Fig. 3: DNA- and RNA-triggered switchable coacervates and RNA-regulated transient coacervates.

a and b Illustration and CLSM images of DNA-triggered switchable coacervate systems. 2.25 µM (1.5 eq.) of DNA invader was introduced to the coacervates formed from 0.06 µM A₁₅₀₀ and 1.5 µM (1.0 eq.) of B_8-1, resulting in the disassembly of the coacervates. Subsequently, the addition of 3 µM (2.0 eq.) of DNA anti-invader caused the reformation of coacervates. c and d Illustration and CLSM images of RNA-triggered switching between coacervate and solution states. 4.5 µM (3 eq.) of RNA invader was introduced to the coacervates formed from 0.06 µM A₁₅₀₀ and 1.5 µM (1.0 eq.) of B_8-1, resulting in the disassembly of the coacervates. Subsequently, the addition of 0.1 U µL⁻¹ of RNase H triggered the assembly of coacervates. e and f Illustration and CLSM images of RNA-triggered switchable coacervate of solution-to-coacervate-to-solution. 15 µM (10 eq.) of RNA anti-invader was introduced into the complex comprising 0.06 µM A₁₅₀₀, 1.5 µM B_8-1, and 2.25 µM DNA invader, leading to the assembly of the coacervates. Subsequently, the addition of 0.1 U µL⁻¹ of RNase H caused the coacervates to disassemble into a homogeneous solution. A few tiny objects in the initial state may be due to the incomplete dissolution of the dye-bearing strand adsorbed in the microscopy chamber. g–k RNA-regulated transient coacervate disassembly with the introduction of RNA invader and RNase H: g Schematic illustration. h Time-dependent plot of the transient coacervates with tunable reassembly times by varying the concentration of RNA invaders. The green line indicates starting from a similar population of coacervates. Error bars are the standard deviation of ca. 20 droplet counts. i Controlled reassembly times via the concentration ratios of RNA invader/binder. Error bars correspond to standard deviations from duplicates. j Controlled reassembly times via the RNase H concentrations. Error bars correspond to standard deviations from duplicates. k Time-dependent CLSM images of transient coacervates with 15 µM (10 eq.) RNA invader and 0.1 U µL⁻¹ RNase H. l and m RNA-regulated transient coacervate assembly with the introduction of RNA anti-invader and RNase H: l Schematic illustration. m Time-dependent CLSM images of transient coacervates with 45 µM (30 eq.) RNA anti-invader and 0.1 U µL⁻¹ RNase H. The experiments were conducted at 37 °C with gentle rotation at 80 rpm. Scale bars: 10 μm.