1
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Späth F, Soria-Carrera H, Stasi M, Sastre J, Kriebisch BAK, Boekhoven J. Fuel-Driven Dynamic Combinatorial Peptide Libraries. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202407424. [PMID: 39073290 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202407424] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC) creates libraries of molecules that are constantly interchanging in a dynamic combinatorial library. When a library member self-assembles, it can displace the equilibria, leading to emergent phenomena like its selection or even its replication. However, such dynamic combinatorial libraries typically operate in or close to equilibrium. This work introduces a new dynamic combinatorial chemistry fueled by a catalytic reaction cycle that forms transient, out-of-equilibrium peptide-based macrocycles. The products in this library exist out of equilibrium at the expense of fuel and are thus regulated by kinetics and thermodynamics. By creating a chemically fueled dynamic combinatorial library with the vast structural space of amino acids, we explored the liquid-liquid phase separation behavior of the library members. The study advances DCCs by showing that peptide structures can be engineered to control the dynamic library's behavior. The work paves the way for creating novel, tunable material systems that exhibit emergent behavior reminiscent of biological systems. These findings have implications for the development of new materials and for understanding life's chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Späth
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Héctor Soria-Carrera
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Michele Stasi
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Judit Sastre
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Brigitte A K Kriebisch
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Job Boekhoven
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
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2
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Singh A, Parvin P, Saha B, Das D. Non-equilibrium self-assembly for living matter-like properties. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:723-740. [PMID: 39179623 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-024-00640-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
The soft and wet machines of life emerged as the spatially enclosed ensemble of biomolecules with replicating capabilities integrated with metabolic reaction cycles that operate at far-from-equilibrium. A thorough step-by-step synthetic integration of these elements, namely metabolic and replicative properties all confined and operating far-from-equilibrium, can set the stage from which we can ask questions related to the construction of chemical-based evolving systems with living matter-like properties - a monumental endeavour of systems chemistry. The overarching concept of this Review maps the discoveries on this possible integration of reaction networks, self-reproduction and compartmentalization under non-equilibrium conditions. We deconvolute the events of reaction networks and transient compartmentalization and extend the discussion towards self-reproducing systems that can be sustained under non-equilibrium conditions. Although enormous challenges lie ahead in terms of molecular diversity, information transfer, adaptation and selection that are required for open-ended evolution, emerging strategies to generate minimal metabolic cycles can extend our growing understanding of the chemical emergence of the biosphere of Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Singh
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India
- Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India
| | - Payel Parvin
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India
- Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India
| | - Bapan Saha
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India
- Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India
| | - Dibyendu Das
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India.
- Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India.
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3
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van Kesteren S, Diethelm P, Jung SH, Isa L. DNA-Based Replication of Programmable Colloidal Assemblies. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2400180. [PMID: 38693098 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400180] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Nature uses replication to amplify the information necessary for the intricate structures vital for life. Despite some successes with pure nucleotide structures, constructing synthetic microscale systems capable of replication remains largely out of reach. Here, a functioning strategy is shown for the replication of microscale particle assemblies using DNA-coated colloids. By positioning DNA-functionalized colloids using capillary forces and embedding them into a polymer layer, programmable sequences of patchy particles are created that act as a primer and offer precise binding of complementary particles from suspension. The strings of complementary colloids are cross-linked, released from the primer, and purified via flow cytometric sorting to achieve a purity of up to 81% of the replicated sequences. The replication of strings of up to five colloids and non-linear shapes is demonstrated with particles of different sizes and materials. Furthermore, a pathway for exponential self-replication is outlined, including preliminary data that shows the transfer of patches and binding of a second-generation of assemblies from suspension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven van Kesteren
- Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Diethelm
- Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Se-Hyeong Jung
- Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Lucio Isa
- Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
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4
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Wu H, Chen QX, Su Y, Chen Z. The Role of Hydrogen Bonds in Thermally Responsive Crystallization-Driven Template Autocatalysis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202404838. [PMID: 38654551 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202404838] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Autocatalysis has been recognized to be involved in the emergence of life and intrinsic to biomolecular replication. Recently, an efficient template autocatalysis driven by solvent-free crystallization has been reported. Herein, we unveil the role of intermolecular hydrogen bonds formed by amides in crystallization-driven template autocatalysis (CDTA), which involves the autocatalytic activity, template selectivity, and thermal responsiveness. We found that the thermal-induced cis-trans isomerization of amides possibly affects the H-bonding-mediated template ability of products for autocatalytic transformation. As a result, CDTA can be reversibly inhibited and activated by tuning the reaction temperatures. Our work sheds light on the significance of noncovalent H-bonding interactions in artificial self-replicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Wu
- Institute of Materials Research, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Qing-Xuan Chen
- Institute of Materials Research, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yang Su
- Institute of Materials Research, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Institute of Materials Research, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
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5
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Borsley S, Leigh DA, Roberts BMW. Molecular Ratchets and Kinetic Asymmetry: Giving Chemistry Direction. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400495. [PMID: 38568047 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Over the last two decades ratchet mechanisms have transformed the understanding and design of stochastic molecular systems-biological, chemical and physical-in a move away from the mechanical macroscopic analogies that dominated thinking regarding molecular dynamics in the 1990s and early 2000s (e.g. pistons, springs, etc), to the more scale-relevant concepts that underpin out-of-equilibrium research in the molecular sciences today. Ratcheting has established molecular nanotechnology as a research frontier for energy transduction and metabolism, and has enabled the reverse engineering of biomolecular machinery, delivering insights into how molecules 'walk' and track-based synthesisers operate, how the acceleration of chemical reactions enables energy to be transduced by catalysts (both motor proteins and synthetic catalysts), and how dynamic systems can be driven away from equilibrium through catalysis. The recognition of molecular ratchet mechanisms in biology, and their invention in synthetic systems, is proving significant in areas as diverse as supramolecular chemistry, systems chemistry, dynamic covalent chemistry, DNA nanotechnology, polymer and materials science, molecular biology, heterogeneous catalysis, endergonic synthesis, the origin of life, and many other branches of chemical science. Put simply, ratchet mechanisms give chemistry direction. Kinetic asymmetry, the key feature of ratcheting, is the dynamic counterpart of structural asymmetry (i.e. chirality). Given the ubiquity of ratchet mechanisms in endergonic chemical processes in biology, and their significance for behaviour and function from systems to synthesis, it is surely just as fundamentally important. This Review charts the recognition, invention and development of molecular ratchets, focussing particularly on the role for which they were originally envisaged in chemistry, as design elements for molecular machinery. Different kinetically asymmetric systems are compared, and the consequences of their dynamic behaviour discussed. These archetypal examples demonstrate how chemical systems can be driven inexorably away from equilibrium, rather than relax towards it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Borsley
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David A Leigh
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin M W Roberts
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
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6
