1
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Daly ML, Nishi K, Klawa SJ, Hinton KY, Gao Y, Freeman R. Designer peptide-DNA cytoskeletons regulate the function of synthetic cells. Nat Chem 2024; 16:1229-1239. [PMID: 38654104 PMCID: PMC11322001 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01509-w] [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: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The bottom-up engineering of artificial cells requires a reconfigurable cytoskeleton that can organize at distinct locations and dynamically modulate its structural and mechanical properties. Here, inspired by the vast array of actin-binding proteins and their ability to reversibly crosslink or bundle filaments, we have designed a library of peptide-DNA crosslinkers varying in length, valency and geometry. Peptide filaments conjoint through DNA hybridization give rise to tactoid-shaped bundles with tunable aspect ratios and mechanics. When confined in cell-sized water-in-oil droplets, the DNA crosslinker design guides the localization of cytoskeletal structures at the cortex or within the lumen of the synthetic cells. The tunable spatial arrangement regulates the passive diffusion of payloads within the droplets and complementary DNA handles allow for the reversible recruitment and release of payloads on and off the cytoskeleton. Heat-induced reconfiguration of peptide-DNA architectures triggers shape deformations of droplets, regulated by DNA melting temperatures. Altogether, the modular design of peptide-DNA architectures is a powerful strategy towards the bottom-up assembly of synthetic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret L Daly
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kengo Nishi
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephen J Klawa
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kameryn Y Hinton
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ronit Freeman
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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2
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Song Y. Liquid-liquid phase separation-inspired design of biomaterials. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:1943-1949. [PMID: 38465963 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm02008h] [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: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a crucial biological process that governs biomolecular condensation, assembly, and functionality within phase-separated aqueous environments. This phenomenon serves as a source of inspiration for the creation of artificial designs in both structured and functional biomaterials, presenting novel strategies for manipulating the structures of functional protein aggregates in a wide range of biomedical applications. This mini review summarizes my past research endeavors, offering a panoramic overview of LLPS-inspired biomaterials utilized in the design of structured materials, the development of cell mimetics, and the advancement of intelligent biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Material Science & Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.
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3
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Naz M, Zhang L, Chen C, Yang S, Dou H, Mann S, Li J. Self-assembly of stabilized droplets from liquid-liquid phase separation for higher-order structures and functions. Commun Chem 2024; 7:79. [PMID: 38594355 PMCID: PMC11004187 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01168-5] [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: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Dynamic microscale droplets produced by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) have emerged as appealing biomaterials due to their remarkable features. However, the instability of droplets limits the construction of population-level structures with collective behaviors. Here we first provide a brief background of droplets in the context of materials properties. Subsequently, we discuss current strategies for stabilizing droplets including physical separation and chemical modulation. We also discuss the recent development of LLPS droplets for various applications such as synthetic cells and biomedical materials. Finally, we give insights on how stabilized droplets can self-assemble into higher-order structures displaying coordinated functions to fully exploit their potentials in bottom-up synthetic biology and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehwish Naz
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Chong Chen
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6, Turku, 20520, Finland
| | - Shuo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Hongjing Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Stephen Mann
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK.
| | - Jianwei Li
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6, Turku, 20520, Finland.
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4
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Belluati A, Jimaja S, Chadwick RJ, Glynn C, Chami M, Happel D, Guo C, Kolmar H, Bruns N. Artificial cell synthesis using biocatalytic polymerization-induced self-assembly. Nat Chem 2024; 16:564-574. [PMID: 38049652 PMCID: PMC10997521 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01391-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Artificial cells are biomimetic microstructures that mimic functions of natural cells, can be applied as building blocks for molecular systems engineering, and host synthetic biology pathways. Here we report enzymatically synthesized polymer-based artificial cells with the ability to express proteins. Artificial cells were synthesized using biocatalytic atom transfer radical polymerization-induced self-assembly, in which myoglobin synthesizes amphiphilic block co-polymers that self-assemble into structures such as micelles, worm-like micelles, polymersomes and giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). The GUVs encapsulate cargo during the polymerization, including enzymes, nanoparticles, microparticles, plasmids and cell lysate. The resulting artificial cells act as microreactors for enzymatic reactions and for osteoblast-inspired biomineralization. Moreover, they can express proteins such as a fluorescent protein and actin when fed with amino acids. Actin polymerizes in the vesicles and alters the artificial cells' internal structure by creating internal compartments. Thus, biocatalytic atom transfer radical polymerization-induced self-assembly-derived GUVs can mimic bacteria as they are composed of a microscopic reaction compartment that contains genetic information for protein expression upon induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Belluati
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, Glasgow, UK.
