1
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Garza-Miyazato D, Hanashima S, Umegawa Y, Murata M, Kinoshita M, Matsumori N, Greimel P. Mode of molecular interaction of triterpenoid saponin ginsenoside Rh2 with membrane lipids in liquid-disordered phases. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2024; 1866:184366. [PMID: 38960300 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2024.184366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2) is a ginseng saponin comprising a triterpene core and one unit of glucose and has attracted much attention due to its diverse biological activities. In the present study, we used small-angle X-ray diffraction, solid-state NMR, fluorescence microscopy, and MD simulations to investigate the molecular interaction of Rh2 with membrane lipids in the liquid-disordered (Ld) phase mainly composed of palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine compared with those in liquid-ordered (Lo) phase mainly composed of sphingomyelin and cholesterol. The electron density profiles determined by X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that Rh2 tends to be present in the shallow interior of the bilayer in the Ld phase, while Rh2 accumulation was significantly smaller in the Lo phase. Order parameters at intermediate depths in the bilayer leaflet obtained from 2H NMR spectra and MD simulations indicated that Rh2 reduces the order of the acyl chains of lipids in the Ld phase. The dihydroxy group and glucose moiety at both ends of the hydrophobic triterpene core of Rh2 cause tilting of the molecular axis relative to the membrane normal, which may enhance membrane permeability by loosening the packing of lipid acyl chains. These features of Rh2 are distinct from steroidal saponins such as digitonin and dioscin, which exert strong membrane-disrupting activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darcy Garza-Miyazato
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan
| | - Shinya Hanashima
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan; Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-cho Minami, Tottori 680-8552, Japan.
| | - Yuichi Umegawa
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan
| | - Michio Murata
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan; Forefront Research Centre for Fundamental Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan.
| | - Masanao Kinoshita
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Matsumori
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Peter Greimel
- Laboratory for Cell Function Dynamics, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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2
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Nicolella Z, Okamoto Y, Watanabe NM, Thompson GL, Umakoshi H. Significance of in situ quantitative membrane property-morphology relation (QmPMR) analysis. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:4935-4949. [PMID: 38873752 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00253a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Deformation of the cell membrane is well understood from the viewpoint of protein interactions and free energy balance. However, the various dynamic properties of the membrane, such as lipid packing and hydrophobicity, and their relationship with cell membrane deformation are unknown. Therefore, the deformation of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and oleic acid (OA) giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) was induced by heating and cooling cycles, and time-lapse analysis was conducted based on the membrane hydrophobicity and physical parameters of "single-parent" and "daughter" vesicles. Fluorescence ratiometric analysis by simultaneous dual-wavelength detection revealed the variation of different hydrophilic GUVs and enabled inferences of the "daughter" vesicle composition and the "parent" membrane's local composition during deformation; the "daughter" vesicle composition of OA was lower than that of the "parents", and lateral movement of OA was the primary contributor to the formation of the "daughter" vesicles. Thus, our findings and the newly developed methodology, named in situ quantitative membrane property-morphology relation (QmPMR) analysis, would provide new insights into cell deformation and accelerate research on both deformation and its related events, such as budding and birthing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Nicolella
- Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan.
| | - Yukihiro Okamoto
- Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan.
| | - Nozomi Morishita Watanabe
- Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan.
| | - Gary Lee Thompson
- Rowan University, Rowan Hall, Room 333 70 Sewell St., Ste. E Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Hiroshi Umakoshi
- Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan.
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3
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Zhao J, Han X. Investigation of artificial cells containing the Par system for bacterial plasmid segregation and inheritance mimicry. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4956. [PMID: 38858376 PMCID: PMC11164925 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49412-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A crucial step in life processes is the transfer of accurate and correct genetic material to offspring. During the construction of autonomous artificial cells, a very important step is the inheritance of genetic information in divided artificial cells. The ParMRC system, as one of the most representative systems for DNA segregation in bacteria, can be purified and reconstituted into GUVs to form artificial cells. In this study, we demonstrate that the eGFP gene is segregated into two poles by a ParM filament with ParR as the intermediate linker to bind ParM and parC-eGFP DNA in artificial cells. After the ParM filament splits, the cells are externally induced to divide into two daughter cells that contain parC-eGFP DNA by osmotic pressure and laser irradiation. Using a PURE system, we translate eGFP DNA into enhanced green fluorescent proteins in daughter cells, and bacterial plasmid segregation and inheritance are successfully mimicked in artificial cells. Our results could lead to the construction of more sophisticated artificial cells that can reproduce with genetic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaojun Han
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China.
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4
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Jahnke K, Pavlovic M, Xu W, Chen A, Knowles TPJ, Arriaga LR, Weitz DA. Polysaccharide functionalization reduces lipid vesicle stiffness. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2317227121. [PMID: 38771870 PMCID: PMC11145274 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2317227121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The biophysical properties of lipid vesicles are important for their stability and integrity, key parameters that control the performance when these vesicles are used for drug delivery. The vesicle properties are determined by the composition of lipids used to form the vesicle. However, for a given lipid composition, they can also be tailored by tethering polymers to the membrane. Typically, synthetic polymers like polyethyleneglycol are used to increase vesicle stability, but the use of polysaccharides in this context is much less explored. Here, we report a general method for functionalizing lipid vesicles with polysaccharides by binding them to cholesterol. We incorporate the polysaccharides on the outer membrane leaflet of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and investigate their effect on membrane mechanics using micropipette aspiration. We find that the presence of the glycolipid functionalization produces an unexpected softening of GUVs with fluid-like membranes. By contrast, the functionalization of GUVs with polyethylene glycol does not reduce their stretching modulus. This work provides the potential means to study membrane-bound meshworks of polysaccharides similar to the cellular glycocalyx; moreover, it can be used for tuning the mechanical properties of drug delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Jahnke
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
| | - Marko Pavlovic
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
| | - Wentao Xu
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
| | - Anqi Chen
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Laura R. Arriaga
- Department of Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics, Condensed Matter Physics Center and Instituto Nicolás Cabrera, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid28049, Spain
| | - David A. Weitz
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
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5
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Lee Y, Fracassi A, Devaraj NK. Control of giant vesicle assemblies by stimuli-responsive lipids. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:3930-3933. [PMID: 38497420 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc00322e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
We describe a bottom-up synthesis of giant vesicles (GVs) utilizing an artificial stimuli-responsive diazobenzene lipid building block. Controlled by light, the GVs can exhibit dynamic behaviors, including reversible formation, the generation of highly multilamellar assemblies, and vesicle capturing and releasing events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngjun Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
| | - Alessandro Fracassi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
| | - Neal K Devaraj
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
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6
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Kanaparthi D, Lampe M, Krohn JH, Zhu B, Hildebrand F, Boesen T, Klingl A, Phapale P, Lueders T. The reproduction process of Gram-positive protocells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7075. [PMID: 38528088 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57369-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Protocells are believed to have existed on early Earth prior to the emergence of prokaryotes. Due to their rudimentary nature, it is widely accepted that these protocells lacked intracellular mechanisms to regulate their reproduction, thereby relying heavily on environmental conditions. To understand protocell reproduction, we adopted a top-down approach of transforming a Gram-positive bacterium into a lipid-vesicle-like state. In this state, cells lacked intrinsic mechanisms to regulate their morphology or reproduction, resembling theoretical propositions on protocells. Subsequently, we grew these proxy-protocells under the environmental conditions of early Earth to understand their impact on protocell reproduction. Despite the lack of molecular biological coordination, cells in our study underwent reproduction in an organized manner. The method and the efficiency of their reproduction can be explained by an interplay between the physicochemical properties of cell constituents and environmental conditions. While the overall reproductive efficiency in these top-down modified cells was lower than their counterparts with a cell wall, the process always resulted in viable daughter cells. Given the simplicity and suitability of this reproduction method to early Earth environmental conditions, we propose that primitive protocells likely reproduced by a process like the one we described below.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dheeraj Kanaparthi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Munich, Germany.
