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Rahn HP, Sun J, Li Z, Waymouth RM, Levy R, Wender PA. Isoprenoid CARTs: In Vitro and In Vivo mRNA Delivery by Charge-Altering Releasable Transporters Functionalized with Archaea-inspired Branched Lipids. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:4305-4316. [PMID: 38814265 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00373] [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: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
The delivery of oligonucleotides across biological barriers is a challenge of unsurpassed significance at the interface of materials science and medicine, with emerging clinical utility in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccinations, immunotherapies, genome editing, and cell rejuvenation. Here, we address the role of readily available branched lipids in the design, synthesis, and evaluation of isoprenoid charge-altering releasable transporters (CARTs), a pH-responsive oligomeric nanoparticle delivery system for RNA. Systematic variation of the lipid block reveals an emergent relationship between the lipid block and the neutralization kinetics of the polycationic block. Unexpectedly, iA21A11, a CART with the smallest lipid side chain, isoamyl-, was identified as the lead isoprenoid CART for the in vitro transfection of immortalized lymphoblastic cell lines. When administered intramuscularly in a murine model, iA21A11-mRNA complexes induce higher protein expression levels than our previous lead CART, ONA. Isoprenoid CARTs represent a new delivery platform for RNA vaccines and other polyanion-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison P Rahn
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Jiuzhi Sun
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Zhijian Li
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Robert M Waymouth
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Ronald Levy
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Paul A Wender
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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2
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Guo D, Zhang Z, Sun J, Hou W, Du N. A primitive cell model involving Vesicles, microtubules and asters. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 675:700-711. [PMID: 38996700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.07.045] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Simple single-chain amphiphiles (sodium monododecyl phosphate, SDP) and organic small molecules (isopentenol, IPN), both of primitive relevance, are proved to have been the building blocks of protocells on the early Earth. How do SDP-based membrane and coexisting IPN come together in specific ways to produce more complex chemical entities? What kind of cell-like behavior can be endowed with this protocell model? These are important questions in the pre-life chemical origin scenario that have not been answered to date. EXPERIMENTS The phase behavior and formation mechanism of the aggregates for SDP/IPN/H2O ternary system were characterized and studied by different electron microscopy, fluorescent probe technology, DLS, IR, ESI-MS, SAXS, etc. The stability (freeze-thaw and wet-dry treatments) and cell-like behavior (chemical signaling communication) were tested via simulating particular scenarios. FINDINGS Vesicles, microtubules and asters phases resembling the morphology and structure of modern cells/organelles were obtained. The intermolecular hydrogen bonding is the main driving force for the emergence of the aggregates. The protocell models not only display remarkable stabilities by simulating the primordial Earth's diurnal temperature differences and ocean tides but also are able to exhibit cell-like behavior of chemical signaling transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, PR China
| | - Ziyue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, PR China
| | - Jichao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, PR China
| | - Wanguo Hou
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, PR China; National Engineering Technology Research Center for Colloidal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, PR China
| | - Na Du
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, PR China.
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3
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Gao M, Du N, Yao Z, Li Y, Chen N, Hou W. Spontaneous vesicle formation and vesicle-to-α-gel transition in aqueous mixtures of sodium monododecylphosphate and guanidinium salts. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:4604-4614. [PMID: 33949616 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00303h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Monoalkyl phosphates (MAPs) are one kind of important single-chain weak acid/salt type surfactants, but the understanding of their aggregation behavior in water is very limited due to their insolubility at room temperature. In the current work, the effect of guanidinium salts (GuSalts) on the solubility of sodium monododecylphosphate (SDP), a typical MAP, in water was determined at 25.0 °C, and the aggregation behavior of SDP in the GuSalt/water mixtures was investigated. The solubility of SDP is significantly improved by GuSalts including GuCl, GuSO4, GuSO3, GuPO4, and GuCO3 at 25.0 °C, resulting in an isotropic phase. SDP vesicles are spontaneously formed in the isotropic phase, with a critical vesicle concentration of ∼1.0 mM independent of the type of GuSalts. A "bridging dimer" mechanism is proposed to explain the formation of SDP vesicles. The SDP vesicles have a unilamellar structure with a size of ∼80 nm and an alkyl interdigitated degree of ∼25%, and exhibit size-selective permeability. Interestingly, a temperature-induced reversible transition between vesicles and α-gels was observed for the SDP/GuSalt/H2O systems when the SDP content is higher than 20 mM. The α-gels obtained are composed of vesicles and bilayer sheets, showing similar viscoelasticity to conventional gels, although their water content is as high as ∼98 wt%. The microviscosity of SDP vesicle membranes (ca. 35.79-49.34 mPa s at 25.0 °C) and the transition temperature between vesicles and α-gels (ca. 21.0-22.8 °C) are all dependent of the type of GuSalts. This work deepens the understanding of the aggregation behavior of MAPs and also provides valuable information for their practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihua Gao
- Key Laboratory of Colloid & Interface Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China.
