1
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Søgaard AB, Løvschall KB, Montasell MC, Cramer CB, Marcet PM, Pedersen AB, Jakobsen JH, Zelikin AN. Artificial Receptor in Synthetic Cells Performs Transmembrane Activation of Proteolysis. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024:e2400053. [PMID: 38767247 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202400053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The design of artificial, synthetic cells is a fundamentally important and fast-developing field of science. Of the diverse attributes of cellular life, artificial transmembrane signaling across the biomolecular barriers remains a high challenge with only a few documented successes. Herein, the study achieves signaling across lipid bilayers and connects an exofacial enzymatic receptor activation to an intracellular biochemical catalytic response using an artificial receptor. The mechanism of signal transduction for the artificial receptor relies on the triggered decomposition of a self-immolative linker. Receptor activation ensues its head-to-tail decomposition and the release of a secondary messenger molecule into the internal volume of the synthetic cell. Transmembrane signaling is demonstrated in synthetic cells based on liposomes and mammalian cell-sized giant unilamellar vesicles and illustrates receptor performance in cell mimics with a diverse size and composition of the lipid bilayer. In giant unilamellar vesicles, transmembrane signaling connects exofacial receptor activation with intracellular activation of proteolysis. Taken together, the results of this study take a step toward engineering receptor-mediated, responsive behavior in synthetic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alexander N Zelikin
- iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
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2
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Pang S, Liu J, Li T, Ye K, Yan Z, Zhao L, Bao C. Folding and Unfolding of a Fully Synthetic Transmembrane Receptor for ON/OFF Signal Transduction. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:20761-20766. [PMID: 37699413 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Signal transduction processes in living organisms are mainly transmitted through conformational changes in transmembrane protein receptors. So far, the development of signal transduction models induced by artificial simulation of conformational changes remains limited. We herein report a new artificial receptor that achieves controllable "ON/OFF" signal transduction through conformational changes between the folding and unfolding of a transmembrane foldamer moiety. The receptor contains three functional modules: a lipid-anchored cholic acid headgroup, a foldamer transmembrane moiety, and a precatalyst tailgroup. After inserting in the lipid membrane, the addition of Zn2+ induces unfolding of the foldamer, which changes the molecular conformation and activates the tailgroup to enter the cavity to perform its catalytic task, resulting in signal transduction in an "ON" state. By further adding a competitive ligand to bind Zn2+, the transduction can be turned "OFF". External signals can be used to reversibly switch intravesicular catalysis on and off, which provides a new model for constructing artificial signal transduction systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Pang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jiawei Liu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Tianlong Li
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Kai Ye
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zexin Yan
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Li Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Chunyan Bao
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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3
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Søgaard AB, Pedersen AB, Løvschall KB, Monge P, Jakobsen JH, Džabbarova L, Nielsen LF, Stevanovic S, Walther R, Zelikin AN. Transmembrane signaling by a synthetic receptor in artificial cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1646. [PMID: 36964156 PMCID: PMC10039019 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37393-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Signal transduction across biological membranes is among the most important evolutionary achievements. Herein, for the design of artificial cells, we engineer fully synthetic receptors with the capacity of transmembrane signaling, using tools of chemistry. Our receptors exhibit similarity with their natural counterparts in having an exofacial ligand for signal capture, being membrane anchored, and featuring a releasable messenger molecule that performs enzyme activation as a downstream signaling event. The main difference from natural receptors is the mechanism of signal transduction, which is achieved using a self-immolative linker. The receptor scaffold is modular and can readily be re-designed to respond to diverse activation signals including biological or chemical stimuli. We demonstrate an artificial signaling cascade that achieves transmembrane enzyme activation, a hallmark of natural signaling receptors. Results of this work are relevant for engineering responsive artificial cells and interfacing them and/or biological counterparts in co-cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ane Bretschneider Søgaard
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | | | - Pere Monge
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Raoul Walther
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Alexander N Zelikin
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
- iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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4
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Li H, Yan Y, Chen J, Shi K, Song C, Ji Y, Jia L, Li J, Qiao Y, Lin Y. Artificial receptor-mediated phototransduction toward protocellular subcompartmentalization and signaling-encoded logic gates. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade5853. [PMID: 36857444 PMCID: PMC9977178 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade5853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Engineering artificial cellular systems capable of perceiving and transmitting external signals across membranes to activate downstream targets and coordinate protocellular responses is key to build cell-cell communications and protolife. Here, we report a synthetic photoreceptor-mediated signaling pathway with the integration of light harvesting, photo-to-chemical energy conversion, signal transmission, and amplification in synthetic cells, which ultimately resulted in protocell subcompartmentalization. Key to our design is a ruthenium-bipyridine complex that acts as a membrane-anchored photoreceptor to convert visible light into chemical information and transduce signals across the lipid membrane via flip-flop motion. By coupling receptor-mediated phototransduction with biological recognition and enzymatic cascade reactions, we further develop protocell signaling-encoded Boolean logic gates. Our results illustrate a minimal cell model to mimic the photoreceptor cells that can transduce the energy of light into intracellular responses and pave the way to modular control over the flow of information for complex metabolic and signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yue Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ke Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Chuwen Song