- Chair of Ecological Microbiology, BayCeer, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
- Excellenzcluster Origins, Garching, Germany.
| | - Marko Lampe
- Advanced Light Microscopy Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan-Hagen Krohn
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Munich, Germany
- Excellenzcluster Origins, Garching, Germany
| | - Baoli Zhu
- Chair of Ecological Microbiology, BayCeer, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Regions, CAS, Changsha, China
| | | | - Thomas Boesen
- Department of Biosciences, Center for Electromicrobiology, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Andreas Klingl
- Department of Biology, LMU, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Prasad Phapale
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tillmann Lueders
- Chair of Ecological Microbiology, BayCeer, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
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7
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Maffeis V, Heuberger L, Nikoletić A, Schoenenberger C, Palivan CG. Synthetic Cells Revisited: Artificial Cells Construction Using Polymeric Building Blocks. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305837. [PMID: 37984885 PMCID: PMC10885666 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The exponential growth of research on artificial cells and organelles underscores their potential as tools to advance the understanding of fundamental biological processes. The bottom-up construction from a variety of building blocks at the micro- and nanoscale, in combination with biomolecules is key to developing artificial cells. In this review, artificial cells are focused upon based on compartments where polymers are the main constituent of the assembly. Polymers are of particular interest due to their incredible chemical variety and the advantage of tuning the properties and functionality of their assemblies. First, the architectures of micro- and nanoscale polymer assemblies are introduced and then their usage as building blocks is elaborated upon. Different membrane-bound and membrane-less compartments and supramolecular structures and how they combine into advanced synthetic cells are presented. Then, the functional aspects are explored, addressing how artificial organelles in giant compartments mimic cellular processes. Finally, how artificial cells communicate with their surrounding and each other such as to adapt to an ever-changing environment and achieve collective behavior as a steppingstone toward artificial tissues, is taken a look at. Engineering artificial cells with highly controllable and programmable features open new avenues for the development of sophisticated multifunctional systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maffeis
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- NCCR‐Molecular Systems EngineeringBPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24aBaselCH‐4058Switzerland
| | - Lukas Heuberger
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
| | - Anamarija Nikoletić
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience InstituteUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 82BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
| | | | - Cornelia G. Palivan
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- NCCR‐Molecular Systems EngineeringBPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24aBaselCH‐4058Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience InstituteUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 82BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
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8
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Efodili E, Knight A, Mirza M, Briones C, Lee IH. Spontaneous transfer of small peripheral peptides between supported lipid bilayer and giant unilamellar vesicles. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2024; 1866:184256. [PMID: 37989398 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2023.184256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Vesicular trafficking facilitates material transport between membrane-bound organelles. Membrane protein cargos are trafficked for relocation, recycling, and degradation during various physiological processes. In vitro fusion studies utilized synthetic lipid membranes to study the molecular mechanisms of vesicular trafficking and to develop synthetic materials mimicking the biological membrane trafficking. Various fusogenic conditions which can induce vesicular fusion have been used to establish synthetic systems that can mimic biological systems. Despite these efforts, the mechanisms underlying vesicular trafficking of membrane proteins remain limited and robust in vitro methods that can construct synthetic trafficking systems for membrane proteins between large membranes (>1 μm2) are unavailable. Here, we provide data to show the spontaneous transfer of small membrane-bound peptides (∼4 kD) between a supported lipid bilayer (SLB) and giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). We found that the contact between the SLB and GUVs led to the occasional but notable transfer of membrane-bound peptides in a physiological saline buffer condition (pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl). Quantitative and dynamic time-lapse analyses suggested that the observed exchange occurred through the formation of hemi-fusion stalks between the SLB and GUVs. Larger protein cargos with a size of ∼77 kD could not be transferred between the SLB and GUVs, suggesting that the larger-sized cargos limited diffusion across the hemi-fusion stalk, which was predicted to have a highly curved structure. Compositional study showed Ni-chelated lipid head group was the essential component catalyzing the process. Our system serves as an example synthetic platform that enables the investigation of small-peptide trafficking between synthetic membranes and reveals hemi-fused lipid bridge formation as a mechanism of peptide transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Efodili
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA
| | - Ashlynn Knight
- Department of Biology, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA
| | - Maryem Mirza
- College of humanities and social sciences, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA
| | - Cedric Briones
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA
| | - Il-Hyung Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA.
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9
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Gannon A, Quaife B, Young YN. Hydrodynamics of a multicomponent vesicle under strong confinement. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:599-608. [PMID: 38131477 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01087b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
We numerically investigate the hydrodynamics and membrane dynamics of a multicomponent vesicle in two strongly confined geometries. This serves as a simplified model for red blood cells undergoing large deformations while traversing narrow constrictions. We propose a new parameterization for the bending modulus that remains positive for all lipid phase parameter values. For a multicomponent vesicle passing through a stenosis, we establish connections between various properties: lipid phase coarsening, size and flow profile of the lubrication layers, excess pressure, and the tank-treading velocity of the membrane. For a multicomponent vesicle passing through a contracting channel, we find that the lipid always phase separates so that the vesicle is stiffer in the front as it passes through the constriction. For both cases of confinement we find that lipid coarsening is arrested under strong confinement, and resumes at a high rate upon relief from extreme confinement. The results may be useful for efficient sorting lipid domains using microfluidic flows by controlled release of vesicles passing through strong confinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Gannon
- Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
| | - Bryan Quaife
- Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
| | - Y-N Young
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA.
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10
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Lipowsky R. Multispherical shapes of vesicles with intramembrane domains. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2024; 47:4. [PMID: 38206459 PMCID: PMC10784401 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-023-00399-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Phase separation of biomembranes into two fluid phases, a and b, leads to the formation of vesicles with intramembrane a- and b-domains. These vesicles can attain multispherical shapes consisting of several spheres connected by closed membrane necks. Here, we study the morphological complexity of these multispheres using the theory of curvature elasticity. Vesicles with two domains form two-sphere shapes, consisting of one a- and one b-sphere, connected by a closed ab-neck. The necks' effective mean curvature is used to distinguish positive from negative necks. Two-sphere shapes of two-domain vesicles can attain four different morphologies that are governed by two different stability conditions. The closed ab-necks are compressed by constriction forces which induce neck fission and vesicle division for large line tensions and/or large spontaneous curvatures. Multispherical shapes with one ab-neck and additional aa- and bb-necks involve several stability conditions, which act to reduce the stability regimes of the multispheres. Furthermore, vesicles with more than two domains form multispheres with more than one ab-neck. The multispherical shapes described here represent generalized constant-mean-curvature surfaces with up to four constant mean curvatures. These shapes are accessible to experimental studies using available methods for giant vesicles prepared from ternary lipid mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Lipowsky
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14424, Potsdam, Germany.
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11
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van Tilburg MA, Marrink SJ, König M, Grünewald F. Shocker─A Molecular Dynamics Protocol and Tool for Accelerating and Analyzing the Effects of Osmotic Shocks. J Chem Theory Comput 2024; 20:212-223. [PMID: 38109481 PMCID: PMC10782443 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
The process of osmosis, a fundamental phenomenon in life, drives water through a semipermeable membrane in response to a solute concentration gradient across this membrane. In vitro, osmotic shocks are often used to drive shape changes in lipid vesicles, for instance, to study fission events in the context of artificial cells. While experimental techniques provide a macroscopic picture of large-scale membrane remodeling processes, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are a powerful tool to study membrane deformations at the molecular level. However, simulating an osmotic shock is a time-consuming process due to slow water diffusion across the membrane, making it practically impossible to examine its effects in classic MD simulations. In this article, we present Shocker, a Python-based MD tool for simulating the effects of an osmotic shock by selecting and relocating water particles across a membrane over the course of several pumping cycles. Although this method is primarily aimed at efficiently simulating volume changes in vesicles, it can also handle membrane tubes and double bilayer systems. Additionally, Shocker is force field-independent and compatible with both coarse-grained and all-atom systems. We demonstrate that our tool is applicable to simulate both hypertonic and hypotonic osmotic shocks for a range of vesicular and bilamellar setups, including complex multicomponent systems containing membrane proteins or crowded internal solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco
P. A. van Tilburg
- Groningen
Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute
for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Siewert J. Marrink
- Groningen
Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute
for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Melanie König
- Groningen
Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute
for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Fabian Grünewald
- Groningen
Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute
for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
- Heidelberg
Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Schloss-Wolfsbrunnenweg 35, 69118 Heidelberg, Germany
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12
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Staufer O. Breaking the bottleneck of synthetic cells. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:3-4. [PMID: 37828265 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01509-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Staufer
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Campus E8 1, Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, Campus Saarland, Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, Bristol, UK.