| | - Na Du
- Key Laboratory of Colloid & Interface Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China.
| | - Zhiyin Yao
- Key Laboratory of Colloid & Interface Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China.
| | - Ying Li
- Key Laboratory of Colloid & Interface Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China.
| | - Nan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Colloid & Interface Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China.
| | - Wanguo Hou
- Key Laboratory of Colloid & Interface Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China. and National Engineering Technology Research Center of Colloidal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
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4
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2D Monomolecular Nanosheets Based on Thiacalixarene Derivatives: Synthesis, Solid State Self-Assembly and Crystal Polymorphism. NANOMATERIALS 2020; 10:nano10122505. [PMID: 33327421 PMCID: PMC7764881 DOI: 10.3390/nano10122505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic organic 2D materials are attracting careful attention of researchers due to their excellent functionality in various applications, including storage batteries, catalysis, thermoelectricity, advanced electronics, superconductors, optoelectronics, etc. In this work, thiacalix[4]arene derivatives functionalized by geranyl fragments at the lower rim in cone and 1,3-alternate conformations, that are capable of controlled self-assembly in a 2D nanostructures were synthesized. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the formation of 2D monomolecular-layer nanosheets from synthesized thiacalix[4]arenes, the distance between which depends on the stereoisomer used. It was established by DSC, FSC, and PXRD methods that the obtained macrocycles are capable of forming different crystalline polymorphs, moreover dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) is contributing to the formation of a more stable polymorph for cone stereoisomer. The obtained crystalline 2D materials based on synthesized thiacalix[4]arenes can find application in material science and medicine for the development of modern pharmaceuticals and new generation materials.
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Sarkar S, Das S, Dagar S, Joshi MP, Mungi CV, Sawant AA, Patki GM, Rajamani S. Prebiological Membranes and Their Role in the Emergence of Early Cellular Life. J Membr Biol 2020; 253:589-608. [PMID: 33200235 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-020-00155-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Membrane compartmentalization is a fundamental feature of contemporary cellular life. Given this, it is rational to assume that at some stage in the early origins of life, membrane compartments would have potentially emerged to form a dynamic semipermeable barrier in primitive cells (protocells), protecting them from their surrounding environment. It is thought that such prebiological membranes would likely have played a crucial role in the emergence and evolution of life on the early Earth. Extant biological membranes are highly organized and complex, which is a consequence of a protracted evolutionary history. On the other hand, prebiotic membrane assemblies, which are thought to have preceded sophisticated contemporary membranes, are hypothesized to have been relatively simple and composed of single chain amphiphiles. Recent studies indicate that the evolution of prebiotic membranes potentially resulted from interactions between the membrane and its physicochemical environment. These studies have also speculated on the origin, composition, function and influence of environmental conditions on protocellular membranes as the niche parameters would have directly influenced their composition and biophysical properties. Nonetheless, the evolutionary pathways involved in the transition from prebiological membranes to contemporary membranes are largely unknown. This review critically evaluates existing research on prebiotic membranes in terms of their probable origin, composition, energetics, function and evolution. Notably, we outline new approaches that can further our understanding about how prebiotic membranes might have evolved in response to relevant physicochemical parameters that would have acted as pertinent selection pressures on the early Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susovan Sarkar
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Souradeep Das
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Shikha Dagar
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Manesh Prakash Joshi
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Chaitanya V Mungi
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Anupam A Sawant
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Gauri M Patki
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Sudha Rajamani
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008, India.