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Tower J. Selectively advantageous instability in biotic and pre-biotic systems and implications for evolution and aging. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2024; 5:1376060. [PMID: 38818026 PMCID: PMC11137231 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2024.1376060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Rules of biology typically involve conservation of resources. For example, common patterns such as hexagons and logarithmic spirals require minimal materials, and scaling laws involve conservation of energy. Here a relationship with the opposite theme is discussed, which is the selectively advantageous instability (SAI) of one or more components of a replicating system, such as the cell. By increasing the complexity of the system, SAI can have benefits in addition to the generation of energy or the mobilization of building blocks. SAI involves a potential cost to the replicating system for the materials and/or energy required to create the unstable component, and in some cases, the energy required for its active degradation. SAI is well-studied in cells. Short-lived transcription and signaling factors enable a rapid response to a changing environment, and turnover is critical for replacement of damaged macromolecules. The minimal gene set for a viable cell includes proteases and a nuclease, suggesting SAI is essential for life. SAI promotes genetic diversity in several ways. Toxin/antitoxin systems promote maintenance of genes, and SAI of mitochondria facilitates uniparental transmission. By creating two distinct states, subject to different selective pressures, SAI can maintain genetic diversity. SAI of components of synthetic replicators favors replicator cycling, promoting emergence of replicators with increased complexity. Both classical and recent computer modeling of replicators reveals SAI. SAI may be involved at additional levels of biological organization. In summary, SAI promotes replicator genetic diversity and reproductive fitness, and may promote aging through loss of resources and maintenance of deleterious alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Tower
- Molecular and Computational Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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7
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Nogal N, Guisán S, Dellemme D, Surin M, de la Escosura A. Selectivity in the chiral self-assembly of nucleobase-arylazopyrazole photoswitches along DNA templates. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:3703-3709. [PMID: 38505984 DOI: 10.1039/d4tb00041b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The control of supramolecular DNA assembly through external stimuli such as light represents a promising approach to control bioreactions, and modulate hybridization or delivery processes. Here, we report on the design of nucleobase-containing arylazopyrazole photoswitches that undergo chiral organization upon self-assembly along short DNA templates. Chiroptical spectroscopy shows that the specific nucleobases allow selectivity in the resulting supramolecular DNA complexes, and UV light irradiation triggers partial desorption of the arylazopyrazole photoswitches. Molecular modeling studies reveal the differences of binding modes between the two configurations in the templated assembly. Remarkably, our results show that the photoswitching behaviour controls the self-assembly process along DNA, opening the way to potential applications as nano- and biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemí Nogal
- Departament of Organic Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain.
| | - Santiago Guisán
- Departament of Organic Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain.
| | - David Dellemme
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, Center for Innovation in Materials and Polymers, University of Mons - UMONS, 20 Place du Parc, Mons B-7000, Belgium.
| | - Mathieu Surin
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, Center for Innovation in Materials and Polymers, University of Mons - UMONS, 20 Place du Parc, Mons B-7000, Belgium.
| | - Andrés de la Escosura
- Departament of Organic Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain.
- Institute for Advanced Research in Chemistry (IAdChem), Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
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8
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Komáromy D, Monzón DM, Marić I, Monreal Santiago G, Ottelé J, Altay M, Schaeffer G, Otto S. Generalist versus Specialist Self-Replicators. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303837. [PMID: 38294075 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303837] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Darwinian evolution, including the selection of the fittest species under given environmental conditions, is a major milestone in the development of synthetic living systems. In this regard, generalist or specialist behavior (the ability to replicate in a broader or narrower, more specific food environment) are of importance. Here we demonstrate generalist and specialist behavior in dynamic combinatorial libraries composed of a peptide-based and an oligo(ethylene glycol) based building block. Three different sets of macrocyclic replicators could be distinguished based on their supramolecular organization: two prepared from a single building block as well as one prepared from an equimolar mixture of them. Peptide-containing hexamer replicators were found to be generalists, i. e. they could replicate in a broad range of food niches, whereas the octamer peptide-based replicator and hexameric ethyleneoxide-based replicator were proven to be specialists, i. e. they only replicate in very specific food niches that correspond to their composition. However, sequence specificity cannot be demonstrated for either of the generalist replicators. The generalist versus specialist nature of these replicators was linked to their supramolecular organization. Assembly modes that accommodate structurally different building blocks lead to generalist replicators, while assembly modes that are more restrictive yield specialist replicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dávid Komáromy
- University of Groningen, Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Diego M Monzón
- Instituto de Bio-Orgánica "Antonio González" (IUBO-AG), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ivana Marić
- University of Groningen, Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Guillermo Monreal Santiago
- University of Groningen, Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jim Ottelé
- University of Groningen, Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Meniz Altay
- University of Groningen, Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gaël Schaeffer
- University of Groningen, Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sijbren Otto
- University of Groningen, Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
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9
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Liu K, Blokhuis A, van Ewijk C, Kiani A, Wu J, Roos WH, Otto S. Light-driven eco-evolutionary dynamics in a synthetic replicator system. Nat Chem 2024; 16:79-88. [PMID: 37653230 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01301-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Darwinian evolution involves the inheritance and selection of variations in reproducing entities. Selection can be based on, among others, interactions with the environment. Conversely, the replicating entities can also affect their environment generating a reciprocal feedback on evolutionary dynamics. The onset of such eco-evolutionary dynamics marks a stepping stone in the transition from chemistry to biology. Yet the bottom-up creation of a molecular system that exhibits eco-evolutionary dynamics has remained elusive. Here we describe the onset of such dynamics in a minimal system containing two synthetic self-replicators. The replicators are capable of binding and activating a co-factor, enabling them to change the oxidation state of their environment through photoredox catalysis. The replicator distribution adapts to this change and, depending on light intensity, one or the other replicator becomes dominant. This study shows how behaviour analogous to eco-evolutionary dynamics-which until now has been restricted to biology-can be created using an artificial minimal replicator system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Liu
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Alex Blokhuis
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Chris van Ewijk
- Molecular Biophysics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Armin Kiani
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Juntian Wu
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter H Roos
- Molecular Biophysics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sijbren Otto
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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10
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Nogal N, Sanz-Sánchez M, Vela-Gallego S, Ruiz-Mirazo K, de la Escosura A. The protometabolic nature of prebiotic chemistry. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:7359-7388. [PMID: 37855729 PMCID: PMC10614573 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00594a] [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: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The field of prebiotic chemistry has been dedicated over decades to finding abiotic routes towards the molecular components of life. There is nowadays a handful of prebiotically plausible scenarios that enable the laboratory synthesis of most amino acids, fatty acids, simple sugars, nucleotides and core metabolites of extant living organisms. The major bottleneck then seems to be the self-organization of those building blocks into systems that can self-sustain. The purpose of this tutorial review is having a close look, guided by experimental research, into the main synthetic pathways of prebiotic chemistry, suggesting how they could be wired through common intermediates and catalytic cycles, as well as how recursively changing conditions could help them engage in self-organized and dissipative networks/assemblies (i.e., systems that consume chemical or physical energy from their environment to maintain their internal organization in a dynamic steady state out of equilibrium). In the article we also pay attention to the implications of this view for the emergence of homochirality. The revealed connectivity between those prebiotic routes should constitute the basis for a robust research program towards the bottom-up implementation of protometabolic systems, taken as a central part of the origins-of-life problem. In addition, this approach should foster further exploration of control mechanisms to tame the combinatorial explosion that typically occurs in mixtures of various reactive precursors, thus regulating the functional integration of their respective chemistries into self-sustaining protocellular assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemí Nogal