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13
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Kaufmann A, Vigogne M, Neuendorf TA, Reverte-López M, Rivas G, Thiele J. Studying Nucleoid-Associated Protein-DNA Interactions Using Polymer Microgels as Synthetic Mimics. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3695-3703. [PMID: 37965889 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidically fabricated polymer microgels are used as an experimental platform to analyze protein-DNA interactions regulating bacterial cell division. In particular, we focused on the nucleoid-associated protein SlmA, which forms a nucleoprotein complex with short DNA binding sequences (SBS) that acts as a negative regulator of the division ring stability in Escherichia coli. To mimic the bacterial nucleoid as a dense DNA region of a bacterial cell and investigate the influence of charge and permeability on protein binding and diffusion in there, we have chosen nonionic polyethylene glycol and anionic hyaluronic acid as precursor materials for hydrogel formation, previously functionalized with SBS. SlmA binds specifically to the coupled SBS for both types of microgels while preferentially accumulating at the microgels' surface. We could control the binding specificity by adjusting the buffer composition of the DNA-functionalized microgels. The microgel charge did not impact protein binding; however, hyaluronic acid-based microgels exhibit a higher permeability, promoting protein diffusion; thus, they were the preferred choice for preparing nucleoid mimics. The approaches described here provide attractive tools for bottom-up reconstitution of essential cellular processes in media that more faithfully reproduce intracellular environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Kaufmann
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michelle Vigogne
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Talika A Neuendorf
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - María Reverte-López
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Germán Rivas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Julian Thiele
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Chemistry, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
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14
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Van de Cauter L, van Buren L, Koenderink GH, Ganzinger KA. Exploring Giant Unilamellar Vesicle Production for Artificial Cells - Current Challenges and Future Directions. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300416. [PMID: 37464561 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Creating an artificial cell from the bottom up is a long-standing challenge and, while significant progress has been made, the full realization of this goal remains elusive. Arguably, one of the biggest hurdles that researchers are facing now is the assembly of different modules of cell function inside a single container. Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) have emerged as a suitable container with many methods available for their production. Well-studied swelling-based methods offer a wide range of lipid compositions but at the expense of limited encapsulation efficiency. Emulsion-based methods, on the other hand, excel at encapsulation but are only effective with a limited set of membrane compositions and may entrap residual additives in the lipid bilayer. Since the ultimate artificial cell will need to comply with both specific membrane and encapsulation requirements, there is still no one-method-fits-all solution for GUV formation available today. This review discusses the state of the art in different GUV production methods and their compatibility with GUV requirements and operational requirements such as reproducibility and ease of use. It concludes by identifying the most pressing issues and proposes potential avenues for future research to bring us one step closer to turning artificial cells into a reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori Van de Cauter
- Autonomous Matter Department, AMOLF, Amsterdam, 1098 XG, The Netherlands
| | - Lennard van Buren
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Gijsje H Koenderink
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
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15
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Kanaparthi D, Lampe M, Krohn JH, Zhu B, Klingl A, Lueders T. The reproduction of gram-negative protoplasts and the influence of environmental conditions on this process. iScience 2023; 26:108149. [PMID: 37942012 PMCID: PMC10628739 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial protoplasts are known to reproduce independently of canonical molecular biological processes. Although their reproduction is thought to be influenced by environmental conditions, the growth of protoplasts in their natural habitat has never been empirically studied. Here, we studied the life cycle of protoplasts in their native environment. Contrary to the previous perception that protoplasts reproduce in an erratic manner, cells in our study reproduced in a defined sequence of steps, always leading to viable daughter cells. Their reproduction can be explained by an interplay between intracellular metabolism, the physicochemical properties of cell constituents, and the nature of cations in the growth media. The efficiency of reproduction is determined by the environmental conditions. Under favorable environmental conditions, protoplasts reproduce with nearly similar efficiency to cells that possess a cell wall. In short, here we demonstrate the simplest method of cellular reproduction and the influence of environmental conditions on this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dheeraj Kanaparthi
- Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Munich, Germany
- Chair of Ecological Microbiology, BayCeer, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Excellence Cluster ORIGINS, Garching, Germany
| | - Marko Lampe
- Advanced Light Microscopy Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan-Hagen Krohn
- Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Munich, Germany
- Excellence Cluster ORIGINS, Garching, Germany
| | - Baoli Zhu
- Chair of Ecological Microbiology, BayCeer, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Regions, CAS, Changsha, China
| | - Andreas Klingl
- Department of Biology, LMU, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Tillmann Lueders
- Chair of Ecological Microbiology, BayCeer, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
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16
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Zhang H, Fang J, Dai Y, Pan Y, Chu K, Smith ZJ. Rapid Intracellular Detection and Analysis of Lipid Droplets' Morpho-Chemical Composition by Phase-Guided Raman Sampling. Anal Chem 2023; 95:13555-13565. [PMID: 37650651 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02181] [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: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic, complex organelles involved in nearly all aspects of cellular metabolism. In situ characterization methods are primarily limited to fluorescence imaging, which yields limited chemical information, or Raman spectroscopy, which provides excellent chemical profiling but very low throughput. Here, we propose a new paradigm where locations of both large and small droplets are obtained automatically from high-resolution phase images and fed into a galvomirror-controlled Raman sampling arm to obtain the full spectrum of each LD efficiently. Using this phase-guided Raman sampling, we can characterize hundreds of LDs within a single cell in minutes and easily acquire more than 40,000 high-quality spectra. The data set revealed strong, cell line-dependent, cell-dependent, and individual droplet-dependent composition changes to various culture conditions. In particular, we revealed a strong competitive relationship between mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, where supplementation with one led to a relative decrease in the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Jingde Fang
- Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Yichuan Dai
- Department of Advanced Manufacturing, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330027, China
| | - Yang Pan
- Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Kaiqin Chu
- University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Zachary J Smith
- Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
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17
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Li Z, Wang J, O’Hagan MP, Huang F, Xia F, Willner I. Dynamic Fusion of Nucleic Acid Functionalized Nano-/Micro-Cell-Like Containments: From Basic Concepts to Applications. ACS NANO 2023; 17:15308-15327. [PMID: 37549398 PMCID: PMC10448756 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c04415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Membrane fusion processes play key roles in biological transformations, such as endocytosis/exocytosis, signal transduction, neurotransmission, or viral infections, and substantial research efforts have been directed to emulate these functions by artificial means. The recognition and dynamic reconfiguration properties of nucleic acids provide a versatile means to induce membrane fusion. Here we address recent advances in the functionalization of liposomes or membranes with structurally engineered lipidated nucleic acids guiding the fusion of cell-like containments, and the biophysical and chemical parameters controlling the fusion of the liposomes will be discussed. Intermembrane bridging by duplex or triplex nucleic acids and light-induced activation of membrane-associated nucleic acid constituents provide the means for spatiotemporal fusion of liposomes or nucleic acid modified liposome fusion with native cell membranes. The membrane fusion processes lead to exchange of loads in the fused containments and are a means to integrate functional assemblies. This is exemplified with the operation of biocatalytic cascades and dynamic DNA polymerization/nicking or transcription machineries in fused protocell systems. Membrane fusion processes of protocell assemblies are found to have important drug-delivery, therapeutic, sensing, and biocatalytic applications. The future challenges and perspectives of DNA-guided fused containments and membranes are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Li
- The
Institute of Chemistry, The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Jianbang Wang
- The
Institute of Chemistry, The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Michael P. O’Hagan
- The
Institute of Chemistry, The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Fujian Huang
- State
Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering
Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty
of Materials Science and Chemistry, China
University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fan Xia
- State
Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering
Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty
of Materials Science and Chemistry, China
University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, People’s Republic of China
| | - Itamar Willner
- The
Institute of Chemistry, The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
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18
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Lin AJ, Sihorwala AZ, Belardi B. Engineering Tissue-Scale Properties with Synthetic Cells: Forging One from Many. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:1889-1907. [PMID: 37417657 PMCID: PMC11017731 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
In metazoans, living cells achieve capabilities beyond individual cell functionality by assembling into multicellular tissue structures. These higher-order structures represent dynamic, heterogeneous, and responsive systems that have evolved to regenerate and coordinate their actions over large distances. Recent advances in constructing micrometer-sized vesicles, or synthetic cells, now point to a future where construction of synthetic tissue can be pursued, a boon to pressing material needs in biomedical implants, drug delivery systems, adhesives, filters, and storage devices, among others. To fully realize the potential of synthetic tissue, inspiration has been and will continue to be drawn from new molecular findings on its natural counterpart. In this review, we describe advances in introducing tissue-scale features into synthetic cell assemblies. Beyond mere complexation, synthetic cells have been fashioned with a variety of natural and engineered molecular components that serve as initial steps toward morphological control and patterning, intercellular communication, replication, and responsiveness in synthetic tissue. Particular attention has been paid to the dynamics, spatial constraints, and mechanical strengths of interactions that drive the synthesis of this next-generation material, describing how multiple synthetic cells can act as one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Ahmed Z Sihorwala