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6
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Vanaga I, Gubernator J, Nakurte I, Kletnieks U, Muceniece R, Jansone B. Identification of Abies sibirica L. Polyprenols and Characterisation of Polyprenol-Containing Liposomes. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25081801. [PMID: 32295310 PMCID: PMC7221546 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The needles of conifer trees are one of the richest sources of natural polyprenols. Polyprenol homologs from Abies sibirica L. lipophilic 80% purified extract were analyzed and quantified. In total, 10 peaks (Prenol-11 to Prenol-20) were observed in the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector (UHPLC-DAD) chromatogram of Siberian fir with the most abundant compound being Prenol-15 (relative amount 37.23 + 0.56% of the total polyprenol yield). Abies sibirica L. polyprenol solubility and incorporation efficiency into liposomes were studied in various commercially available lecithin mixtures (Phosal IP40, Phosal 75SA, and Lipoid P45). The resulting multilamellar polyprenol liposomes were morphologically characterized by Light and Transmission Electron Microscopy, and the liposome size was discovered to be polymodal with the main peak at 1360 nm (90% of the volume). As polyprenols are fully soluble only in lipids, a liposomal formulation based upon co-solubilization and a modified ethanol injection method of polyprenols into the ethanol-phospholipid system was developed for the entrapment and delivery of polyprenols for potential commercial applications in food supplement and cosmetic industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Vanaga
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Jelgavas str. 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia; (R.M.); (B.J.)
- LTD “Silv EXPO”, Alberta str. 12-2, LV-1010 Riga, Latvia
- JSC “Biolat”, Rigas str. 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +371-29554716
| | - Jerzy Gubernator
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot Currie 14A, 51-383 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Ilva Nakurte
- Institute for Environmental Solutions, „Lidlauks”, Priekulu parish, LV- 4101 Priekulu county, Latvia
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Latvia, Jelgavas str. 1, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
| | - Ugis Kletnieks
- LTD “Silv EXPO”, Alberta str. 12-2, LV-1010 Riga, Latvia
- JSC “Biolat”, Rigas str. 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
| | - Ruta Muceniece
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Jelgavas str. 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia; (R.M.); (B.J.)
| | - Baiba Jansone
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Jelgavas str. 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia; (R.M.); (B.J.)
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7
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Salvador-Castell M, Tourte M, Oger PM. In Search for the Membrane Regulators of Archaea. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4434. [PMID: 31505830 PMCID: PMC6770870 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane regulators such as sterols and hopanoids play a major role in the physiological and physicochemical adaptation of the different plasmic membranes in Eukarya and Bacteria. They are key to the functionalization and the spatialization of the membrane, and therefore indispensable for the cell cycle. No archaeon has been found to be able to synthesize sterols or hopanoids to date. They also lack homologs of the genes responsible for the synthesis of these membrane regulators. Due to their divergent membrane lipid composition, the question whether archaea require membrane regulators, and if so, what is their nature, remains open. In this review, we review evidence for the existence of membrane regulators in Archaea, and propose tentative location and biological functions. It is likely that no membrane regulator is shared by all archaea, but that they may use different polyterpenes, such as carotenoids, polyprenols, quinones and apolar polyisoprenoids, in response to specific stressors or physiological needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Salvador-Castell
- Université de Lyon, CNRS, UMR 5240, F-69621 Villeurbanne, France.
- Université de Lyon, INSA de Lyon, UMR 5240, F-69621 Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Maxime Tourte
- Université de Lyon, CNRS, UMR 5240, F-69621 Villeurbanne, France.
- Université de Lyon, INSA de Lyon, UMR 5240, F-69621 Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Philippe M Oger
- Université de Lyon, CNRS, UMR 5240, F-69621 Villeurbanne, France.
- Université de Lyon, INSA de Lyon, UMR 5240, F-69621 Villeurbanne, France.
