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Kim BK, Kang DH, Woo J, Yoon W, Ryu H, Han K, Chung S, Kim TS. Control of artificial membrane fusion in physiological ionic solutions beyond the limits of electroformation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4524. [PMID: 38806492 PMCID: PMC11133453 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48875-0] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion, merging two lipid bilayers, is crucial for fabricating artificial membrane structures. Over the past 40 years, in contrast to precise and controllable membrane fusion in-vivo through specific molecules such as SNAREs, controlling the fusion in-vitro while fabricating artificial membrane structures in physiological ionic solutions without fusion proteins has been a challenge, becoming a significant obstacle to practical applications. We present an approach consisting of an electric field and a few kPa hydraulic pressure as an additional variable to physically control the fusion, enabling tuning of the shape and size of the 3D freestanding lipid bilayers in physiological ionic solutions. Mechanical model analysis reveals that pressure-induced parallel/normal tensions enhance fusion among membranes in the microwell. In-vitro peptide-membrane assay, mimicking vesicular transport via pressure-assisted fusion, and stability of 38 days with in-chip pressure control via pore size-regulated hydrogel highlight the potential for diverse biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bong Kyu Kim
- Center for Brain Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hyun Kang
- Center for Brain Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- Bionics Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Junhyuk Woo
- Center for Brain Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Wooseung Yoon
- Center for Brain Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunil Ryu
- Center for Brain Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungreem Han
- Center for Brain Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Chung
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Song Kim
- Center for Brain Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea.
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Dolder N, Müller P, von Ballmoos C. Experimental platform for the functional investigation of membrane proteins in giant unilamellar vesicles. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:5877-5893. [PMID: 35916307 PMCID: PMC9364335 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00551d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are micrometer-sized model membrane systems that can be viewed directly under the microscope. They serve as scaffolds for the bottom-up creation of synthetic cells, targeted drug delivery and have been widely used to study membrane related phenomena in vitro. GUVs are also of interest for the functional investigation of membrane proteins that carry out many key cellular functions. A major hurdle to a wider application of GUVs in this field is the diversity of existing protocols that are optimized for individual proteins. Here, we compare PVA assisted and electroformation techniques for GUV formation under physiologically relevant conditions, and analyze the effect of immobilization on vesicle structure and membrane tightness towards small substrates and protons. There, differences in terms of yield, size, and leakage of GUVs produced by PVA assisted swelling and electroformation were found, dependent on salt and buffer composition. Using fusion of oppositely charged membranes to reconstitute a model membrane protein, we find that empty vesicles and proteoliposomes show similar fusion behavior, which allows for a rapid estimation of protein incorporation using fluorescent lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Dolder
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Philipp Müller
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Christoph von Ballmoos
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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3
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Han WB, Kang DH, Kim TS. 3D Artificial Cell Membranes as Versatile Platforms for Biological Applications. BIOCHIP JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13206-022-00066-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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4
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Tunable and scalable fabrication of block copolymer-based 3D polymorphic artificial cell membrane array. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1261. [PMID: 35273189 PMCID: PMC8913694 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28960-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to their excellent durability, tunable physical properties, and biofunctionality, block copolymer-based membranes provide a platform for various biotechnological applications. However, conventional approaches for fabricating block copolymer membranes produce only planar or suspended polymersome structures, which limits their utilization. This study is the first to demonstrate that an electric-field-assisted self-assembly technique can allow controllable and scalable fabrication of 3-dimensional block copolymer artificial cell membranes (3DBCPMs) immobilized on predefined locations. Topographically and chemically structured microwell array templates facilitate uniform patterning of block copolymers and serve as reactors for the effective growth of 3DBCPMs. Modulating the concentration of the block copolymer and the amplitude/frequency of the electric field generates 3DBCPMs with diverse shapes, controlled sizes, and high stability (100% survival over 50 days). In vitro protein–membrane assays and mimicking of human intestinal organs highlight the potential of 3DBCPMs for a variety of biological applications such as artificial cells, cell-mimetic biosensors, and bioreactors. In this manuscript, an electric-field-assisted self-assembly technique that can allow controllable and scalable fabrication of 3-dimensional block copolymer (BCP)-based artificial cell membranes (3DBCPMs) immobilized on predefined locations is presented. Topographically and chemically structured microwell array templates facilitate uniform patterning of BCPs and serve as reactors for the effective growth of 3DBCPMs, which diverse shapes, sizes and stability can be tuned by modulating the BCP concentration and the amplitude/frequency of the electric field. The potential of 3DBCPMs for a variety of biological applications is highlighted by performance of in vitro protein-membrane assays and mimicking of human intestinal organs.