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Brian Belardi
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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19
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Stano P, Tsumoto K. Membranous and Membraneless Interfaces-Origins of Artificial Cellular Complexity. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1594. [PMID: 37511969 PMCID: PMC10381752 DOI: 10.3390/life13071594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Living cell architecture is based on the concept of micro-compartmentation at different hierarchical levels [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Stano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Kanta Tsumoto
- Division of Chemistry for Materials, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu 514-8507, Mie, Japan
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20
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Yin Z, Gao N, Xu C, Li M, Mann S. Autonomic Integration in Nested Protocell Communities. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37369121 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c02816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The self-driven organization of model protocells into higher-order nested cytomimetic systems with coordinated structural and functional relationships offers a step toward the autonomic implementation of artificial multicellularity. Here, we describe an endosymbiotic-like pathway in which proteinosomes are captured within membranized alginate/silk fibroin coacervate vesicles by guest-mediated reconfiguration of the host protocells. We demonstrate that interchange of coacervate vesicle and droplet morphologies through proteinosome-mediated urease/glucose oxidase activity produces discrete nested communities capable of integrated catalytic activity and selective disintegration. The self-driving capacity is modulated by an internalized fuel-driven process using starch hydrolases sequestered within the host coacervate phase, and structural stabilization of the integrated protocell populations can be achieved by on-site enzyme-mediated matrix reinforcement involving dipeptide supramolecular assembly or tyramine-alginate covalent cross-linking. Our work highlights a semi-autonomous mechanism for constructing symbiotic cell-like nested communities and provides opportunities for the development of reconfigurable cytomimetic materials with structural, functional, and organizational complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuping Yin
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Ning Gao
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Can Xu
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Mei Li
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Stephen Mann
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
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21
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Arribas Perez M, Beales PA. Dynamics of asymmetric membranes and interleaflet coupling as intermediates in membrane fusion. Biophys J 2023; 122:1985-1995. [PMID: 36203354 PMCID: PMC10257014 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion is a tool to increase the complexity of model membrane systems. Here, we use silica nanoparticles to fuse liquid-disordered DOPC giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and liquid-ordered DPPC:cholesterol (7:3) GUVs. After fusion, GUVs display large membrane domains as confirmed by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Laurdan spectral imaging of the membrane phases in the fused GUVs shows differences compared with the initial vesicles indicating some lipid redistribution between phase domains as dictated by the tie lines of the phase diagram. Remarkably, using real-time confocal microscopy we were able to record the dynamics of formation of asymmetric membrane domains in hemifused GUVs and detected interleaflet coupling phenomena by which the DOPC-rich liquid-disordered domains in outer monolayer modulates the phase state of the DPPC:cholesterol inner membrane leaflet which transitions from liquid-ordered to liquid-disordered phase. We find that internal membrane stresses generated by membrane asymmetry enhance the efficiency of full fusion compared with our previous studies on symmetric vesicle fusion. Furthermore, under these conditions, the liquid-disordered monolayer dictates the bilayer phase state of asymmetric membrane domains in >90% of observed cases. By comparison to the findings of previous literature, we suggest that the monolayer phase that dominates the bilayer properties could be a mechanoresponsive signaling mechanism sensitive to the local membrane environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Arribas Perez
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology and School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Paul A Beales
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology and School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Bragg Centre for Materials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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22
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Rubio-Sánchez R, Mognetti BM, Cicuta P, Di Michele L. DNA-Origami Line-Actants Control Domain Organization and Fission in Synthetic Membranes. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:11265-11275. [PMID: 37163977 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c01493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Cells can precisely program the shape and lateral organization of their membranes using protein machinery. Aiming to replicate a comparable degree of control, here we introduce DNA-origami line-actants (DOLAs) as synthetic analogues of membrane-sculpting proteins. DOLAs are designed to selectively accumulate at the line-interface between coexisting domains in phase-separated lipid membranes, modulating the tendency of the domains to coalesce. With experiments and coarse-grained simulations, we demonstrate that DOLAs can reversibly stabilize two-dimensional analogues of Pickering emulsions on synthetic giant liposomes, enabling dynamic programming of membrane lateral organization. The control afforded over membrane structure by DOLAs extends to three-dimensional morphology, as exemplified by a proof-of-concept synthetic pathway leading to vesicle fission. With DOLAs we lay the foundations for mimicking, in synthetic systems, some of the critical membrane-hosted functionalities of biological cells, including signaling, trafficking, sensing, and division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Rubio-Sánchez
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
- fabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Bortolo Matteo Mognetti
- Interdisciplinary Center for Nonlinear Phenomena and Complex Systems, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Campus Plaine, CP 231, Boulevard du Triomphe, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenzo Di Michele
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
- fabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
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23
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Caliari A, Hanczyc MM, Imai M, Xu J, Yomo T. Quantification of Giant Unilamellar Vesicle Fusion Products by High-Throughput Image Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098241. [PMID: 37175944 PMCID: PMC10179211 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098241] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial cells are based on dynamic compartmentalized systems. Thus, remodeling of membrane-bound systems, such as giant unilamellar vesicles, is finding applications beyond biological studies, to engineer cell-mimicking structures. Giant unilamellar vesicle fusion is rapidly becoming an essential experimental step as artificial cells gain prominence in synthetic biology. Several techniques have been developed to accomplish this step, with varying efficiency and selectivity. To date, characterization of vesicle fusion has relied on small samples of giant vesicles, examined either manually or by fluorometric assays on suspensions of small and large unilamellar vesicles. Automation of the detection and characterization of fusion products is now necessary for the screening and optimization of these fusion protocols. To this end, we implemented a fusion assay based on fluorophore colocalization on the membranes and in the lumen of vesicles. Fluorescence colocalization was evaluated within single compartments by image segmentation with minimal user input, allowing the application of the technique to high-throughput screenings. After detection, statistical information on vesicle fluorescence and morphological properties can be summarized and visualized, assessing lipid and content transfer for each object by the correlation coefficient of different fluorescence channels. Using this tool, we report and characterize the unexpected fusogenic activity of sodium chloride on phosphatidylcholine giant vesicles. Lipid transfer in most of the vesicles could be detected after 20 h of incubation, while content exchange only occurred with additional stimuli in around 8% of vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Caliari
- Laboratory of Biology and Information Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Laboratory for Artificial Biology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Polo Scientifico e Tecnologico Fabio Ferrari, Polo B, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo, Italy
| | - Martin M Hanczyc
- Laboratory for Artificial Biology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Polo Scientifico e Tecnologico Fabio Ferrari, Polo B, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo, Italy
| | - Masayuki Imai
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki, Aoba, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Jian Xu
- Laboratory of Biology and Information Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Tetsuya Yomo
- Laboratory of Biology and Information Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
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24
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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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25
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Godino E, Danelon C. Gene-Directed FtsZ Ring Assembly Generates Constricted Liposomes with Stable Membrane Necks. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2200172. [PMID: 36593513 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Mimicking bacterial cell division in well-defined cell-free systems has the potential to elucidate the minimal set of proteins required for cytoskeletal formation, membrane constriction, and final abscission. Membrane-anchored FtsZ polymers are often regarded as a sufficient system to realize this chain of events. By using purified FtsZ and its membrane-binding protein FtsA or the gain-of-function mutant FtsA* expressed in PURE (Protein synthesis Using Reconstituted Elements) from a DNA template, it is shown in this study that cytoskeletal structures are formed, and yield constricted liposomes exhibiting various morphologies. However, the resulting buds remain attached to the parental liposome by a narrow membrane neck. No division events can be monitored even after long-time tracking by fluorescence microscopy, nor when the osmolarity of the external solution is increased. The results provide evidence that reconstituted FtsA-FtsZ proto-rings coating the membrane necks are too stable to enable abscission. The prospect of combining a DNA-encoded FtsZ system with assisting mechanisms to achieve synthetic cell division is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Godino
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Christophe Danelon
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629HZ, The Netherlands
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26
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Dreher Y, Fichtler J, Karfusehr C, Jahnke K, Xin Y, Keller A, Göpfrich K. Genotype-phenotype mapping with polyominos made from DNA origami tiles. Biophys J 2022; 121:4840-4848. [PMID: 36088535 PMCID: PMC9811662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The correlation between genetic information and characteristics of a living cell-its genotype and its phenotype-constitutes the basis of genetics. Here, we experimentally realize a primitive form of genotype-phenotype mapping with DNA origami. The DNA origami can polymerize into two-dimensional lattices (phenotype) via blunt-end stacking facilitated by edge staples at the seam of the planar DNA origami. There are 80 binding positions for edge staples, which allow us to translate an 80-bit long binary code (genotype) onto the DNA origami. The presence of an edge staple thus corresponds to a "1" and its absence to a "0." The interactions of our DNA-based system can be reproduced by a polyomino model. Polyomino growth simulations qualitatively reproduce our experimental results. We show that not only the absolute number of base stacks but also their sequence position determine the cluster size and correlation length of the orientation of single DNA origami within the cluster. Importantly, the mutation of a few bits can result in major morphology changes of the DNA origami cluster, while more often, major sequence changes have no impact. Our experimental realization of a correlation between binary information ("genotype") and cluster morphology ("phenotype") thus reproduces key properties of genotype-phenotype maps known from living systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannik Dreher
