Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.10.245530v1?rss=1 Authors: Mioka, T., Tian, G., Shiyao, W., Tsuji, T., Fujimoto, T., Kishimoto, T., Tanaka, K. Abstract: Membrane phase separation accompanied with micron-scale domains of lipids and proteins occurs in artificial membranes; however, a similar large phase separation has not been reported in the plasma membrane of the living cells. We demonstrate here that a stable micron-scale protein-free region is generated in the plasma membrane of the yeast mutants lacking phosphatidylserine. We named this region the ''void zone''. Transmembrane proteins, peripheral membrane proteins, and certain phospholipids are excluded from the void zone. The void zone is rich in ergosterol and requires ergosterol and sphingolipids for its formation. These characteristics of the void zone are similar to the properties of the liquid-ordered domain caused by phase separation. We propose that phosphatidylserine prevents the formation of the void zone by preferentially interacting with ergosterol. We also found that void zones were frequently in contact with vacuoles, in which a membrane domain was also formed at the contact site. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info