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Yoon BK, Park H, Zhdanov VP, Jackman JA, Cho NJ. Real-time nanoplasmonic sensing of three-dimensional morphological changes in a supported lipid bilayer and antimicrobial testing applications. Biosens Bioelectron 2021; 174:112768. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2020.112768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Lee HR, Lee Y, Oh SS, Choi SQ. Ultra-Stable Freestanding Lipid Membrane Array: Direct Visualization of Dynamic Membrane Remodeling with Cholesterol Transport and Enzymatic Reactions. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2002541. [PMID: 32924281 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202002541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cell membranes actively change their local compositions, serving essential biological processes such as cellular signaling and endocytosis. Although membrane dynamics is vital in the cellular functions, the complexity of natural membranes has made its fundamental understanding and systematic assessment difficult. Here, a powerful artificial membrane system is developed for real-time visualization of the spatiotemporal dynamics of membrane remodeling. Through well-defined air/oil/water interfaces on grid holes, tens of planar lipid bilayer membranes are easily created, and their reproducibility, controllability, and generality are highlighted. The freestanding membranes are large but also highly stable, facilitating direct long-term monitoring of dynamic membrane reconstitution caused by external stimuli. As an example to demonstrate the superiority of this membrane system, the effect of cholesterol trafficking, which significantly affects biophysical properties of cell membranes, is investigated at different membrane compositions. Cholesterol transport into and out of the membranes at different rates causes anomalous lipid arrangements through cholesterol-mediated phase transitions and decomposition, which have never been witnessed before. Furthermore, enzyme-induced membrane dynamics is successfully shown in this platform; sphingomyelinases locally generate asymmetry between two membrane leaflets. This technique is broadly applicable for exploring the membrane heterogeneity under various membrane-based reactions, providing valuable insight into the membrane dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Ro Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yohan Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Soo Oh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Siyoung Q Choi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
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Ma T, Feng X, Ohori T, Miyata R, Tadaki D, Yamaura D, Deguchi T, Komiya M, Kanomata K, Hirose F, Niwano M, Hirano-Iwata A. Modulation of Photoinduced Transmembrane Currents in a Fullerene-Doped Freestanding Lipid Bilayer by a Lateral Bias. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:18299-18303. [PMID: 31720530 PMCID: PMC6844088 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b02336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We report on a novel lipid bilayer system, in which a lateral bias can be applied in addition to a conventional transmembrane voltage. Freestanding bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) doped with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) were formed in a microaperture, around which metal electrodes were deposited. Using this system, it was possible to modulate and amplify photoinduced transmembrane currents by applying a lateral bias along the BLM. The results indicate that the microfabricated Si chip with embedded electrodes is a promising platform for the formation of transistor-like devices based on PCBM-doped BLMs and have potential for use in a wide variety of nanohybrid devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Ma
- Advanced
Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) and Research Institute
of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira,
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Xingyao Feng
- Advanced
Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) and Research Institute
of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira,
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ohori
- Advanced
Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) and Research Institute
of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira,
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Miyata
- Advanced
Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) and Research Institute
of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira,
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Daisuke Tadaki
- Advanced
Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) and Research Institute
of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira,
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Daichi Yamaura
- Advanced
Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) and Research Institute
of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira,
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Takafumi Deguchi
- Advanced
Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) and Research Institute
of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira,
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Maki Komiya
- Advanced
Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) and Research Institute
of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira,
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Kensaku Kanomata
- Graduate
School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata
University, 4-3-16 Jonan, Yonezawa 992-8510, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Hirose
- Graduate
School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata
University, 4-3-16 Jonan, Yonezawa 992-8510, Japan
| | - Michio Niwano
- Kansei
Fukushi Research Institute, Tohoku Fukushi
University, 6-149-1 Kunimi-ga-oka, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 989-3201, Japan
| | - Ayumi Hirano-Iwata
- Advanced
Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) and Research Institute
of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira,
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
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