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Marcos Sanz-Sánchez
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sonia Vela-Gallego
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Kepa Ruiz-Mirazo
- Biofisika Institute (CSIC, UPV/EHU), University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
- Department of Philosophy, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
| | - Andrés de la Escosura
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
- Institute for Advanced Research in Chemistry (IAdChem), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
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11
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Howlett MG, Fletcher SP. From autocatalysis to survival of the fittest in self-reproducing lipid systems. Nat Rev Chem 2023; 7:673-691. [PMID: 37612460 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00524-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Studying autocatalysis - in which molecules catalyse their own formation - might help to explain the emergence of chemical systems that exhibit traits normally associated with biology. When coupled to other processes, autocatalysis can lead to complex systems-level behaviour in apparently simple mixtures. Lipids are an important class of chemicals that appear simple in isolation, but collectively show complex supramolecular and mesoscale dynamics. Here we discuss autocatalytic lipids as a source of extraordinary behaviour such as primitive chemical evolution, chemotaxis, temporally controllable materials and even as supramolecular catalysts for continuous synthesis. We survey the literature since the first examples of lipid autocatalysis and highlight state-of-the-art synthetic systems that emulate life, displaying behaviour such as metabolism and homeostasis, with special consideration for generating structural complexity and out-of-equilibrium models of life. Autocatalytic lipid systems have enormous potential for building complexity from simple components, and connections between physical effects and molecular reactivity are only just beginning to be discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Howlett
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephen P Fletcher
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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12
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Valentini M, Frateloreto F, Conti M, Cacciapaglia R, Del Giudice D, Di Stefano S. A Doubly Dissipative System Driven by Chemical and Radiative Stimuli. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202301835. [PMID: 37326465 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202301835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The operation of a dissipative network composed of two or three different crown-ether receptors and an alkali metal cation can be temporally driven by the use (combined or not) of two orthogonal stimuli of a different nature. More specifically, irradiation with light at a proper wavelength and/or addition of an activated carboxylic acid, are used to modulate the binding capability of the above crown-ethers towards the metal ion, allowing to control over time the occupancy of the metal cation in the crown-ether moiety of a given ligand. Thus, application of either or both of the stimuli to an initially equilibrated system, where the metal cation is distributed among the crown-ether receptors depending on the different affinities, causes a programmable change in the receptor occupancies. Consequently, the system is induced to evolve to one or more out-of-equilibrium states with different distributions of the metal cation among the different receptors. When the fuel is exhausted or/and the irradiation interrupted, the system reversibly and autonomously goes back to the initial equilibrium state. Such results may contribute to the achievement of new dissipative systems that, taking advantage of multiple and orthogonal stimuli, are featured with more sophisticated operating mechanisms and time programmability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Valentini
- Department of Chemistry, Università di Roma La Sapienza and ISB-CNR Sede Secondaria di Roma - Meccanismi di Reazione, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Federico Frateloreto
- Department of Chemistry, Università di Roma La Sapienza and ISB-CNR Sede Secondaria di Roma - Meccanismi di Reazione, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Matteo Conti
- Department of Chemistry, Università di Roma La Sapienza and ISB-CNR Sede Secondaria di Roma - Meccanismi di Reazione, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Roberta Cacciapaglia
- Department of Chemistry, Università di Roma La Sapienza and ISB-CNR Sede Secondaria di Roma - Meccanismi di Reazione, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Daniele Del Giudice
- Department of Chemistry, Università di Roma La Sapienza and ISB-CNR Sede Secondaria di Roma - Meccanismi di Reazione, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Stefano
- Department of Chemistry, Università di Roma La Sapienza and ISB-CNR Sede Secondaria di Roma - Meccanismi di Reazione, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
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13
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Bartus É, Tököli A, Mag B, Bajcsi Á, Kecskeméti G, Wéber E, Kele Z, Fenteany G, Martinek TA. Light-Fueled Primitive Replication and Selection in Biomimetic Chemical Systems. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37285516 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The concept of chemically evolvable replicators is central to abiogenesis. Chemical evolvability requires three essential components: energy-harvesting mechanisms for nonequilibrium dissipation, kinetically asymmetric replication and decomposition pathways, and structure-dependent selective templating in the autocatalytic cycles. We observed a UVA light-fueled chemical system displaying sequence-dependent replication and replicator decomposition. The system was constructed with primitive peptidic foldamer components. The photocatalytic formation-recombination cycle of thiyl radicals was coupled with the molecular recognition steps in the replication cycles. Thiyl radical-mediated chain reaction was responsible for the replicator death mechanism. The competing and kinetically asymmetric replication and decomposition processes led to light intensity-dependent selection far from equilibrium. Here, we show that this system can dynamically adapt to energy influx and seeding. The results highlight that mimicking chemical evolution is feasible with primitive building blocks and simple chemical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éva Bartus
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila Tököli
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Beáta Mag
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Áron Bajcsi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Kecskeméti
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Edit Wéber
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kele
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gabriel Fenteany
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre, Temesvári krt. 62, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás A Martinek
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
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14
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Wu B, Tong Y, Wang J, Qiu Y, Gao Y, Cohen Stuart MA, Wang J. Hierarchical self-assembly of metal-organic supramolecular fibers with lanthanide-derived functionalities. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:2579-2587. [PMID: 36946212 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00084b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Achieving organized assembly structures with high complexity and adjustable functionalities is a central quest in supramolecular chemistry. In this report, we study what happens when a discotic benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) ligand containing three dipicolinic acid (DPA) groups is allowed to coordinate with lanthanide (Ln) ions. A multi-BTA coordination cluster forms, which behaves as a type of "supramolecular monomer", stacking into fibers via hydrogen bonds enabled by multiple BTA cores. The fibrous morphology and size, as well as the packing unit and the process by which it grows, were investigated by light scattering measurements, luminescence spectra, TEM images and molecular simulation data. More notably, by selecting the kind of lanthanide or mixture of lanthanides that is incorporated, tunable luminescence and magnetic relaxation properties without compromising the fibrous structure can be realized. This case of hierarchical self-assembly is made possible by the special structure of our BTA-like building block, which makes non-covalent bond types that are different along the radial (coordination bonds) and axial (H-bonds) directions, respectively, each with just the right strength. Moreover, the use of lanthanide coordination leads to materials with metal-derived optical and magnetic properties. Therefore, the established approach demonstrates a novel strategy for designing and fabrication of multi-functional supramolecular materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohang Wu
- East China University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Meilong Road 130, 200237 Shanghai, China.
| | - Yutao Tong
- East China University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Meilong Road 130, 200237 Shanghai, China.
| | - Jiahua Wang
- East China University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Meilong Road 130, 200237 Shanghai, China.
| | - Yuening Qiu
- East China University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Meilong Road 130, 200237 Shanghai, China.
| | - Yifan Gao
- East China University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Meilong Road 130, 200237 Shanghai, China.
| | - Martien A Cohen Stuart
- East China University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Meilong Road 130, 200237 Shanghai, China.
| | - Junyou Wang
- East China University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Meilong Road 130, 200237 Shanghai, China.