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Biophysical Engineering Group, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julius Fichtler
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Biophysical Engineering Group, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Karfusehr
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Biophysical Engineering Group, Heidelberg, Germany; Max Planck School Matter to Life, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kevin Jahnke
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Biophysical Engineering Group, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yang Xin
- Paderborn University, Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Adrian Keller
- Paderborn University, Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Kerstin Göpfrich
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Biophysical Engineering Group, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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27
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Li DY, Zhou ZH, Yu YL, Deng NN. Microfluidic construction of cytoskeleton-like hydrogel matrix for stabilizing artificial cells. Chem Eng Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2022.118186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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28
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Remodeling of the Plasma Membrane by Surface-Bound Protein Monomers and Oligomers: The Critical Role of Intrinsically Disordered Regions. J Membr Biol 2022; 255:651-663. [PMID: 35930019 PMCID: PMC9718270 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-022-00256-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The plasma membrane (PM) of cells is a dynamic structure whose morphology and composition is in constant flux. PM morphologic changes are particularly relevant for the assembly and disassembly of signaling platforms involving surface-bound signaling proteins, as well as for many other mechanochemical processes that occur at the PM surface. Surface-bound membrane proteins (SBMP) require efficient association with the PM for their function, which is often achieved by the coordinated interactions of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) and globular domains with membrane lipids. This review focuses on the role of IDR-containing SBMPs in remodeling the composition and curvature of the PM. The ability of IDR-bearing SBMPs to remodel the Gaussian and mean curvature energies of the PM is intimately linked to their ability to sort subsets of phospholipids into nanoclusters. We therefore discuss how IDRs of many SBMPs encode lipid-binding specificity or facilitate cluster formation, both of which increase their membrane remodeling capacity, and how SBMP oligomers alter membrane shape by monolayer surface area expansion and molecular crowding.
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29
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Staufer O, Gantner G, Platzman I, Tanner K, Berger I, Spatz JP. Bottom-up assembly of viral replication cycles. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6530. [PMID: 36323671 PMCID: PMC9628313 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33661-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Bottom-up synthetic biology provides new means to understand living matter by constructing minimal life-like systems. This principle can also be applied to study infectious diseases. Here we summarize approaches and ethical considerations for the bottom-up assembly of viral replication cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Staufer
- Max Planck-Bristol Center for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, 1 Tankard's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7FY, UK.
- Max Planck School Matter to Life, Jahnstraße 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Gösta Gantner
- Max Planck School Matter to Life, Jahnstraße 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Theological Seminary, Heidelberg University, Kisselgasse 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ilia Platzman
- Max Planck-Bristol Center for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, 1 Tankard's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
- Department for Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM), University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Tanner
- Max Planck School Matter to Life, Jahnstraße 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Theological Seminary, Heidelberg University, Kisselgasse 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Imre Berger
- Max Planck-Bristol Center for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, 1 Tankard's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
- School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, University of Bristol, 1 Tankard's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
- Bristol Synthetic Biology Centre BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, 4 Tyndall Ave, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Joachim P Spatz
- Max Planck-Bristol Center for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, 1 Tankard's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
- Max Planck School Matter to Life, Jahnstraße 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department for Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM), University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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30
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Jiang W, Wu Z, Gao Z, Wan M, Zhou M, Mao C, Shen J. Artificial Cells: Past, Present and Future. ACS NANO 2022; 16:15705-15733. [PMID: 36226996 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Artificial cells are constructed to imitate natural cells and allow researchers to explore biological process and the origin of life. The construction methods for artificial cells, through both top-down or bottom-up approaches, have achieved great progress over the past decades. Here we present a comprehensive overview on the development of artificial cells and their properties and applications. Artificial cells are derived from lipids, polymers, lipid/polymer hybrids, natural cell membranes, colloidosome, metal-organic frameworks and coacervates. They can be endowed with various functions through the incorporation of proteins and genes on the cell surface or encapsulated inside of the cells. These modulations determine the properties of artificial cells, including producing energy, cell growth, morphology change, division, transmembrane transport, environmental response, motility and chemotaxis. Multiple applications of these artificial cells are discussed here with a focus on therapeutic applications. Artificial cells are used as carriers for materials and information exchange and have been shown to function as targeted delivery systems of personalized drugs. Additionally, artificial cells can function to substitute for cells with impaired function. Enzyme therapy and immunotherapy using artificial cells have been an intense focus of research. Finally, prospects of future development of cell-mimic properties and broader applications are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Jiang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Ziyu Wu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zheng Gao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Mimi Wan
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Chun Mao
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jian Shen
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
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31
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Slootbeek AD, van Haren MHI, Smokers IBA, Spruijt E. Growth, replication and division enable evolution of coacervate protocells. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:11183-11200. [PMID: 36128910 PMCID: PMC9536485 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc03541c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Living and proliferating cells undergo repeated cycles of growth, replication and division, all orchestrated by complex molecular networks. How a minimal cell cycle emerged and helped primitive cells to evolve remains one of the biggest mysteries in modern science, and is an active area of research in chemistry. Protocells are cell-like compartments that recapitulate features of living cells and may be seen as the chemical ancestors of modern life. While compartmentalization is not strictly required for primitive, open-ended evolution of self-replicating systems, it gives such systems a clear identity by setting the boundaries and it can help them overcome three major obstacles of dilution, parasitism and compatibility. Compartmentalization is therefore widely considered to be a central hallmark of primitive life, and various types of protocells are actively investigated, with the ultimate goal of developing a protocell capable of autonomous proliferation by mimicking the well-known cell cycle of growth, replication and division. We and others have found that coacervates are promising protocell candidates in which chemical building blocks required for life are naturally concentrated, and chemical reactions can be selectively enhanced or suppressed. This feature article provides an overview of how growth, replication and division can be realized with coacervates as protocells and what the bottlenecks are. Considerations are given for designing chemical networks in coacervates that can lead to sustained growth, selective replication and controlled division, in a way that they are linked together like in the cell cycle. Ultimately, such a system may undergo evolution by natural selection of certain phenotypes, leading to adaptation and the gain of new functions, and we end with a brief discussion of the opportunities for coacervates to facilitate this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemiek D Slootbeek
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Merlijn H I van Haren
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Iris B A Smokers
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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32
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Paez-Perez M, Russell IA, Cicuta P, Di Michele L. Modulating membrane fusion through the design of fusogenic DNA circuits and bilayer composition. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:7035-7044. [PMID: 36000473 PMCID: PMC9516350 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00863g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Membrane fusion is a ubiquitous phenomenon linked to many biological processes, and represents a crucial step in liposome-based drug delivery strategies. The ability to control, ever more precisely, membrane fusion pathways would thus be highly valuable for next generation nano-medical solutions and, more generally, the design of advanced biomimetic systems such as synthetic cells. In this article, we present fusogenic nanostructures constructed from synthetic DNA which, different from previous solutions, unlock routes for modulating the rate of fusion and making it conditional to the presence of soluble DNA molecules, thus demonstrating how membrane fusion can be controlled through simple DNA-based molecular circuits. We then systematically explore the relationship between lipid-membrane composition, its biophysical properties, and measured fusion efficiency, linking our observations to the stability of transition states in the fusion pathway. Finally, we observe that specific lipid compositions lead to the emergence of complex bilayer architectures in the fusion products, such as nested morphologies, which are accompanied by alterations in biophysical behaviour. Our findings provide multiple, orthogonal strategies to program lipid-membrane fusion, which leverage the design of either the fusogenic DNA constructs or the physico/chemical properties of the membranes, and could thus be valuable in applications where some design parameters are constrained by other factors such as material cost and biocompatibility, as it is often the case in biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Paez-Perez
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
- fabriCELL, Imperial College London, Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - I Alasdair Russell
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.