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Synthetic Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Sètuhn Jimaja
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Robert J Chadwick
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, Glasgow, UK
| | - Christopher Glynn
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Dominic Happel
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Synthetic Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Chao Guo
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, Glasgow, UK
| | - Harald Kolmar
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Synthetic Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Nico Bruns
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, Glasgow, UK.
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Synthetic Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.
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5
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Wang X, Qiao X, Chen H, Wang L, Liu X, Huang X. Synthetic-Cell-Based Multi-Compartmentalized Hierarchical Systems. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2201712. [PMID: 37069779 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202201712] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In the extant lifeforms, the self-sustaining behaviors refer to various well-organized biochemical reactions in spatial confinement, which rely on compartmentalization to integrate and coordinate the molecularly crowded intracellular environment and complicated reaction networks in living/synthetic cells. Therefore, the biological phenomenon of compartmentalization has become an essential theme in the field of synthetic cell engineering. Recent progress in the state-of-the-art of synthetic cells has indicated that multi-compartmentalized synthetic cells should be developed to obtain more advanced structures and functions. Herein, two ways of developing multi-compartmentalized hierarchical systems, namely interior compartmentalization of synthetic cells (organelles) and integration of synthetic cell communities (synthetic tissues), are summarized. Examples are provided for different construction strategies employed in the above-mentioned engineering ways, including spontaneous compartmentalization in vesicles, host-guest nesting, phase separation mediated multiphase, adhesion-mediated assembly, programmed arrays, and 3D printing. Apart from exhibiting advanced structures and functions, synthetic cells are also applied as biomimetic materials. Finally, key challenges and future directions regarding the development of multi-compartmentalized hierarchical systems are summarized; these are expected to lay the foundation for the creation of a "living" synthetic cell as well as provide a larger platform for developing new biomimetic materials in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoliang Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Xin Qiao
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Haixu Chen
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Lei Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoman Liu
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Xin Huang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
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6
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Lin Z, Beneyton T, Baret JC, Martin N. Coacervate Droplets for Synthetic Cells. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300496. [PMID: 37462244 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The design and construction of synthetic cells - human-made microcompartments that mimic features of living cells - have experienced a real boom in the past decade. While many efforts have been geared toward assembling membrane-bounded compartments, coacervate droplets produced by liquid-liquid phase separation have emerged as an alternative membrane-free compartmentalization paradigm. Here, the dual role of coacervate droplets in synthetic cell research is discussed: encapsulated within membrane-enclosed compartments, coacervates act as surrogates of membraneless organelles ubiquitously found in living cells; alternatively, they can be viewed as crowded cytosol-like chassis for constructing integrated synthetic cells. After introducing key concepts of coacervation and illustrating the chemical diversity of coacervate systems, their physicochemical properties and resulting bioinspired functions are emphasized. Moving from suspensions of free floating coacervates, the two nascent roles of these droplets in synthetic cell research are highlighted: organelle-like modules and cytosol-like templates. Building the discussion on recent studies from the literature, the potential of coacervate droplets to assemble integrated synthetic cells capable of multiple life-inspired functions is showcased. Future challenges that are still to be tackled in the field are finally discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Lin
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Thomas Beneyton
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Baret
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Nicolas Martin
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
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7