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15
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Wang Y, Yan Q. CO 2 -Fueled Transient Breathing Nanogels that Couple Nonequilibrium Catalytic Polymerization. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202217001. [PMID: 36738302 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202217001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Here we present a "breathing" nanogel that is fueled by CO2 gas to perform temporally programmable catalytic polymerization. The nanogel is composed of common frustrated Lewis pair polymers (FLPs). Dynamic CO2 -FLP gas-bridging bonds endow the nanogel with a transient volume contraction, and the resulting proximal effect of bound FLPs unlocks its catalytic capacity toward CO2 . Reverse gas depletion via a CO2 -participated polymerization can induce a reverse nanogel expansion, which shuts down the catalytic activity. Control of external factors (fuel level, temperature or additives) can regulate the breathing period, amplitude and lifecycle, so as to affect the catalytic polymerization. Moreover, editing the nanogel breathing procedure can sequentially evoke the copolymerization of CO2 with different epoxide monomers preloaded therein, which allows to obtain block-tunable copolycarbonates that are unachievable by other methods. This synthetic dissipative system would be function as a prototype of gas-driven nanosynthesizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, 2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Qiang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, 2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai, 200438, China
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16
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Wu B, Lewis RW, Li G, Gao Y, Fan B, Klemm B, Huang J, Wang J, Cohen Stuart MA, Eelkema R. Chemical signal regulated injectable coacervate hydrogels. Chem Sci 2023; 14:1512-1523. [PMID: 36794201 PMCID: PMC9906648 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc06935k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In the quest for stimuli-responsive materials with specific, controllable functions, coacervate hydrogels have become a promising candidate, featuring sensitive responsiveness to environmental signals enabling control over sol-gel transitions. However, conventional coacervation-based materials are regulated by relatively non-specific signals, such as temperature, pH or salt concentration, which limits their possible applications. In this work, we constructed a coacervate hydrogel with a Michael addition-based chemical reaction network (CRN) as a platform, where the state of coacervate materials can be easily tuned by specific chemical signals. We designed a pyridine-based ABA triblock copolymer, whose quaternization can be regulated by an allyl acetate electrophile and an amine nucleophile, leading to gel construction and collapse in the presence of polyanions. Our coacervate gels showed not only highly tunable stiffness and gelation times, but excellent self-healing ability and injectability with different sized needles, and accelerated degradation resulting from chemical signal-induced coacervation disruption. This work is expected to be a first step in the realization of a new class of signal-responsive injectable materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohang Wu
- East China University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering Meilong Road 130 200237 Shanghai China.,Delft University of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering Van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands
| | - Reece W. Lewis
- Delft University of Technology, Department of Chemical EngineeringVan der Maasweg 92629 HZ DelftThe Netherlands
| | - Guotai Li
- Delft University of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering Van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands
| | - Yifan Gao
- East China University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical EngineeringMeilong Road 130200237 ShanghaiChina
| | - Bowen Fan
- Delft University of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering Van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin Klemm
- Delft University of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering Van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands
| | - Jianan Huang
- East China University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical EngineeringMeilong Road 130200237 ShanghaiChina
| | - Junyou Wang
- East China University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical EngineeringMeilong Road 130200237 ShanghaiChina
| | - Martien A. Cohen Stuart
- East China University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical EngineeringMeilong Road 130200237 ShanghaiChina
| | - Rienk Eelkema
- Delft University of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering Van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands
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17
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Ayme JF, Bruchmann B, Karmazin L, Kyritsakas N. Transient self-assembly of metal-organic complexes. Chem Sci 2023; 14:1244-1251. [PMID: 36756320 PMCID: PMC9891378 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc06374c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Implementing transient processes in networks of dynamic molecules holds great promise for developing new functional behaviours. Here we report that trichloroacetic acid can be used to temporarily rearrange networks of dynamic imine-based metal complexes towards new equilibrium states, forcing them to express complexes otherwise unfavourable in their initial equilibrium states. Basic design principles were determined for the creation of such networks. Where a complex distribution of products was obtained in the initial equilibrium state of the system, the transient rearrangement temporarily yielded a simplified output, forcing a more structured distribution of products. Where a single complex was obtained in the initial equilibrium state of the system, the transient rearrangement temporarily modified the properties of this complex. By doing so, the mechanical properties of an helical macrocyclic complex could be temporarily altered by rearranging it into a [2]catenane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Ayme
- BASF SE, Joint Research Network on Advanced Materials and Systems (JONAS) Carl-Bosch Str. 38 67056 Ludwigshafen Germany
| | - Bernd Bruchmann
- BASF SE, Joint Research Network on Advanced Materials and Systems (JONAS) Carl-Bosch Str. 38 67056 Ludwigshafen Germany
| | - Lydia Karmazin
- Service de Radiocristallographie, Fédération de chimie Le Bel FR2010, Université de Strasbourg 1 rue Blaise Pascal 67008 Strasbourg France
| | - Nathalie Kyritsakas
- Service de Radiocristallographie, Fédération de chimie Le Bel FR2010, Université de Strasbourg 1 rue Blaise Pascal 67008 Strasbourg France
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18
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Pascal R, Pross A. On the Chemical Origin of Biological Cognition. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:2016. [PMID: 36556381 PMCID: PMC9785165 DOI: 10.3390/life12122016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
One of life's most striking characteristics is its mental dimension, one whose very existence within a material system has long been a deep scientific mystery. Given the current scientific view that life emerged from non-life, how was it possible for 'dead' matter to have taken on mental capabilities? In this Perspective we describe the existence of a recently discovered non-equilibrium state of matter, an energized dynamic kinetic state, and demonstrate how particular chemical systems once activated into that kinetic state could manifest rudimentary cognitive behavior. Thus, contrary to a common view that biology is not reducible to physics and chemistry, recent findings in both chemistry and biology suggest that life's mental state is an outcome of its physical state, and therefore may be explicable in physical/chemical terms. Such understanding offers added insight into the physico-chemical process by which life was able to emerge from non-life and the perennial 'what is life?' question. Most remarkably, it appears that Darwin, through his deep understanding of the evolutionary process, already sensed the existence of a connection between life's physical and mental states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Pascal
- Laboratoire de Physique des Interactions Ioniques et Moléculaires (PIIM), Aix-Marseille Université—CNRS, 13013 Marseille, France
| | - Addy Pross
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er-Sheva 8410501, Israel
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19
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Zhang S, Zhang Y, Wu H, Li Z, Shi P, Qu H, Sun Y, Wang X, Cao X, Yang L, Tian Z. Construction of transient supramolecular polymers controlled by mass transfer in biphasic systems. Chem Sci 2022; 13:13930-13937. [PMID: 36544718 PMCID: PMC9710222 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc04548f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Inspired by life assembly systems, the construction of transient assembly systems with spatiotemporal control is crucial for developing intelligent materials. A widely adopted strategy is to couple the self-assembly with chemical reaction networks. However, orchestrating the kinetics of multiple reactions and assembly/disassembly processes without crosstalk in homogeneous solutions is not an easy task. To address this challenge, we propose a generic strategy by separating components into different phases, therefore, the evolution process of the system could be easily regulated by controlling the transport of components through different phases. Interference of multiple components that are troublesome in homogeneous systems could be diminished. Meanwhile, limited experimental parameters are involved in tuning the mass transfer instead of the complex kinetic matching and harsh reaction selectivity requirements. As a proof of concept, a transient metallo-supramolecular polymer (MSP) with dynamic luminescent color was constructed in an oil-water biphasic system by controlling the diffusion of the deactivator (water molecules) from the water phase into the oil phase. The lifetime of transient MSP could be precisely regulated not only by the content of chemical fuel, but also factors that affect the efficiency of mass transfer in between phases, such as the volume of the water phase, the stirring rate, and the temperature. We believe this strategy can be further extended to multi-compartment systems with passive diffusion or active transport of components, towards life-like complex assembly systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen UniversityXiamen 361005P. R. China