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8
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Totsuka Y, Yasuno Y, Shinada T. First Synthesis of All-trans-polyprenol with 100 Carbons. CHEM LETT 2019. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.190046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Totsuka
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
| | - Yoko Yasuno
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Shinada
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
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9
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Kozlov VV, Danilov LL. Reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography assay of polyprenyl diphosphate oligomer homologues. J Sep Sci 2015; 39:525-7. [PMID: 26608950 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201501098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
A reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography procedure was developed for the separation of polyprenyl diphosphate oligomer homologues obtained chemically from plant polyprenols. Tetrabutylammonium phosphate was used as the ion-pair reagent, and the dependence of the separation quality on pH of ion-pair reagent was investigated for the first time. The procedure is applicable for the control of commercial available polyprenyl monophosphates (the active components of veterinary drugs Phosprenyl and Gamapren) for the possible presence of polyprenyl diphosphate byproducts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vyacheslav V Kozlov
- Laboratory of natural immunity, Department of immunology, N.F. Gamaleya Federal Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Leonid L Danilov
- Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry, N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
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10
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Nakatani Y, Ribeiro N, Streiff S, Gotoh M, Pozzi G, Désaubry L, Milon A. Search for the most 'primitive' membranes and their reinforcers: a review of the polyprenyl phosphates theory. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2014; 44:197-208. [PMID: 25351682 PMCID: PMC4669544 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-014-9365-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Terpenoids have an essential function in present-day cellular membranes, either as membrane reinforcers in Eucarya and Bacteria or as principal membrane constituents in Archaea. We have shown that some terpenoids, such as cholesterol and α, ω-dipolar carotenoids reinforce lipid membranes by measuring the water permeability of unilamellar vesicles. It was possible to arrange the known membrane terpenoids in a ‘phylogenetic’ sequence, and a retrograde analysis led us to conceive that single-chain polyprenyl phosphates might have been ‘primitive’ membrane constituents. By using an optical microscopy, we have observed that polyprenyl phosphates containing 15 to 30 C-atoms form giant vesicles in water in a wide pH range. The addition of 10 % molar of some polyprenols to polyprenyl phosphate vesicles have been shown to reduce the water permeability of membranes even more efficiently than the equimolecular addition of cholesterol. A ‘prebiotic’ synthesis of C10 and C15 prenols from C5 monoprenols was achieved in the presence of a montmorillonite clay. Hypothetical pathway from C1 or C2 units to ‘primitive’ membranes and that from ‘primitive’ membranes to archaeal lipids are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoichi Nakatani
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Strasbourg - CNRS, 67000, Strasbourg, France,
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11
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Abstract
All life on earth can be naturally classified into cellular life forms and virus-like selfish elements, the latter being fully dependent on the former for their reproduction. Cells are reproducers that not only replicate their genome but also reproduce the cellular organization that depends on semipermeable, energy-transforming membranes and cannot be recovered from the genome alone, under the famous dictum of Rudolf Virchow, Omnis cellula e cellula. In contrast, simple selfish elements are replicators that can complete their life cycles within the host cell starting from genomic RNA or DNA alone. The origin of the cellular organization is the central and perhaps the hardest problem of evolutionary biology. I argue that the origin of cells can be understood only in conjunction with the origin and evolution of selfish genetic elements. A scenario of precellular evolution is presented that involves cohesion of the genomes of the emerging cellular life forms from primordial pools of small genetic elements that eventually segregated into hosts and parasites. I further present a model of the coevolution of primordial membranes and membrane proteins, discuss protocellular and non-cellular models of early evolution, and examine the habitats on the primordial earth that could have been conducive to precellular evolution and the origin of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene V Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA,
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12
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13
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Nakatani Y, Ribeiro N, Streiff S, Désaubry L, Ourisson G. Search for the most primitive membranes: some remaining problems. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2012; 42:497-501. [PMID: 23080009 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-012-9313-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yoichi Nakatani
- Institut de Chimie, Université de Strasbourg, 1, rue Blaise Pascal, 67008 Strasbourg, France.