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yanglimin Ji
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liyan Jia
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianming Li
- Research Center of New Energy, Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development (RIPED), PetroChina, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yan Qiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yiyang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
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5
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Hou J, Jiang X, Yang F, Wang L, Yan T, Liu S, Xu J, Hou C, Luo Q, Liu J. Supramolecularly regulated artificial transmembrane signal transduction for 'ON/OFF'-switchable enzyme catalysis. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:5725-5728. [PMID: 35441622 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc01421a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
An artificial signal transduction model with a supramolecular recognition headgroup, a membrane anchoring group, and a pro-enzyme catalysis endgroup was constructed. The transmembrane translocation of the transducer can be reversibly regulated by competitive host-guest complexations as an input signal to control an enzyme reaction inside the lipid vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxing Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Xiaojia Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Feihu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Tengfei Yan
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Shengda Liu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Jiayun Xu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Chunxi Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Quan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China. .,Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.,Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma, Ministry of Education, College of Emergency and Trauma, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Junqiu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China. .,College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
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6
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Yang H, Du S, Ye Z, Wang X, Yan Z, Lian C, Bao C, Zhu L. A system for artificial light signal transduction via molecular translocation in a lipid membrane. Chem Sci 2022; 13:2487-2494. [PMID: 35310493 PMCID: PMC8864706 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc06671d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Light signal transduction pathways are central components of the mechanisms that regulate plant development, in which photoreceptors receive light and participate in light signal transduction. Chemical systems can be designed...
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiting Yang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Shengjie Du
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Zhicheng Ye
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Xuebin Wang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Zexin Yan
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Cheng Lian
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Chunyan Bao
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Linyong Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
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7
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Kocsis I, Ding Y, Williams NH, Hunter CA. Transmembrane signal transduction by cofactor transport. Chem Sci 2021; 12:12377-12382. [PMID: 34603667 PMCID: PMC8480319 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03910e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Information processing and cell signalling in biological systems relies on passing chemical signals across lipid bilayer membranes, but examples of synthetic systems that can achieve this process are rare. A synthetic transducer has been developed that triggers catalytic hydrolysis of an ester substrate inside lipid vesicles in response to addition of metal ions to the external vesicle solution. The output signal generated in the internal compartment of the vesicles is produced by binding of a metal ion cofactor to a head group on the transducer to form a catalytically competent complex. The mechanism of signal transduction is based on transport of the metal ion cofactor across the bilayer by the transducer, and the system can be reversibly switched between on and off states by adding cadmium(ii) and ethylene diamine tetracarboxylic acid input signals respectively. The transducer is also equipped with a hydrazide moiety, which allows modulation of activity through covalent conjugation with aldehydes. Conjugation with a sugar derivative abolished activity, because the resulting hydrazone is too polar to cross the bilayer, whereas conjugation with a pyridine derivative increased activity. Coupling transport with catalysis provides a straightforward mechanism for generating complex systems using simple components. Synthetic transducers transport externally added metal ion cofactors across the lipid bilayer membrane of vesicles to trigger catalysis of ester hydrolysis in the inner compartment. Signal transduction activity is modulated by hydrazone formation.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Istvan Kocsis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Yudi Ding
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | | | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
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8