| | - Yulian Zhang
- College of Materials, Xiamen UniversityXiamen 361005P. R. China
| | - Huiting Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen UniversityXiamen 361005P. R. China
| | - Zhihao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen UniversityXiamen 361005P. R. China
| | - Peichen Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen UniversityXiamen 361005P. R. China
| | - Hang Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen UniversityXiamen 361005P. R. China
| | - Yibin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen UniversityXiamen 361005P. R. China
| | - Xinchang Wang
- School of Electronic Science and Engineering (National Model Microelectronics College), Xiamen UniversityXiamen 361005P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen UniversityXiamen 361005P. R. China
| | - Liulin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen UniversityXiamen 361005P. R. China
| | - Zhongqun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen UniversityXiamen 361005P. R. China
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20
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Zhang Y, Zhang S, Wu H, Dong X, Shi P, Qu H, Chen Y, Cao XY, Tian ZQ, Hu X, Yang L. Evolution of Transient Luminescent Assemblies Regulated by Trace Water in Organic Solvents. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:19410-19416. [PMID: 36223688 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Trace water in organic solvents can play a crucial role in the construction of supramolecular assemblies, which has not gained enough attention until very recent years. Herein, we demonstrate that residual water in organic solvents plays a decisive role in the regulation of the evolution of assembled structures and their functionality. By adding Mg(ClO4)2 into a multi-component organic solution containing terpyridine-based ligand 3Tpy and monodentate imidazole-based ligand M2, the system underwent an unexpected kinetic evolution. Metallo-supramolecular polymers (MSP) formed first by the coordination of 3Tpy and Mg2+, but they subsequently decomposed due to the interference of M2, resulting in a transient MSP system. Further investigation revealed that this occurred because residual water in the solvent and M2 cooperatively coordinated with Mg2+. This allowed M2 to capture Mg2+ from MSP, which led to depolymerization. However, owing to the slow reaction between trace water/M2/Mg2+, the formation of MSP still occurred first. Therefore, water regulated both the thermodynamics and kinetics of the system and was the key factor for constructing the transient MSP. Fine-tuning the water content and other assembly motifs regulated the assembly evolution pathway, tuned the MSP lifetime, and made the luminescent color of the system undergo intriguing transition processes over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulian Zhang
- College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - Shilin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - Huiting Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - Xue Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - PeiChen Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - Hang Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - Yuqing Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Yu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - Zhong-Qun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.,College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - Xiaolan Hu
- College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - Liulin Yang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
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21
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Del Giudice D, Spatola E, Valentini M, Ercolani G, Di Stefano S. Dissipative Dynamic Libraries (DDLs) and Dissipative Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry (DDCC). CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/syst.202200023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Del Giudice
- Dipartimento di Chimica Università di Roma La Sapienza and ISB-CNR Sede Secondaria di Roma – Meccanismi di Reazione P.le A. Moro 5 I-00185 Roma Italy
| | - Emanuele Spatola
- Dipartimento di Chimica Università di Roma La Sapienza and ISB-CNR Sede Secondaria di Roma – Meccanismi di Reazione P.le A. Moro 5 I-00185 Roma Italy
| | - Matteo Valentini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Università di Roma La Sapienza and ISB-CNR Sede Secondaria di Roma – Meccanismi di Reazione P.le A. Moro 5 I-00185 Roma Italy
| | - Gianfranco Ercolani
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche Università di Roma Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Roma Italy
| | - Stefano Di Stefano
- Dipartimento di Chimica Università di Roma La Sapienza and ISB-CNR Sede Secondaria di Roma – Meccanismi di Reazione P.le A. Moro 5 I-00185 Roma Italy
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22
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Vela-Gallego S, Pardo-Botero Z, Moya C, de la Escosura A. Collective adaptability in a replication network of minimal nucleobase sequences. Chem Sci 2022; 13:10715-10724. [PMID: 36320689 PMCID: PMC9491195 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc02419e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
A major challenge for understanding the origins of life is to explore how replication networks can engage in an evolutionary process. Herein, we shed light on this problem by implementing a network constituted by two different types of extremely simple biological components: the amino acid cysteine and the canonical nucleobases adenine and thymine, connected through amide bonds to the cysteine amino group and oxidation of its thiol into three possible disulfides. Supramolecular and kinetic analyses revealed that both self- and mutual interactions between such dinucleobase compounds drive their assembly and replication pathways. Those pathways involving sequence complementarity led to enhanced replication rates, suggesting a potential bias for selection. The interplay of synergistic dynamics and competition between replicators was then simulated, under conditions that are not easily accessible with experiments, in an open reactor parametrized and constrained with the unprecedentedly complete experimental kinetic data obtained for our replicative network. Interestingly, the simulations show bistability, as a selective amplification of different species depending on the initial mixture composition. Overall, this network configuration can favor a collective adaptability to changes in the availability of feedstock molecules, with disulfide exchange reactions serving as 'wires' that connect the different individual auto- and cross-catalytic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Vela-Gallego
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Campus de Cantoblanco 28049 Madrid Spain
| | | | - Cristian Moya
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Campus de Cantoblanco 28049 Madrid Spain
| | - Andrés de la Escosura
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Campus de Cantoblanco 28049 Madrid Spain
- Institute for Advanced Research in Chemistry (IAdChem) Cantoblanco 28049 Madrid Spain
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23
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Hossain MM, Jayalath IM, Baral R, Hartley CS. Carbodiimide‐Induced Formation of Transient Polyether Cages**. CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/syst.202200016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Isuru M. Jayalath
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Miami University Oxford OH 45056 USA
| | - Renuka Baral
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Miami University Oxford OH 45056 USA
| | - C. Scott Hartley
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Miami University Oxford OH 45056 USA
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24
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Corra S, Bakić MT, Groppi J, Baroncini M, Silvi S, Penocchio E, Esposito M, Credi A. Kinetic and energetic insights into the dissipative non-equilibrium operation of an autonomous light-powered supramolecular pump. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 17:746-751. [PMID: 35760895 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-022-01151-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Natural and artificial autonomous molecular machines operate by constantly dissipating energy coming from an external source to maintain a non-equilibrium state. Quantitative thermodynamic characterization of these dissipative states is highly challenging as they exist only as long as energy is provided. Here we report on the detailed physicochemical characterization of the dissipative operation of a supramolecular pump. The pump transduces light energy into chemical energy by bringing self-assembly reactions to non-equilibrium steady states. The composition of the system under light irradiation was followed in real time by 1H NMR for four different irradiation intensities. The experimental composition and photon flow were then fed into a theoretical model describing the non-equilibrium dissipation and the energy storage at the steady state. We quantitatively probed the relationship between the light energy input and the deviation of the dissipative state from thermodynamic equilibrium in this artificial system. Our results provide a testing ground for newly developed theoretical models for photoactivated artificial molecular machines operating away from thermodynamic equilibrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Corra
- CLAN-Center for Light Activated Nanostructures, Istituto ISOF-CNR, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale 'Toso Montanari', Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marina Tranfić Bakić