| | - Lorenzo Di Michele
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
- fabriCELL, Imperial College London, Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.
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33
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de Souza Melchiors M, Ivanov T, Harley I, Sayer C, Araújo PHH, Caire da Silva L, Ferguson CTJ, Landfester K. Membrane Manipulation of Giant Unilamellar Polymer Vesicles with a Temperature-Responsive Polymer. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202207998. [PMID: 35929609 PMCID: PMC9804479 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202207998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the complex behavior and dynamics of cellular membranes is integral to gain insight into cellular division and fusion processes. Bottom-up synthetic cells are as a platform for replicating and probing cellular behavior. Giant polymer vesicles are more robust than liposomal counterparts, as well as having a broad range of chemical functionalities. However, the stability of the membrane can prohibit dynamic processes such as membrane phase separation and division. Here, we present a method for manipulating the membrane of giant polymersomes using a temperature responsive polymer. Upon elevation of temperature deformation and phase separation of the membrane was observed. Upon cooling, the membrane relaxed and became homogeneous again, with infrequent division of the synthetic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina de Souza Melchiors
- Department of Physical Chemistry of PolymersMax Planck Institute for Polymer ResearchAckermannweg 1055128MainzGermany,Department of Chemical Engineering and Food EngineeringFederal University of Santa CatarinaP.O. Box 47688040-900Florianópolis-SCBrazil
| | - Tsvetomir Ivanov
- Department of Physical Chemistry of PolymersMax Planck Institute for Polymer ResearchAckermannweg 1055128MainzGermany
| | - Iain Harley
- Department of Physical Chemistry of PolymersMax Planck Institute for Polymer ResearchAckermannweg 1055128MainzGermany
| | - Claudia Sayer
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food EngineeringFederal University of Santa CatarinaP.O. Box 47688040-900Florianópolis-SCBrazil
| | - Pedro H. H. Araújo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food EngineeringFederal University of Santa CatarinaP.O. Box 47688040-900Florianópolis-SCBrazil
| | - Lucas Caire da Silva
- Department of Physical Chemistry of PolymersMax Planck Institute for Polymer ResearchAckermannweg 1055128MainzGermany
| | - Calum T. J. Ferguson
- Department of Physical Chemistry of PolymersMax Planck Institute for Polymer ResearchAckermannweg 1055128MainzGermany,School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Katharina Landfester
- Department of Physical Chemistry of PolymersMax Planck Institute for Polymer ResearchAckermannweg 1055128MainzGermany
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34
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Ganar KA, Leijten L, Deshpande S. Actinosomes: Condensate-Templated Containers for Engineering Synthetic Cells. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:2869-2879. [PMID: 35948429 PMCID: PMC9396703 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Engineering synthetic cells has a broad appeal, from
understanding
living cells to designing novel biomaterials for therapeutics, biosensing,
and hybrid interfaces. A key prerequisite to creating synthetic cells
is a three-dimensional container capable of orchestrating biochemical
reactions. In this study, we present an easy and effective technique
to make cell-sized porous containers, coined actinosomes, using the
interactions between biomolecular condensates and the actin cytoskeleton.
This approach uses polypeptide/nucleoside triphosphate condensates
and localizes actin monomers on their surface. By triggering actin
polymerization and using osmotic gradients, the condensates are transformed
into containers, with the boundary made up of actin filaments and
polylysine polymers. We show that the guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-to-adenosine
triphosphate (ATP) ratio is a crucial parameter for forming actinosomes:
insufficient ATP prevents condensate dissolution, while excess ATP
leads to undesired crumpling. Permeability studies reveal the porous
surface of actinosomes, allowing small molecules to pass through while
restricting bigger macromolecules within the interior. We show the
functionality of actinosomes as bioreactors by carrying out in vitro protein translation within them. Actinosomes are
a handy addition to the synthetic cell platform, with appealing properties
like ease of production, inherent encapsulation capacity, and a potentially
active surface to trigger signaling cascades and form multicellular
assemblies, conceivably useful for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketan A Ganar
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Liza Leijten
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Siddharth Deshpande
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
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35
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de Souza Melchiors M, Ivanov T, Harley I, Sayer C, Henrique Hermes de Araújo P, Caire da Silva L, Ferguson C, Landfester K. Membrane manipulation of giant unilamellar polymer vesicles with a temperature‐responsive polymer. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202207998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tsvetomir Ivanov
- Max-Planck-Institut fur Polymerforschung Physical Chemistry of Polymers GERMANY
| | - Iain Harley
- Max-Planck-Institut fur Polymerforschung Physical Chemistry of Polymers GERMANY
| | - Claudia Sayer
- Federal University of Santa Catarina: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering BRAZIL
| | | | - Lucas Caire da Silva
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research Physical Chemistry of Polymers Ackermannweg 10 55128 Mainz GERMANY
| | - Calum Ferguson
- Max-Planck-Institut fur Polymerforschung Physical Chemistry of Polymers GERMANY
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36
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Frey F, Idema T. Membrane area gain and loss during cytokinesis. Phys Rev E 2022; 106:024401. [PMID: 36110005 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.106.024401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In cytokinesis of animal cells, the cell is symmetrically divided into two. Since the cell's volume is conserved, the projected area has to increase to allow for the change of shape. Here we aim to predict how membrane gain and loss adapt during cytokinesis. We work with a kinetic model in which membrane turnover depends on membrane tension and cell shape. We apply this model to a series of calculated vesicle shapes as a proxy for the shape of dividing cells. We find that the ratio of kinetic turnover parameters changes nonmonotonically with cell shape, determined by the dependence of exocytosis and endocytosis on membrane curvature. Our results imply that controlling membrane turnover will be crucial for the successful division of artificial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Frey
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Timon Idema
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
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37
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Gözen I, Köksal ES, Põldsalu I, Xue L, Spustova K, Pedrueza-Villalmanzo E, Ryskulov R, Meng F, Jesorka A. Protocells: Milestones and Recent Advances. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2106624. [PMID: 35322554 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202106624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The origin of life is still one of humankind's great mysteries. At the transition between nonliving and living matter, protocells, initially featureless aggregates of abiotic matter, gain the structure and functions necessary to fulfill the criteria of life. Research addressing protocells as a central element in this transition is diverse and increasingly interdisciplinary. The authors review current protocell concepts and research directions, address milestones, challenges and existing hypotheses in the context of conditions on the early Earth, and provide a concise overview of current protocell research methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irep Gözen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Elif Senem Köksal
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Inga Põldsalu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Lin Xue
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Karolina Spustova
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Esteban Pedrueza-Villalmanzo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
- Department of Physics, University of Gothenburg, Universitetsplatsen 1, Gothenburg, 40530, Sweden
| | - Ruslan Ryskulov
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
| | - Fanda Meng
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
- School of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Aldo Jesorka
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
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38
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Lipowsky R. Multispherical shapes of vesicles highlight the curvature elasticity of biomembranes. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 301:102613. [PMID: 35228127 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2022.102613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Giant lipid vesicles form unusual multispherical or "multi-balloon" shapes consisting of several spheres that are connected by membrane necks. Such multispherical shapes have been recently observed when the two sides of the membranes were exposed to different sugar solutions. This sugar asymmetry induced a spontaneous curvature, the sign of which could be reversed by swapping the interior with the exterior solution. Here, previous studies of multispherical shapes are reviewed and extended to develop a comprehensive theory for these shapes. Each multisphere consists of large and small spheres, characterized by two radii, the large-sphere radius, Rl, and the small-sphere radius, Rs. For positive spontaneous curvature, the multisphere can be built up from variable numbers Nl and Ns of large and small spheres. In addition, multispheres consisting of N*=Nl+Ns equally sized spheres are also possible and provide examples for constant-mean-curvature surfaces. For negative spontaneous curvature, all multispheres consist of one large sphere that encloses a variable number Ns of small spheres. These general features of multispheres arise from two basic properties of curvature elasticity: the local shape equation for spherical membrane segments and the stability conditions for closed membrane necks. In addition, the (Nl+Ns)-multispheres can form several (Nl+Ns)-patterns that differ in the way, in which the spheres are mutually connected. These patterns may involve multispherical junctions consisting of individual spheres that are connected to more than two neighboring spheres. The geometry of the multispheres is governed by two polynomial equations which imply that (Nl+Ns)-multispheres can only be formed within a certain restricted range of vesicle volumes. Each (Nl+Ns)-pattern can be characterized by a certain stability regime that depends both on the stability of the closed necks and on the multispherical geometry. Interesting and challenging topics for future studies include the response of multispheres to locally applied external forces, membrane fusion between spheres to create multispherical shapes of higher-genus topology, and the enlarged morphological complexity of multispheres arising from lipid phase separation and intramembrane domains.