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Bickerton LE, Johnson TG, Kerckhoffs A, Langton MJ. Supramolecular chemistry in lipid bilayer membranes. Chem Sci 2021; 12:11252-11274. [PMID: 34567493 PMCID: PMC8409493 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03545b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid bilayer membranes form compartments requisite for life. Interfacing supramolecular systems, including receptors, catalysts, signal transducers and ion transporters, enables the function of the membrane to be controlled in artificial and living cellular compartments. In this perspective, we take stock of the current state of the art of this rapidly expanding field, and discuss prospects for the future in both fundamental science and applications in biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Bickerton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Toby G Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Aidan Kerckhoffs
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Matthew J Langton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
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9
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Mori M, Kinbara K. Properties of Imidazolinium-containing Multiblock Amphiphile in Lipid Bilayer Membranes. J PHOTOPOLYM SCI TEC 2021. [DOI: 10.2494/photopolymer.34.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miki Mori
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology
| | - Kazushi Kinbara
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology
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10
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Chen H, Zhou L, Li C, He X, Huang J, Yang X, Shi H, Wang K, Liu J. Controlled dimerization of artificial membrane receptors for transmembrane signal transduction. Chem Sci 2021; 12:8224-8230. [PMID: 34194713 PMCID: PMC8208304 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc00718a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In biology, membrane-spanning proteins are responsible for the transmission of chemical signals across membranes, including the signal recognition-mediated conformational change of transmembrane receptors at the cell surface, and a trigger of an intracellular phosphorylation cascade. The ability to reproduce such biological processes in artificial systems has potential applications in smart sensing, drug delivery, and synthetic biology. Here, an artificial transmembrane receptors signaling system was designed and constructed based on modular DNA scaffolds. The artificial transmembrane receptors in this system are composed of three functional modules: signal recognition, lipophilic transmembrane linker, and signal output modules. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) served as an external signal input to trigger the dimerization of two artificial receptors on membranes through a proximity effect. This effect induced the formation of a G-quadruplex, which served as a peroxidase-like enzyme to facilitate a signal output measured by either fluorescence or absorbance in the lipid bilayer vesicles. The broader utility of this modular method was further demonstrated using a lysozyme-binding aptamer instead of an ATP-binding aptamer. Therefore, this work provides a modular and generalizable method for the design of artificial transmembrane receptors. The flexibility of this synthetic methodology will allow researchers to incorporate different functional modules while retaining the same molecular framework for signal transduction. An artificial transmbrane signal transducer was developed through the chemical input-mediated dimerization of artificial DNA transmembrane receptors and the subsequent activation of a cascade of events inside the vesicles.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Chunying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao He
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Jin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Xiaohai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Hui Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Kemin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Jianbo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
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11
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Shimizu Y, Sato K, Kinbara K. Calcium-induced reversible assembly of phosphorylated amphiphile within lipid bilayer membranes. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:4106-4109. [PMID: 33908497 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc01111a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Inspired by calcium-induced reversible assembly and disassembly of membrane proteins found in nature, here we developed a phosphorylated amphiphile (PA) that contains an oligo(phenylene-ethynylene) unit as a hydrophobic unit and a phosphate ester group as a hydrophilic calcium-binding unit. We demonstrated that PA can assemble and disassemble in a reversible manner in response to the sequential addition of calcium chloride and ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid within the lipid bilayer membranes for the first time as a synthetic molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Shimizu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
| | - Kohei Sato
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
| | - Kazushi Kinbara
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan. and World Research Hub Initiative, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
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12
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Gonzales DT, Zechner C, Tang TYD. Building synthetic multicellular systems using bottom–up approaches. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2020.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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13
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Engineering of stimuli-responsive lipid-bilayer membranes using supramolecular systems. Nat Rev Chem 2020; 5:46-61. [PMID: 37118103 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-020-00233-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The membrane proteins found in nature control many important cellular functions, including signal transduction and transmembrane ion transport, and these, in turn, are regulated by external stimuli, such as small molecules, membrane potential and light. Membrane proteins also find technological applications in fields ranging from optogenetics to synthetic biology. Synthetic supramolecular analogues have emerged as a complementary method to engineer functional membranes. This Review describes stimuli-responsive supramolecular systems developed for the control of ion transport, signal transduction and catalysis in lipid-bilayer-membrane systems. Recent advances towards achieving spatio-temporal control over activity in artificial and living cells are highlighted. Current challenges, the scope, limitations and future potential to exploit supramolecular systems for engineering stimuli-responsive lipid-bilayer membranes are discussed.