- CLAN-Center for Light Activated Nanostructures, Istituto ISOF-CNR, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale 'Toso Montanari', Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jessica Groppi
- CLAN-Center for Light Activated Nanostructures, Istituto ISOF-CNR, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Baroncini
- CLAN-Center for Light Activated Nanostructures, Istituto ISOF-CNR, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-alimentari, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Serena Silvi
- CLAN-Center for Light Activated Nanostructures, Istituto ISOF-CNR, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Chimica 'G. Ciamician', Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emanuele Penocchio
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Massimiliano Esposito
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Alberto Credi
- CLAN-Center for Light Activated Nanostructures, Istituto ISOF-CNR, Bologna, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale 'Toso Montanari', Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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25
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Del Giudice D, Valentini M, Melchiorre G, Spatola E, Di Stefano S. Dissipative Dynamic Covalent Chemistry (DDCvC) Based on the Transimination Reaction. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202200685. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.202200685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Del Giudice
- Dipartimento di Chimica Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” P.le A. Moro 5 00185 Rome Italy
| | - Matteo Valentini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” P.le A. Moro 5 00185 Rome Italy
| | - Gabriele Melchiorre
- Dipartimento di Chimica Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” P.le A. Moro 5 00185 Rome Italy
| | - Emanuele Spatola
- Dipartimento di Chimica Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” P.le A. Moro 5 00185 Rome Italy
| | - Stefano Di Stefano
- Dipartimento di Chimica Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” P.le A. Moro 5 00185 Rome Italy
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26
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Liu B, Wu J, Geerts M, Markovitch O, Pappas CG, Liu K, Otto S. Out-of-Equilibrium Self-Replication Allows Selection for Dynamic Kinetic Stability in a System of Competing Replicators. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202117605. [PMID: 35179808 PMCID: PMC9314957 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202117605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Among the key characteristics of living systems are their ability to self-replicate and the fact that they exist in an open system away from equilibrium. Herein, we show how the outcome of the competition between two self-replicators, differing in size and building block composition, is different depending on whether the experiments are conducted in a closed vial or in an open and out-of-equilibrium replication-destruction regime. In the closed system, the slower replicator eventually prevails over the faster competitor. In a replication-destruction regime, implemented through a flow system, the outcome of the competition is reversed and the faster replicator dominates. The interpretation of the experimental observations is supported by a mass-action-kinetics model. These results represent one of the few experimental manifestations of selection among competing self-replicators based on dynamic kinetic stability and pave the way towards Darwinian evolution of abiotic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liu
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Juntian Wu
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Marc Geerts
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Omer Markovitch
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
- Origins CenterUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 79747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life SciencesUniversity of Groningen9747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Charalampos G. Pappas
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Kai Liu
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Sijbren Otto
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
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27
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Liu B, Wu J, Geerts M, Markovitch O, Pappas CG, Liu K, Otto S. Out‐of‐equilibrium self‐replication allows selection for dynamic kinetic stability in a system of competing replicators. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202117605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liu
- University of Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Stratingh Institute for Chemistry NETHERLANDS
| | - Juntian Wu
- University of Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Stratingh Institute for Chemistry NETHERLANDS
| | - Marc Geerts
- University of Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Stratingh Institute for Chemistry NETHERLANDS
| | - Omer Markovitch
- University of Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Stratingh Institute for Chemistry NETHERLANDS
| | - Charalampos G. Pappas
- University of Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Stratingh Institute for Chemistry NETHERLANDS
| | - Kai Liu
- University of Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Stratingh Institute for Chemistry NETHERLANDS
| | - Sijbren Otto
- Stratingh Institute University of Groningen Centre for Systems Chemistry Nijenborgh 4 9747AG Groningen NETHERLANDS
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28
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Coste M, Suárez-Picado E, Ulrich S. Hierarchical self-assembly of aromatic peptide conjugates into supramolecular polymers: it takes two to tango. Chem Sci 2022; 13:909-933. [PMID: 35211257 PMCID: PMC8790784 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc05589e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Supramolecular polymers are self-assembled materials displaying adaptive and responsive "life-like" behaviour which are often made of aromatic compounds capable of engaging in π-π interactions to form larger assemblies. Major advances have been made recently in controlling their mode of self-assembly, from thermodynamically-controlled isodesmic to kinetically-controlled living polymerization. Dynamic covalent chemistry has been recently implemented to generate dynamic covalent polymers which can be seen as dynamic analogues of biomacromolecules. On the other hand, peptides are readily-available and structurally-rich building blocks that can lead to secondary structures or specific functions. In this context, the past decade has seen intense research activity in studying the behaviour of aromatic-peptide conjugates through supramolecular and/or dynamic covalent chemistries. Herein, we review those impressive key achievements showcasing how aromatic- and peptide-based self-assemblies can be combined using dynamic covalent and/or supramolecular chemistry, and what it brings in terms of the structure, self-assembly pathways, and function of supramolecular and dynamic covalent polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maëva Coste
- IBMM, Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM Montpellier France
| | - Esteban Suárez-Picado
- IBMM, Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM Montpellier France
| | - Sébastien Ulrich
- IBMM, Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM Montpellier France
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Abstract
As the remit of chemistry expands beyond molecules to systems, new synthetic targets appear on the horizon. Among these, life represents perhaps the ultimate synthetic challenge. Building on an increasingly detailed understanding of the inner workings of living systems and advances in organic synthesis and supramolecular chemistry, the de novo synthesis of life (i.e., the construction of a new form of life based on completely synthetic components) is coming within reach. This Account presents our first steps in the journey toward this long-term goal. The synthesis of life requires the functional integration of different subsystems that harbor the different characteristics that are deemed essential to life. The most important of these are self-replication, metabolism, and compartmentalization. Integrating these features into a single system, maintaining this system out of equilibrium, and allowing it to undergo Darwinian evolution should ideally result in the emergence of life. Our journey toward de novo life started with the serendipitous discovery of a new mechanism of self-replication. We found that self-assembly in a mixture of interconverting oligomers is a general way of achieving self-replication, where the assembly process drives the synthesis of the very molecules that assemble. Mechanically induced breakage of the growing replicating assemblies resulted in their exponential growth, which is an important enabler for achieving Darwinian evolution. Through this mechanism, the self-replication of compounds containing peptides, nucleobases, and fully synthetic molecules was achieved. Several examples of evolutionary dynamics have been observed in these systems, including the spontaneous diversification of replicators allowing them to specialize on different food sets, history dependence of replicator composition, and the spontaneous emergence of parasitic behavior. Peptide-based replicator assemblies were found to organize their peptide units in space in a manner that, inadvertently, gives rise to microenvironments that are capable of catalysis of chemical reactions or binding-induced activation of cofactors. Among the reactions that can be catalyzed by the replicators are ones that produce the precursors from which these replicators grow, amounting to the first examples of the assimilation of a proto-metabolism. Operating these replicators in a chemically fueled out-of-equilibrium replication-destruction regime was found to promote an increase in their molecular complexity. Fueling counteracts the inherent tendency of replicators to evolve toward lower complexity (caused by the fact that smaller replicators tend to replicate faster). Among the remaining steps on the road to de novo life are now to assimilate compartmentalization and achieve open-ended evolution of the resulting system. Success in the synthesis of de novo life, once obtained, will have far-reaching implications for our understanding of what life is, for the search for extraterrestrial life, for how life may have originated on earth, and for every-day life by opening up new vistas in the form living technology and materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijbren Otto