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39
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Abele T, Messer T, Jahnke K, Hippler M, Bastmeyer M, Wegener M, Göpfrich K. Two-Photon 3D Laser Printing Inside Synthetic Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2106709. [PMID: 34800321 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202106709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Toward the ambitious goal of manufacturing synthetic cells from the bottom up, various cellular components have already been reconstituted inside lipid vesicles. However, the deterministic positioning of these components inside the compartment has remained elusive. Here, by using two-photon 3D laser printing, 2D and 3D hydrogel architectures are manufactured with high precision and nearly arbitrary shape inside preformed giant unilamellar lipid vesicles (GUVs). The required water-soluble photoresist is brought into the GUVs by diffusion in a single mixing step. Crucially, femtosecond two-photon printing inside the compartment does not destroy the GUVs. Beyond this proof-of-principle demonstration, early functional architectures are realized. In particular, a transmembrane structure acting as a pore is 3D printed, thereby allowing for the transport of biological cargo, including DNA, into the synthetic compartment. These experiments show that two-photon 3D laser microprinting can be an important addition to the existing toolbox of synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Abele
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tobias Messer
- Institute of Applied Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Wolfgang-Gaede-Str. 1, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Kevin Jahnke
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc Hippler
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Fritz-Haber-Weg 4, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Martin Bastmeyer
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Fritz-Haber-Weg 4, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute for Biological and Chemical Systems - Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Martin Wegener
- Institute of Applied Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Wolfgang-Gaede-Str. 1, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Göpfrich
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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40
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Lussier F, Schröter M, Diercks NJ, Jahnke K, Weber C, Frey C, Platzman I, Spatz JP. pH-Triggered Assembly of Endomembrane Multicompartments in Synthetic Cells. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:366-382. [PMID: 34889607 PMCID: PMC8787813 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
By using electrostatic interactions as driving force to assemble vesicles, the droplet-stabilized method was recently applied to reconstitute and encapsulate proteins, or compartments, inside giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) to act as minimal synthetic cells. However, the droplet-stabilized approach exhibits low production efficiency associated with the troublesome release of the GUVs from the stabilized droplets, corresponding to a major hurdle for the droplet-stabilized approach. Herein, we report the use of pH as a potential trigger to self-assemble droplet-stabilized GUVs (dsGUVs) by either bulk or droplet-based microfluidics. Moreover, pH enables the generation of compartmentalized GUVs with flexibility and robustness. By co-encapsulating pH-sensitive small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), negatively charged SUVs, and/or proteins, we show that acidification of the droplets efficiently produces dsGUVs while sequestrating the co-encapsulated material. Most importantly, the pH-mediated assembly of dsGUVs significantly improves the production efficiency of free-standing GUVs (i.e., released from the stabilizing-droplets) compared to its previous implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix Lussier
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Schröter
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nicolas J. Diercks
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kevin Jahnke
- Biophysical
Engineering Group, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Weber
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Frey
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ilia Platzman
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim P. Spatz
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Max
Planck School Matter to Life, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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41
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Liu X, Stenhammar J, Wennerström H, Sparr E. Vesicles Balance Osmotic Stress with Bending Energy That Can Be Released to Form Daughter Vesicles. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:498-507. [PMID: 35005979 PMCID: PMC8785185 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c03369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The bending energy of the lipid membrane is central to biological processes involving vesicles, such as endocytosis and exocytosis. To illustrate the role of bending energy in these processes, we study the response of single-component giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) subjected to external osmotic stress by glucose addition. For osmotic pressures exceeding 0.15 atm, an abrupt shape change from spherical to prolate occurs, showing that the osmotic pressure is balanced by the free energy of membrane bending. After equilibration, the external glucose solution was exchanged for pure water, yielding rapid formation of monodisperse daughter vesicles inside the GUVs through an endocytosis-like process. Our theoretical analysis shows that this process requires significant free energies stored in the deformed membrane to be kinetically allowed. The results indicate that bending energies stored in GUVs are much higher than previously implicated, with potential consequences for vesicle fusion/fission and the osmotic regulation in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Liu
- Physical Chemistry, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | - Emma Sparr
- Physical Chemistry, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
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42
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Smith JM, Chowdhry R, Booth MJ. Controlling Synthetic Cell-Cell Communication. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 8:809945. [PMID: 35071327 PMCID: PMC8766733 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.809945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cells, which mimic cellular function within a minimal compartment, are finding wide application, for instance in studying cellular communication and as delivery devices to living cells. However, to fully realise the potential of synthetic cells, control of their function is vital. An array of tools has already been developed to control the communication of synthetic cells to neighbouring synthetic cells or living cells. These tools use either chemical inputs, such as small molecules, or physical inputs, such as light. Here, we examine these current methods of controlling synthetic cell communication and consider alternative mechanisms for future use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael J. Booth
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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43
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Staufer O, De Lora JA, Bailoni E, Bazrafshan A, Benk AS, Jahnke K, Manzer ZA, Otrin L, Díez Pérez T, Sharon J, Steinkühler J, Adamala KP, Jacobson B, Dogterom M, Göpfrich K, Stefanovic D, Atlas SR, Grunze M, Lakin MR, Shreve AP, Spatz JP, López GP. Building a community to engineer synthetic cells and organelles from the bottom-up. eLife 2021; 10:e73556. [PMID: 34927583 PMCID: PMC8716100 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Employing concepts from physics, chemistry and bioengineering, 'learning-by-building' approaches are becoming increasingly popular in the life sciences, especially with researchers who are attempting to engineer cellular life from scratch. The SynCell2020/21 conference brought together researchers from different disciplines to highlight progress in this field, including areas where synthetic cells are having socioeconomic and technological impact. Conference participants also identified the challenges involved in designing, manipulating and creating synthetic cells with hierarchical organization and function. A key conclusion is the need to build an international and interdisciplinary research community through enhanced communication, resource-sharing, and educational initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Staufer
- Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchHeidelbergGermany
- Max Planck School Matter to LifeHeidelbergGermany
- Max Planck Bristol Center for Minimal Biology, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Amelie S Benk
- Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchHeidelbergGermany
| | - Kevin Jahnke
- Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchHeidelbergGermany
| | | | - Lado Otrin
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical SystemsMagdeburgGermany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kerstin Göpfrich
- Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchHeidelbergGermany
- Max Planck School Matter to LifeHeidelbergGermany
| | | | | | - Michael Grunze
- Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchHeidelbergGermany
- Max Planck School Matter to LifeHeidelbergGermany
| | | | | | - Joachim P Spatz
- Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchHeidelbergGermany
- Max Planck School Matter to LifeHeidelbergGermany
- Max Planck Bristol Center for Minimal Biology, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
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44
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Wang C, Yang J, Lu Y. Modularize and Unite: Toward Creating a Functional Artificial Cell. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:781986. [PMID: 34912849 PMCID: PMC8667554 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.781986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
An artificial cell is a simplified model of a living system, bringing breakthroughs into both basic life science and applied research. The bottom-up strategy instructs the construction of an artificial cell from nonliving materials, which could be complicated and interdisciplinary considering the inherent complexity of living cells. Although significant progress has been achieved in the past 2 decades, the area is still facing some problems, such as poor compatibility with complex bio-systems, instability, and low standardization of the construction method. In this review, we propose creating artificial cells through the integration of different functional modules. Furthermore, we divide the function requirements of an artificial cell into four essential parts (metabolism, energy supplement, proliferation, and communication) and discuss the present researches. Then we propose that the compartment and the reestablishment of the communication system would be essential for the reasonable integration of functional modules. Although enormous challenges remain, the modular construction would facilitate the simplification and standardization of an artificial cell toward a natural living system. This function-based strategy would also broaden the application of artificial cells and represent the steps of imitating and surpassing nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Junzhu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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45