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14
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Ariga K, Hill JP. Monolayers at air-water interfaces: from origins-of-life to nanotechnology. CHEM REC 2011; 11:199-211. [DOI: 10.1002/tcr.201100004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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15
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Balleza D. Toward understanding protocell mechanosensation. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2011; 41:281-304. [PMID: 21080073 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-010-9225-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2010] [Accepted: 10/20/2010] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Mechanosensitive (MS) channels can prevent bacterial bursting during hypo-osmotic shocks by responding to increases in lateral tension at the membrane level through an integrated and coordinated opening mechanism. Mechanical regulation in protocells could have been one of the first mechanisms to evolve in order to preserve their integrity against changing environmental conditions. How has the rich functional diversity found in present cells been created throughout evolution, and what did the primordial MS channels look like? This review has been written with the aim of identifying which factors may have been important for the appearance of the first osmotic valve in a prebiotic context, and what this valve may have been like. It highlights the mechanical properties of lipid bilayers, the association of peptides as aggregates in membranes, and the conservation of sequence motifs as central aspects to understand the evolution of proteins that gate below the tension required for spontaneous pore formation and membrane rupture. The arguments developed here apply to both MscL and MscS homologs, but could be valid to mechano-susceptible proteins in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Balleza
- Unidad de Biofísica, CSIC-UPV/EHU, Universidad del País Vasco, Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, Spain.
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16
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Abstract
Self-assembled vesicles are essential components of primitive cells. We review the importance of vesicles during the origins of life, fundamental thermodynamics and kinetics of self-assembly, and experimental models of simple vesicles, focusing on prebiotically plausible fatty acids and their derivatives. We review recent work on interactions of simple vesicles with RNA and other studies of the transition from vesicles to protocells. Finally we discuss current challenges in understanding the biophysics of protocells, as well as conceptual questions in information transmission and self-replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene A Chen
- FAS Center for Systems Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
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17
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Walde P. Building artificial cells and protocell models: Experimental approaches with lipid vesicles. Bioessays 2010; 32:296-303. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.200900141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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18
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Ariga K, Lee MV, Labuta J, Okamoto K, Hill JP. Studies on Langmuir monolayers of polyprenyl phosphates towards a possible scenario for origin of life. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2009; 74:426-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2009.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2009] [Revised: 07/21/2009] [Accepted: 07/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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19
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Domingo V, Arteaga JF, Quílez del Moral JF, Barrero AF. Unusually cyclized triterpenes: occurrence, biosynthesis and chemical synthesis. Nat Prod Rep 2009; 26:115-34. [PMID: 19374125 DOI: 10.1039/b801470c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The biosynthetic origin of most of triterpenes lies in cascade cyclizations and rearrangements of the acyclic precursors squalene (S) and 2,3-oxidosqualene (OS), processes leading to tetra- and pentacyclic triterpene skeleta. Apart from these, a number of triterpenoid structures derived from cyclization processes, that are different from those leading to tetra- and pentacyclic triterpenes, are also found in Nature. We have defined these processes as unusual cyclizations, and grouped them in three blocks, namely, incomplete cyclizations of the corresponding S-derived precursors, cyclizations of S or OS towards polycyclic triterpenes and subsequent cleavage of the preformed ring systems, and two independent cyclizations of the S- or OS-derived precursor. Apart from the molecules obtained from intact organisms, we will also consider the compounds obtained from in vitro cyclizations promoted by enzyme systems. After establishing which compounds could unambiguously be grouped under the term 'unusually cyclized triterpenes', this review moves on to the advances achieved in this kind of structure during the last ten years. These advances are presented in three parts. The first one presents the structure and biological properties of the unusual triterpenes reported in the last decade. The second part considers the main biosynthetic pathways which justify the formation of these triterpenes from their corresponding acyclic precursors. Finally, we look at the achievements made in different synthetic strategies directed at some of these molecules. One hundred and twenty-three references are cited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoriano Domingo
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Avenida Fuentenueva, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Mansy SS. Model protocells from single-chain lipids. Int J Mol Sci 2009; 10:835-843. [PMID: 19399223 PMCID: PMC2672004 DOI: 10.3390/ijms10030835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2009] [Revised: 02/23/2009] [Accepted: 02/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant progress has been made in the construction of laboratory models of protocells. Most frequently the developed vesicle systems utilize single-chain lipids rather than the double-chain lipids typically found in biological membranes. Although single-chain lipids yield less robust vesicles, their dynamic characteristics are highly exploitable for protocellular functions. Herein the advantages of using single-chain lipids in the construction of protocells are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheref S Mansy
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA
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