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de Haas R, Ganar KA, Deshpande S, de Vries R. pH-Responsive Elastin-Like Polypeptide Designer Condensates. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:45336-45344. [PMID: 37707425 PMCID: PMC10540133 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c11314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are macromolecular complexes formed by liquid-liquid phase separation. They regulate key biological functions by reversibly compartmentalizing molecules in cells, in a stimulus-dependent manner. Designing stimuli-responsive synthetic condensates is crucial for engineering compartmentalized synthetic cells that are able to mimic spatiotemporal control over the biochemical reactions. Here, we design and test a family of condensate-forming, pH-responsive elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) that form condensates above critical pH values ranging between 4 and 7, for temperatures between 20 and at 37 °C. We show that the condensation occurs rapidly, in sharp pH intervals (ΔpH < 0.3). For eventual applications in engineering synthetic cell compartments, we demonstrate that multiple types of pH-responsive ELPs can form mixed condensates inside micron-sized vesicles. When genetically fused with enzymes, receptors, and signaling molecules, these pH-responsive ELPs could be potentially used as pH-switchable functional condensates for spatially controlling biochemistry in engineered synthetic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robbert
J. de Haas
- Department of Physical Chemistry
and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and
Research, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ketan A. Ganar
- Department of Physical Chemistry
and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and
Research, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Siddharth Deshpande
- Department of Physical Chemistry
and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and
Research, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Renko de Vries
- Department of Physical Chemistry
and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and
Research, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
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8
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Kerivan EM, Tobin L, Basil M, Reinemann DN. Molecular and cellular level characterization of cytoskeletal mechanics using a quartz crystal microbalance. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2023; 80:100-111. [PMID: 36891731 PMCID: PMC10272097 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21752] [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: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is an instrument that has the ability to measure nanogram-level changes in mass on a quartz sensor and is traditionally used to probe surface interactions and assembly kinetics of synthetic systems. The addition of dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) facilitates the study of viscoelastic systems, such as those relevant to molecular and cellular mechanics. Due to real-time recording of frequency and dissipation changes and single protein-level precision, the QCM-D is effective in interrogating the viscoelastic properties of cell surfaces and in vitro cellular components. However, few studies focus on the application of this instrument to cytoskeletal systems, whose dynamic parts create interesting emergent mechanics as ensembles that drive essential tasks, such as division and motility. Here, we review the ability of the QCM-D to characterize key kinetic and mechanical features of the cytoskeleton through in vitro reconstitution and cellular assays and outline how QCM-D studies can yield insightful mechanical data alone and in tandem with other biophysical characterization techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M. Kerivan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 USA
| | - Lyle Tobin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 USA
| | - Mihir Basil
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 USA
| | - Dana N. Reinemann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 USA
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9
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Liang Y, Ogawa S, Inaba H, Matsuura K. Dramatic morphological changes in liposomes induced by peptide nanofibers reversibly polymerized and depolymerized by the photoisomerization of spiropyran. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1137885. [PMID: 37065452 PMCID: PMC10101338 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1137885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytoskeletons such as microtubules and actin filaments are natural protein assemblies, which dynamically control cellular morphology by reversible polymerization/depolymerization. Recently, the control of polymerization/depolymerization of fibrous protein/peptide assemblies by external stimuli has attracted significant attention. However, as far as we know, the creation of an “artificial cytoskeleton” that reversibly controls the polymerization/depolymerization of peptide nanofiber in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) has not been reported. Here, we developed peptide nanofiber self-assembled from spiropyran (SP)-modified β-sheet-forming peptides, which can be reversibly polymerized/depolymerized by light. The reversible photoisomerization of the SP-modified peptide (FKFECSPKFE) to the merocyanine-peptide (FKFECMCKFE) by ultraviolet (UV) and visible light irradiation was confirmed by UV–visible spectroscopy. Confocal laser scanning microscopy with thioflavin T staining and transmission electron microscopy of the peptides showed that the SP-peptide formed β-sheet nanofibers, whereas the photoisomerization to the merocyanine-peptide almost completely dissociated the nanofibers. The merocyanine peptide was encapsulated in spherical GUVs comprising of phospholipids as artificial cell models. Interestingly, the morphology of GUV encapsulating the merocyanine-peptide dramatically changed into worm-like vesicles by the photoisomerization to the SP-modified peptide, and then reversibly changed into spherical GUV by the photoisomerization to the MC-modified peptide. These dynamic morphological changes in GUVs by light can be applied as components of a molecular robot with artificially controlled cellular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingbing Liang
