Biomolecular condensates compartmentalize and regulate assemblies of biomolecules engaged in vital physiological processes in cells. Specific proteins and nucleic acids engaged in shared functions occur in any one kind of condensate, suggesting that these compartments have distinct chemical specificities. Indeed, some small-molecule drugs concentrate in specific condensates due to chemical properties engendered by particular amino acids in the proteins in those condensates. Here we argue that the chemical properties that govern molecular interactions between a small molecule and biomolecules within a condensate can be ascertained for both the small molecule and the biomolecules. We propose that learning this ‘chemical grammar’, the rules describing the chemical features of small molecules that engender attraction or repulsion by the physicochemical environment of a specific condensate, should enable design of drugs with improved efficacy and reduced toxicity.

生物分子凝聚物分隔和调节参与细胞重要生理过程的生物分子的组装。参与共享功能的特定蛋白质和核酸出现在任何一种冷凝物中，表明这些隔室具有不同的化学特异性。事实上，一些小分子药物集中在特定的冷凝物中，这是由于这些冷凝物中蛋白质中的特定氨基酸产生的化学性质。在这里，我们认为可以确定小分子和生物分子在凝聚物中控制小分子和生物分子之间分子相互作用的化学性质。我们建议学习这种“化学语法”，