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14
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Abstract
Communication between and inside cells as well as their response to external stimuli relies on elaborated systems of signal transduction. They all require a directional transmission across membranes, often realized by primary messenger docking onto external receptor units and subsequent internalization of the signal in form of a released second messenger. This in turn starts a cascade of events which ultimately control all functions of the living cell. Although signal transduction is a fundamental biological process realized by supramolecular recognition and multiplication events with small molecules, chemists have just begun to invent artificial models which allow to study the underlying rules, and one day perhaps to rescue damaged transduction systems in nature. This review summarizes the exciting pioneering efforts of chemists to create simple models for the basic principles of signal transduction across a membrane. It starts with first attempts to establish molecular recognition events on liposomes with embedded receptor amphiphiles and moves on to simple transmembrane signaling across lipid bilayers. More elaborated systems step by step incorporate more elements of cell signaling, such as primary and secondary messenger or a useful cellular response such as cargo release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Bekus
- University of Duisburg-Essen Faculty of Chemistry Universitätsstr. 7 45117 Essen Germany
| | - Thomas Schrader
- University of Duisburg-Essen Faculty of Chemistry Universitätsstr. 7 45117 Essen Germany
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15
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Abstract
The combination of supramolecular functional systems with biomolecular chemistry has been a fruitful exercise for decades, leading to a greater understanding of biomolecules and to a great variety of applications, for example, in drug delivery and sensing. Within these developments, the phospholipid bilayer membrane, surrounding live cells, with all its functions has also intrigued supramolecular chemists. Herein, recent efforts from the supramolecular chemistry community to mimic natural functions of lipid membranes, such as sensing, molecular recognition, membrane fusion, signal transduction, and gated transport, are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Barba-Bon
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
| | - Mohamed Nilam
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
| | - Andreas Hennig
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
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Ding Y, Williams NH, Hunter CA. A Synthetic Vesicle-to-Vesicle Communication System. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:17847-17853. [PMID: 31642667 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b09102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A molecular signal displayed on the external surface of one population of vesicles was used to trigger a catalytic process on the inside of a second population of vesicles. The key recognition event is the transfer of a protein (NeutrAvidin) bound to vesicles displaying desthiobiotin to vesicles displaying biotin. The desthiobiotin-protein complex was used to anchor a synthetic transducer in the outer leaflet of the vesicles, and when the protein was displaced, the transducer translocated across the bilayer to expose a catalytic headgroup to the internal vesicle solution. As a result, an ester substrate encapsulated on the inside of this second population of vesicles was hydrolyzed to give a fluorescence output signal. The protein has four binding sites, which leads to multivalent interactions with membrane-anchored ligands and very high binding affinities. Thus, biotin, which has a dissociation constant 3 orders of magnitude higher than desthiobiotin, did not displace the protein from the membrane-anchored transducer, and membrane-anchored biotin displayed on the surface of a second population of vesicles was required to generate an effective input signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudi Ding
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas H Williams
- Department of Chemistry , University of Sheffield , Sheffield S3 7HF , United Kingdom
| | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
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Vanuytsel S, Carniello J, Wallace MI. Artificial Signal Transduction across Membranes. Chembiochem 2019; 20:2569-2580. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Vanuytsel
- Department of ChemistryKing's College London Britannia House 7 Trinity Street London SE1 1DB UK
- London Centre for Nanotechnology Strand London WC2R 2LS UK
| | - Joanne Carniello
- Department of ChemistryKing's College London Britannia House 7 Trinity Street London SE1 1DB UK
- London Centre for Nanotechnology Strand London WC2R 2LS UK
| | - Mark Ian Wallace
- Department of ChemistryKing's College London Britannia House 7 Trinity Street London SE1 1DB UK
- London Centre for Nanotechnology Strand London WC2R 2LS UK
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18