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh
Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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30
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Schwarz PS, Tena-Solsona M, Dai K, Boekhoven J. Carbodiimide-fueled catalytic reaction cycles to regulate supramolecular processes. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:1284-1297. [PMID: 35014639 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc06428b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Using molecular self-assembly, supramolecular chemists can create Gigadalton-structures with angstrom precision held together by non-covalent interactions. However, despite relying on the same molecular toolbox for self-assembly, these synthetic structures lack the complexity and sophistication of biological assemblies. Those assemblies are non-equilibrium structures that rely on the constant consumption of energy transduced from the hydrolysis of chemical fuels like ATP and GTP, which endows them with dynamic properties, e.g., temporal and spatial control and self-healing ability. Thus, to synthesize life-like materials, we have to find a reaction cycle that converts chemical energy to regulate self-assembly. We and others recently found that this can be done by a reaction cycle that hydrates carbodiimides. This feature article aims to provide an overview of how the energy transduced from carbodiimide hydration can alter the function of molecules and regulate molecular assemblies. The goal is to offer the reader design considerations for carbodiimide-driven reaction cycles to create a desired morphology or function of the assembly and ultimately to push chemically fueled self-assembly further towards the bottom-up synthesis of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick S Schwarz
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany.
| | - Marta Tena-Solsona
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany.
| | - Kun Dai
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany.
| | - Job Boekhoven
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany. .,Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 2a, 85748, Garching, Germany
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31
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Priyanka, Shandilya E, Brar SK, Mahato RR, Maiti S. Spatiotemporal dynamics of self-assembled structures in enzymatically induced agonistic and antagonistic conditions. Chem Sci 2021; 13:274-282. [PMID: 35059177 PMCID: PMC8694342 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc05353a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Predicting and designing systems with dynamic self-assembly properties in a spatiotemporal fashion is an important research area across disciplines ranging from understanding the fundamental non-equilibrium features of life to the fabrication of next-generation materials with life-like properties. Herein, we demonstrate a spatiotemporal dynamics pattern in the self-assembly behavior of a surfactant from an unorganized assembly, induced by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and enzymes responsible for the degradation or conversion of ATP. We report the different behavior of two enzymes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and hexokinase (HK), towards adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-driven surfactant assembly, which also results in contrasting spatiotemporal dynamic assembly behavior. Here, ALP acts antagonistically, resulting in transient self-assemblies, whereas HK shows agonistic action with the ability to sustain the assemblies. This dynamic assembly behavior was then used to program the time-dependent emergence of a self-assembled structure in a two-dimensional space by maintaining concentration gradients of the enzymes and surfactant at different locations, demonstrating a new route for obtaining 'spatial' organizational adaptability in a self-organized system of interacting components for the incorporation of programmed functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali Knowledge City Manauli 140306 India
| | - Ekta Shandilya
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali Knowledge City Manauli 140306 India
| | - Surinder Kaur Brar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali Knowledge City Manauli 140306 India
| | - Rishi Ram Mahato
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali Knowledge City Manauli 140306 India
| | - Subhabrata Maiti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali Knowledge City Manauli 140306 India
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32
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Mondal D, Ghosh A, Paul I, Schmittel M. Fuel Acid Drives Base Catalysis and Supramolecular Cage-to-Device Transformation under Dissipative Conditions. Org Lett 2021; 24:69-73. [PMID: 34913702 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c03654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
In State-I, a mixture comprising a DABCO-bridged tris(zinc-porphyrin) double decker and a free biped (=slider), catalysis was OFF. Acid addition (TFA or Di-Stefano fuel acid) to State-I liberated DABCO-H+ while generating a highly dynamic slider-on-deck device (State-II). The released DABCO-H+ acted as a base organocatalyst for a Knoevenagel reaction (catalysis ON). The system was reversed to State-I (catalysis OFF) by reducing the acidity in the system (by adding DBU or via the fuel-derived base).
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Affiliation(s)
- Debabrata Mondal
- Center of Micro- and Nanochemistry and (Bio)Technology (Cμ), Organische Chemie I, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2, D-57068 Siegen, Germany
| | - Amit Ghosh
- Center of Micro- and Nanochemistry and (Bio)Technology (Cμ), Organische Chemie I, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2, D-57068 Siegen, Germany
| | - Indrajit Paul
- Center of Micro- and Nanochemistry and (Bio)Technology (Cμ), Organische Chemie I, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2, D-57068 Siegen, Germany
| | - Michael Schmittel
- Center of Micro- and Nanochemistry and (Bio)Technology (Cμ), Organische Chemie I, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2, D-57068 Siegen, Germany
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33
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Wu B, Liu L, Zhou L, Magana JR, Hendrix MMRM, Wang J, Li C, Ding P, Wang Y, Guo X, Voets IK, Cohen Stuart MA, Wang J. Complex supramolecular fiber formed by coordination-induced self-assembly of benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA). J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 608:1297-1307. [PMID: 34739992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.10.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS In the quest for large but well-controlled supramolecular structures, the discotic benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) has received quite some attention, because it can form hydrogen-bonded stacks that can be regarded as supramolecular polymers of which the single BTA molecule is the monomer. In this report, we consider a more complex BTA-based supramolecular polymer, namely one that is built up from supramolecular 'monomers'. EXPERIMENTS We design a tris-ligand L3 consisting of a BTA core carrying three dipicolinic acid (DPA) groups. L3 itself is too small to form polymers, but in the presence of appropriate metal ions, each L3 can form three coordination bonds and so form (L3)n clusters that are large enough to stack successfully: at an appropriate metal dose, long and stable filaments with a cross-sectional diameter of 12 nm appear. We monitor the growth process by UV-vis spectroscopy and light scattering, and use small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), TEM as well as molecular simulation to confirm the filamentous structure of the fibers and determine their dimensions. FINDINGS The formation and structure of the fiber are very similar for various transition metal ions, which enables introducing different functionalities, e.g., magnetic relaxivity, by proper choice of the metal ions. Hence, we obtain a doubly supramolecular polymer, connected axially by hydrogen bonds, and radially by coordination bonds. Not only does this realize a higher level of complexity, but it also allows to easily introduce and vary metal-derived functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohang Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, 200237 Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, 200237 Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, 200237 Shanghai, China.
| | - Jose Rodrigo Magana
- Self-Organizing Soft Matter Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry & Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ, the Netherlands.
| | - Marco M R M Hendrix
- Self-Organizing Soft Matter Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry & Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ, the Netherlands.
| | - Jiahua Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, 200237 Shanghai, China
| | - Chendan Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, 200237 Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Ding
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, 200237 Shanghai, China.
| | - Yiming Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, 200237 Shanghai, China.
| | - Xuhong Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, 200237 Shanghai, China.
| | - Ilja K Voets
- Self-Organizing Soft Matter Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry & Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ, the Netherlands.
| | - Martien A Cohen Stuart
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, 200237 Shanghai, China.
| | - Junyou Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, 200237 Shanghai, China.