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Lipowsky R. Remodeling of Membrane Shape and Topology by Curvature Elasticity and Membrane Tension. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 6:e2101020. [PMID: 34859961 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202101020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cellular membranes exhibit a fascinating variety of different morphologies, which are continuously remodeled by transformations of membrane shape and topology. This remodeling is essential for important biological processes (cell division, intracellular vesicle trafficking, endocytosis) and can be elucidated in a systematic and quantitative manner using synthetic membrane systems. Here, recent insights obtained from such synthetic systems are reviewed, integrating experimental observations and molecular dynamics simulations with the theory of membrane elasticity. The study starts from the polymorphism of biomembranes as observed for giant vesicles by optical microscopy and small nanovesicles in simulations. This polymorphism reflects the unusual elasticity of fluid membranes and includes the formation of membrane necks or fluid 'worm holes'. The proliferation of membrane necks generates stable multi-spherical shapes, which can form tubules and tubular junctions. Membrane necks are also essential for the remodeling of membrane topology via membrane fission and fusion. Neck fission can be induced by fine-tuning of membrane curvature, which leads to the controlled division of giant vesicles, and by adhesion-induced membrane tension as observed for small nanovesicles. Challenges for future research include the interplay of curvature elasticity and membrane tension during membrane fusion and the localization of fission and fusion processes within intramembrane domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Lipowsky
- Theory & Biosystems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, Potsdam, Germany
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46
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Morzy D, Joshi H, Sandler SE, Aksimentiev A, Keyser UF. Membrane Activity of a DNA-Based Ion Channel Depends on the Stability of Its Double-Stranded Structure. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:9789-9796. [PMID: 34767378 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c03791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
DNA nanotechnology has emerged as a promising method for designing spontaneously inserting and fully controllable synthetic ion channels. However, both insertion efficiency and stability of existing DNA-based membrane channels leave much room for improvement. Here, we demonstrate an approach to overcoming the unfavorable DNA-lipid interactions that hinder the formation of a stable transmembrane pore. Our all-atom MD simulations and experiments show that the insertion-driving cholesterol modifications can cause fraying of terminal base pairs of nicked DNA constructs, distorting them when embedded in a lipid bilayer. Importantly, we show that DNA nanostructures with no backbone discontinuities form more stable conductive pores and insert into membranes with a higher efficiency than the equivalent nicked constructs. Moreover, lack of nicks allows design and maintenance of membrane-spanning helices in a tilted orientation within the lipid bilayer. Thus, reducing the conformational degrees of freedom of the DNA nanostructures enables better control over their function as synthetic ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Morzy
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Himanshu Joshi
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1110 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Sarah E Sandler
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Aleksei Aksimentiev
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1110 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 405 North Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Ulrich F Keyser
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
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47
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Zheng Y, Wu Z, Lin L, Zheng X, Hou Y, Lin JM. Microfluidic droplet-based functional materials for cell manipulation. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:4311-4329. [PMID: 34668510 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00618e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Functional materials from the microfluidic-based droplet community are emerging as enabling tools for various applications in tissue engineering and cell biology. The innovative micro- and nano-scale materials with diverse sizes, shapes and components can be fabricated without the use of complicated devices, allowing unprecedented control over the cells that interact with them. Here, we review the current development of microfluidic-based droplet techniques for creation of functional materials (i.e., liquid droplet, microcapsule, and microparticle). We also describe their various applications for manipulating cell fate and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Zheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Zengnan Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Ling Lin
- Department of Bioengineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, China.
| | - Xiaonan Zheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Ying Hou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Jin-Ming Lin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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48
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Dreher Y, Jahnke K, Schröter M, Göpfrich K. Light-Triggered Cargo Loading and Division of DNA-Containing Giant Unilamellar Lipid Vesicles. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:5952-5957. [PMID: 34251204 PMCID: PMC8323123 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c00822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A minimal synthetic cell should contain a substrate for information storage and have the capability to divide. Notable efforts were made to assemble functional synthetic cells from the bottom up, however often lacking the capability to reproduce. Here, we develop a mechanism to fully control reversible cargo loading and division of DNA-containing giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) with light. We make use of the photosensitizer Chlorin e6 (Ce6) which self-assembles into lipid bilayers and leads to local lipid peroxidation upon illumination. On the time scale of minutes, illumination induces the formation of transient pores, which we exploit for cargo encapsulation or controlled release. In combination with osmosis, complete division of two daughter GUVs can be triggered within seconds of illumination due to a spontaneous curvature increase. We ultimately demonstrate the division of a selected DNA-containing GUV with full spatiotemporal control-proving the relevance of the division mechanism for bottom-up synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannik Dreher
- Max
Planck Institute for Medical Research, Biophysical Engineering Group, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kevin Jahnke
- Max
Planck Institute for Medical Research, Biophysical Engineering Group, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Schröter
- Max
Planck Institute for Medical Research, Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Göpfrich
- Max
Planck Institute for Medical Research, Biophysical Engineering Group, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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49
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Olivi L, Berger M, Creyghton RNP, De Franceschi N, Dekker C, Mulder BM, Claassens NJ, Ten Wolde PR, van der Oost J. Towards a synthetic cell cycle. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4531. [PMID: 34312383 PMCID: PMC8313558 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24772-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent developments in synthetic biology may bring the bottom-up generation of a synthetic cell within reach. A key feature of a living synthetic cell is a functional cell cycle, in which DNA replication and segregation as well as cell growth and division are well integrated. Here, we describe different approaches to recreate these processes in a synthetic cell, based on natural systems and/or synthetic alternatives. Although some individual machineries have recently been established, their integration and control in a synthetic cell cycle remain to be addressed. In this Perspective, we discuss potential paths towards an integrated synthetic cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Olivi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Nicola De Franceschi
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Cees Dekker
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nico J Claassens
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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50
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Effect of the Membrane Composition of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles on Their Budding Probability: A Trade-Off between Elasticity and Preferred Area Difference. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11070634. [PMID: 34209903 PMCID: PMC8306738 DOI: 10.3390/life11070634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The budding and division of artificial cells engineered from vesicles and droplets have gained much attention in the past few decades due to an increased interest in designing stimuli-responsive synthetic systems. Proper control of the division process is one of the main challenges in the field of synthetic biology and, especially in the context of the origin of life studies, it would be helpful to look for the simplest chemical and physical processes likely at play in prebiotic conditions. Here we show that pH-sensitive giant unilamellar vesicles composed of mixed phospholipid/fatty acid membranes undergo a budding process, internally fuelled by the urea–urease enzymatic reaction, only for a given range of the membrane composition. A gentle interplay between the effects of the membrane composition on the elasticity and the preferred area difference of the bilayer is responsible for the existence of a narrow range of membrane composition yielding a high probability for budding of the vesicles.
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