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering Tottori University Koyama-Minami 4-101, Tottori, Japan
| | - Shigesaburo Ogawa
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering Tottori University Koyama-Minami 4-101, Tottori, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Inaba
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering Tottori University Koyama-Minami 4-101, Tottori, Japan
- Centre for Research on Green Sustainable Chemistry Tottori University Koyama-Minami 4-101, Tottori, Japan
| | - Kazunori Matsuura
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering Tottori University Koyama-Minami 4-101, Tottori, Japan
- Centre for Research on Green Sustainable Chemistry Tottori University Koyama-Minami 4-101, Tottori, Japan
- *Correspondence: Kazunori Matsuura,
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10
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Ganar KA, Leijten L, Deshpande S. Actinosomes: Condensate-Templated Containers for Engineering Synthetic Cells. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:2869-2879. [PMID: 35948429 PMCID: PMC9396703 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Engineering synthetic cells has a broad appeal, from
understanding
living cells to designing novel biomaterials for therapeutics, biosensing,
and hybrid interfaces. A key prerequisite to creating synthetic cells
is a three-dimensional container capable of orchestrating biochemical
reactions. In this study, we present an easy and effective technique
to make cell-sized porous containers, coined actinosomes, using the
interactions between biomolecular condensates and the actin cytoskeleton.
This approach uses polypeptide/nucleoside triphosphate condensates
and localizes actin monomers on their surface. By triggering actin
polymerization and using osmotic gradients, the condensates are transformed
into containers, with the boundary made up of actin filaments and
polylysine polymers. We show that the guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-to-adenosine
triphosphate (ATP) ratio is a crucial parameter for forming actinosomes:
insufficient ATP prevents condensate dissolution, while excess ATP
leads to undesired crumpling. Permeability studies reveal the porous
surface of actinosomes, allowing small molecules to pass through while
restricting bigger macromolecules within the interior. We show the
functionality of actinosomes as bioreactors by carrying out in vitro protein translation within them. Actinosomes are
a handy addition to the synthetic cell platform, with appealing properties
like ease of production, inherent encapsulation capacity, and a potentially
active surface to trigger signaling cascades and form multicellular
assemblies, conceivably useful for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketan A Ganar
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Liza Leijten
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Siddharth Deshpande
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
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11
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Li C, Zhang X, Dong M, Han X. Progress on Crowding Effect in Cell-like Structures. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:593. [PMID: 35736300 PMCID: PMC9228500 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12060593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Several biological macromolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides, occupy about 30% of the space in cells, resulting in a crowded macromolecule environment. The crowding effect within cells exerts an impact on the functions of biological components, the assembly behavior of biomacromolecules, and the thermodynamics and kinetics of metabolic reactions. Cell-like structures provide confined and independent compartments for studying the working mechanisms of cells, which can be used to study the physiological functions arising from the crowding effect of macromolecules in cells. This article mainly summarizes the progress of research on the macromolecular crowding effects in cell-like structures. It includes the effects of this crowding on actin assembly behavior, tubulin aggregation behavior, and gene expression. The challenges and future trends in this field are presented at the end of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Da-Zhi Street, Harbin 150001, China; (C.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xiangxiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Da-Zhi Street, Harbin 150001, China; (C.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Mingdong Dong
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Xiaojun Han
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Da-Zhi Street, Harbin 150001, China; (C.L.); (X.Z.)
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