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34
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Howlett M, Scanes RJH, Fletcher SP. Selection between Competing Self-Reproducing Lipids: Succession and Dynamic Activation. JACS AU 2021; 1:1355-1361. [PMID: 34604845 PMCID: PMC8479773 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Models of chemical evolution are central to advancing origins of life research. To design more lifelike systems, we must expand our understanding of molecular selection mechanisms. Here, we show two selection modes that produce evolving populations of self-reproducing species, formed through thiol-disulfide exchange. Competition between thiol precursors can give clear succession patterns based on steric factors, an intrinsic property. A separate, emergent selection mechanism-dynamic activating metathesis-was found when exploring competing disulfide precursors. These experiments reveal that additional species generated in the mixture open up alternative reaction pathways to form self-reproducing products. Thus, increased compositional complexity provides certain species with a unique competitive advantage at the expense of others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael
G. Howlett
- Department of Chemistry,
Chemistry Research Laboratory, University
of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Robert J. H. Scanes
- Department of Chemistry,
Chemistry Research Laboratory, University
of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen P. Fletcher
- Department of Chemistry,
Chemistry Research Laboratory, University
of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
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35
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How Was Nature Able to Discover Its Own Laws-Twice? Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11070679. [PMID: 34357051 PMCID: PMC8305280 DOI: 10.3390/life11070679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The central thesis of the modern scientific revolution is that nature is objective. Yet, somehow, out of that objective reality, projective systems emerged-cognitive and purposeful. More remarkably, through nature's objective laws, chemical systems emerged and evolved to take advantage of those laws. Even more inexplicably, nature uncovered those laws twice-once unconsciously, once consciously. Accordingly, one could rephrase the origin of life question as follows: how was nature able to become self-aware and discover its own laws? What is the law of nature that enabled nature to discover its own laws? Addressing these challenging questions in physical-chemical terms may be possible through the newly emergent field of systems chemistry.
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36
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Kriebisch CME, Bergmann AM, Boekhoven J. Fuel-Driven Dynamic Combinatorial Libraries. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:7719-7725. [PMID: 33978418 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c01616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
In dynamic combinatorial libraries, molecules react with each other reversibly to form intricate networks under thermodynamic control. In biological systems, chemical reaction networks operate under kinetic control by the transduction of chemical energy. We thus introduced the notion of energy transduction, via chemical reaction cycles, to a dynamic combinatorial library. In the library, monomers can be oligomerized, oligomers can be deoligomerized, and oligomers can recombine. Interestingly, we found that the dynamics of the library's components were dominated by transacylation, which is an equilibrium reaction. In contrast, the library's dynamics were dictated by fuel-driven activation, which is a nonequilibrium reaction. Finally, we found that self-assembly can play a large role in affecting the reaction's kinetics via feedback mechanisms. The interplay of the simultaneously operating reactions and feedback mechanisms can result in hysteresis effects in which the outcome of the competition for fuel depends on events that occurred in the past. In future work, we envision diversifying the library by modifying building blocks with catalytically active motifs and information-containing monomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M E Kriebisch
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Alexander M Bergmann
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Job Boekhoven
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748 Garching, Germany.,Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 2a, 85748 Garching, Germany
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37
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Yang S, Schaeffer G, Mattia E, Markovitch O, Liu K, Hussain AS, Ottelé J, Sood A, Otto S. Chemical Fueling Enables Molecular Complexification of Self-Replicators*. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:11344-11349. [PMID: 33689197 PMCID: PMC8251556 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202016196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Unravelling how the complexity of living systems can (have) emerge(d) from simple chemical reactions is one of the grand challenges in contemporary science. Evolving systems of self-replicating molecules may hold the key to this question. Here we show that, when a system of replicators is subjected to a regime where replication competes with replicator destruction, simple and fast replicators can give way to more complex and slower ones. The structurally more complex replicator was found to be functionally more proficient in the catalysis of a model reaction. These results show that chemical fueling can maintain systems of replicators out of equilibrium, populating more complex replicators that are otherwise not readily accessible. Such complexification represents an important requirement for achieving open-ended evolution as it should allow improved and ultimately also new functions to emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Yang
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Gael Schaeffer
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Elio Mattia
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Omer Markovitch
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
- Origins CenterUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 79747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Kai Liu
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Andreas S. Hussain
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Jim Ottelé
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Ankush Sood
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Sijbren Otto
- Centre for Systems ChemistryStratingh InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
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Schwarz PS, Laha S, Janssen J, Huss T, Boekhoven J, Weber CA. Parasitic behavior in competing chemically fueled reaction cycles. Chem Sci 2021; 12:7554-7560. [PMID: 34163846 PMCID: PMC8171353 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc01106e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-equilibrium, fuel-driven reaction cycles serve as model systems of the intricate reaction networks of life. Rich and dynamic behavior is observed when reaction cycles regulate assembly processes, such as phase separation. However, it remains unclear how the interplay between multiple reaction cycles affects the success of emergent assemblies. To tackle this question, we created a library of molecules that compete for a common fuel that transiently activates products. Often, the competition for fuel implies that a competitor decreases the lifetime of these products. However, in cases where the transient competitor product can phase-separate, such a competitor can increase the survival time of one product. Moreover, in the presence of oscillatory fueling, the same mechanism reduces variations in the product concentration while the concentration variations of the competitor product are enhanced. Like a parasite, the product benefits from the protection of the host against deactivation and increases its robustness against fuel variations at the expense of the robustness of the host. Such a parasitic behavior in multiple fuel-driven reaction cycles represents a lifelike trait, paving the way for the bottom-up design of synthetic life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick S Schwarz
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich Lichtenbergstraße 4 85748 Garching Germany
| | - Sudarshana Laha
- Biological Physics, Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems Nöthnitzer Straße 38 01187 Dresden Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden Pfotenhauerstraße 108 01307 Dresden Germany
| | - Jacqueline Janssen
- Biological Physics, Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems Nöthnitzer Straße 38 01187 Dresden Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden Pfotenhauerstraße 108 01307 Dresden Germany
| | - Tabea Huss
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich Lichtenbergstraße 4 85748 Garching Germany
| | - Job Boekhoven
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich Lichtenbergstraße 4 85748 Garching Germany
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich Lichtenbergstraße 2a 85748 Garching Germany
| | - Christoph A Weber
- Biological Physics, Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems Nöthnitzer Straße 38 01187 Dresden Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden Pfotenhauerstraße 108 01307 Dresden Germany
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