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Building a synthetic mechanosensitive signaling pathway in compartmentalized artificial cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:16711-16716. [PMID: 31371493 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1903500116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, reconstitution of one of the fundamental methods of cell communication, the signaling pathway, has been unaddressed in the bottom-up construction of artificial cells (ACs). Such developments are needed to increase the functionality and biomimicry of ACs, accelerating their translation and application in biotechnology. Here, we report the construction of a de novo synthetic signaling pathway in microscale nested vesicles. Vesicle-cell models respond to external calcium signals through activation of an intracellular interaction between phospholipase A2 and a mechanosensitive channel present in the internal membranes, triggering content mixing between compartments and controlling cell fluorescence. Emulsion-based approaches to AC construction are therefore shown to be ideal for the quick design and testing of new signaling networks and can readily include synthetic molecules difficult to introduce to biological cells. This work represents a foundation for the engineering of multicompartment-spanning designer pathways that can be utilized to control downstream events inside an AC, leading to the assembly of micromachines capable of sensing and responding to changes in their local environment.
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Langton MJ, Scriven LM, Williams NH, Hunter CA. Triggered Release from Lipid Bilayer Vesicles by an Artificial Transmembrane Signal Transduction System. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:15768-15773. [PMID: 28876061 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b07747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The on-demand delivery of drug molecules from nanoscale carriers with spatiotemporal control is a key challenge in modern medicine. Here we show that lipid bilayer vesicles (liposomes) can be triggered to release an encapsulated molecular cargo in response to an external control signal by employing an artificial transmembrane signal transduction mechanism. A synthetic signal transducer embedded in the lipid bilayer membrane acts as a switchable catalyst, catalyzing the formation of surfactant molecules inside the vesicle in response to a change in external pH. The surfactant permeabilizes the lipid bilayer membrane to facilitate release of an encapsulated hydrophilic cargo. In the absence of the pH control signal, the catalyst is inactive, and the cargo remains encapsulated within the vesicle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Langton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Lorel M Scriven
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas H Williams
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield , Sheffield S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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20
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Langton MJ, Williams NH, Hunter CA. Recognition-Controlled Membrane Translocation for Signal Transduction across Lipid Bilayers. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:6461-6466. [PMID: 28462993 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b02345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Membrane signaling proteins transduce information across lipid bilayer membranes in response to extra-cellular binding of chemical messengers. The design of chemical systems that initiate transmembrane signal transduction through molecular binding events is a critical step toward preparing responsive synthetic vesicles. Here we report a vesicle-based signaling system controlled by a metal cation binding event. Competition between binding of copper ions to a membrane-embedded synthetic transducer and to an extra-vesicle messenger (EDTA) is used to control translocation of the transducer across the lipid bilayer. The translocation process is coupled to activation of a catalyst that turns over encapsulated substrates on the inside of the vesicle to generate an amplified fluorescence output signal. External EDTA and copper ions can be used to reversibly switch catalysis inside the vesicles on and off in a controlled manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Langton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas H Williams
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield , Sheffield S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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Fernandez-Trillo F, Grover LM, Stephenson-Brown A, Harrison P, Mendes PM. Vesicles in Nature and the Laboratory: Elucidation of Their Biological Properties and Synthesis of Increasingly Complex Synthetic Vesicles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:3142-3160. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201607825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Liam M. Grover
- School of Chemical Engineering; University of Birmingham; Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Alex Stephenson-Brown
- School of Chemical Engineering; University of Birmingham; Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Paul Harrison
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing (IIA); University of Birmingham; Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Paula M. Mendes
- School of Chemical Engineering; University of Birmingham; Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT UK
