Figure 1. Partitioning of monomers and aggregates via liquid-like compartments.

Protein aggregation may occur homogeneously inside cells also leading to aggregates inside more sensitive cellular regions (left). A liquid compartment may accumulate monomers and thereby trigger the local formation of aggregates (right). The hardly diffusing aggregates are thus kept away from a more sensible cellular region. Such a spatial segregation of aggregates is ideal for adding functional, drug-like molecules which dominantly dissolve inside the compartment. These molecules may degrade the aggregates or inhibit further growth and nucleation. But most importantly, as these molecules are localized inside the compartment their toxic effects are diminished.