintenance of a biological system depends on the precise spatial organization molecules within cell through dissipation energy. Reaction–diffusion mechanisms can facilitate this organization, as directional cargo transport orchestrated by motor proteins, relying specific protein interactions. However, material also be achieved active processes based non-specific, purely physical mechanisms, phenomenon that remains poorly explored. Here, using combined experimental theoretical approach, we discover describe hidden function Escherichia coli MinDE system: in addition to forming dynamic patterns, accomplishes functionally unrelated membranes. Remarkably, mechanism enables sorting diffusive objects according their effective size, evidenced modular DNA origami–streptavidin nanostructures. We show fluxes non-specific couple via density-dependent friction. This process constitutes diffusiophoretic mechanism, yet unknown biology setting. nonlinear coupling between could represent generic for establishing intracellular organization.