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Fernandez-Trillo F, Grover LM, Stephenson-Brown A, Harrison P, Mendes PM. Vesikel in der Natur und im Labor: die Aufklärung der biologischen Eigenschaften und die Synthese zunehmend komplexer synthetischer Vesikel. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201607825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Liam M. Grover
- School of Chemical Engineering; University of Birmingham; Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT Großbritannien
| | - Alex Stephenson-Brown
- School of Chemical Engineering; University of Birmingham; Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT Großbritannien
| | - Paul Harrison
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing (IIA); University of Birmingham; Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT Großbritannien
| | - Paula M. Mendes
- School of Chemical Engineering; University of Birmingham; Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT Großbritannien
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Controlled membrane translocation provides a mechanism for signal transduction and amplification. Nat Chem 2016; 9:426-430. [PMID: 28430205 DOI: 10.1038/nchem.2678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Transmission and amplification of chemical signals across lipid bilayer membranes is of profound significance in many biological processes, from the development of multicellular organisms to information processing in the nervous system. In biology, membrane-spanning proteins are responsible for the transmission of chemical signals across membranes, and signal transduction is often associated with an amplified signalling cascade. The ability to reproduce such processes in artificial systems has potential applications in sensing, controlled drug delivery and communication between compartments in tissue-like constructs of synthetic vesicles. Here we describe a mechanism for transmitting a chemical signal across a membrane based on the controlled translocation of a synthetic molecular transducer from one side of a lipid bilayer membrane to the other. The controlled molecular motion has been coupled to the activation of a catalyst on the inside of a vesicle, which leads to a signal-amplification process analogous to the biological counterpart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supratim Banerjee
- Institut für Organische
Chemie, Universität Regensburg,
D-93040 Regensburg,
Germany
| | - Burkhard König
- Institut für Organische
Chemie, Universität Regensburg,
D-93040 Regensburg,
Germany
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Grimm C, Meyer T, Czapla S, Nikolaus J, Scheidt HA, Vogel A, Herrmann A, Wessig P, Huster D, Müller P. Structure and Dynamics of Molecular Rods in Membranes: Application of a Spin-Labeled Rod. Chemistry 2013; 19:2703-10. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201202500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2012] [Revised: 11/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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27
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Banerjee S, Bhuyan M, König B. Tb(iii) functionalized vesicles for phosphate sensing: membrane fluidity controls the sensitivity. Chem Commun (Camb) 2013; 49:5681-3. [DOI: 10.1039/c3cc42132e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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29
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30
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Gruber B, Balk S, Stadlbauer S, König B. Dynamisches Oberflächen-Imprinting: hochaffine Peptid-Bindungsstellen durch induzierte Organisation von synthetischen Membranrezeptoren. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201205701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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31
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Gruber B, Balk S, Stadlbauer S, König B. Dynamic Interface Imprinting: High-Affinity Peptide Binding Sites Assembled by Analyte-Induced Recruiting of Membrane Receptors. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2012; 51:10060-3. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201205701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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32
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Bernitzki K, Maue M, Schrader T. Artificial signal transduction with primary and secondary messengers. Chemistry 2012; 18:13412-7. [PMID: 22961842 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201200623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The complete, entirely artificial, signal-transduction process was realized with a pair of tailored transmembrane units that were equipped with receptor- and reactive sites at both amphiphilic ends. Thus, docking of the primary messenger, transmission of the signal, and release of the secondary messenger could all be imitated in a single experimental setup. The system imitates the signaling principle of receptor tyrosine kinases and employs bisphosphonate head-groups for oligoamine-recognition and a pair of thiol nucleophiles and pyridine disulfide tail-groups for intravesicle S(N)2 displacement. This system operates in a unidirectional fashion, does not suffer from intervesicle competition, and is highly sensitive towards the lipid composition of the membrane and the nature of the primary messenger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Bernitzki
- Department of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 7, 45117 Essen, Germany
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