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Kanaparthi D, Lampe M, Krohn JH, Zhu B, Hildebrand F, Boesen T, Klingl A, Phapale P, Lueders T. The reproduction process of Gram-positive protocells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7075. [PMID: 38528088 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57369-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Protocells are believed to have existed on early Earth prior to the emergence of prokaryotes. Due to their rudimentary nature, it is widely accepted that these protocells lacked intracellular mechanisms to regulate their reproduction, thereby relying heavily on environmental conditions. To understand protocell reproduction, we adopted a top-down approach of transforming a Gram-positive bacterium into a lipid-vesicle-like state. In this state, cells lacked intrinsic mechanisms to regulate their morphology or reproduction, resembling theoretical propositions on protocells. Subsequently, we grew these proxy-protocells under the environmental conditions of early Earth to understand their impact on protocell reproduction. Despite the lack of molecular biological coordination, cells in our study underwent reproduction in an organized manner. The method and the efficiency of their reproduction can be explained by an interplay between the physicochemical properties of cell constituents and environmental conditions. While the overall reproductive efficiency in these top-down modified cells was lower than their counterparts with a cell wall, the process always resulted in viable daughter cells. Given the simplicity and suitability of this reproduction method to early Earth environmental conditions, we propose that primitive protocells likely reproduced by a process like the one we described below.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dheeraj Kanaparthi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Munich, Germany.
- Chair of Ecological Microbiology, BayCeer, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
- Excellenzcluster Origins, Garching, Germany.
| | - Marko Lampe
- Advanced Light Microscopy Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan-Hagen Krohn
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Munich, Germany
- Excellenzcluster Origins, Garching, Germany
| | - Baoli Zhu
- Chair of Ecological Microbiology, BayCeer, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Regions, CAS, Changsha, China
| | | | - Thomas Boesen
- Department of Biosciences, Center for Electromicrobiology, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Andreas Klingl
- Department of Biology, LMU, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Prasad Phapale
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tillmann Lueders
- Chair of Ecological Microbiology, BayCeer, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
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2
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Ben Trad F, Carré B, Delacotte J, Lemaître F, Guille-Collignon M, Arbault S, Sojic N, Labbé E, Buriez O. Electrochemiluminescent imaging of a NADH-based enzymatic reaction confined within giant liposomes. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024:10.1007/s00216-024-05133-y. [PMID: 38227016 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-024-05133-y] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Herein, transient releases either from NADH-loaded liposomes or enzymatic reactions confined in giant liposomes were imaged by electrochemiluminescence (ECL). NADH was first encapsulated with the [Ru(bpy)3]2+ luminophore inside giant liposomes (around 100 µm in diameter) made of DOPC/DOPG phospholipids (i.e., 1,2-dioleolyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) sodium salt) on their inner- and outer-leaflet, respectively. Then, membrane permeabilization triggered upon contact between the liposome and a polarized ITO electrode surface and ECL was locally generated. Combination of amperometry, photoluminescence, and ECL provided a comprehensive monitoring of a single liposome opening and content release. In a second part, the work is focused on the ECL characterization of NADH produced by glucose dehydrogenase (GDH)-catalyzed oxidation of glucose in the confined environment delimited by the liposome membrane. This was achieved by encapsulating both the ECL and catalytic reagents (i.e., the GDH, glucose, NAD+, and [Ru(bpy)3]2+) in the liposome. In accordance with the results obtained, NADH can be used as a biologically compatible ECL co-reactant to image membrane permeabilization events of giant liposomes. Under these conditions, the ECL signal duration was rather long (around 10 s). Since many enzymatic reactions involve the NADH/NAD+ redox couple, this work opens up interesting prospects for the characterization of enzymatic reactions taking place notably in artificial cells and in confined environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Ben Trad
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Bixente Carré
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Delacotte
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Lemaître
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Manon Guille-Collignon
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Arbault
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Neso Sojic
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255 CNRS, 33400, Talence, France.
| | - Eric Labbé
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Buriez
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France.
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3
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Hagemans F, Camerin F, Hazra N, Lammertz J, Dux F, Del Monte G, Laukkanen OV, Crassous JJ, Zaccarelli E, Richtering W. Buckling and Interfacial Deformation of Fluorescent Poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) Microgel Capsules. ACS NANO 2023; 17:7257-7271. [PMID: 37053566 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c10164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Hollow microgels are fascinating model systems at the crossover between polymer vesicles, emulsions, and colloids as they deform, interpenetrate, and eventually shrink at higher volume fraction or when subjected to an external stress. Here, we introduce a system consisting of microgels with a micrometer-sized cavity enabling a straightforward characterization in situ using fluorescence microscopy techniques. Similarly to elastic capsules, these systems are found to reversibly buckle above a critical osmotic pressure, conversely to smaller hollow microgels, which were previously reported to deswell at high volume fraction. Simulations performed on monomer-resolved in silico hollow microgels confirm the buckling transition and show that the presented microgels can be described with a thin shell model theory. When brought to an interface, these microgels, that we define as microgel capsules, strongly deform and we thus propose to utilize them to locally probe interfacial properties within a theoretical framework adapted from the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) theory. Besides their capability to sense their environment and to address fundamental questions on the elasticity and permeability of microgel systems, microgel capsules can be further envisioned as model systems mimicking anisotropic responsive biological systems such as red blood and epithelial cells thanks to the possibility offered by microgels to be synthesized with custom-designed properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Hagemans
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabrizio Camerin
- CNR-ISC, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le A. Moro 2 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Nabanita Hazra
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Janik Lammertz
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Frédéric Dux
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Giovanni Del Monte
- CNR-ISC, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le A. Moro 2 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Olli-Ville Laukkanen
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Koivurannantie 1, 40400 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Jérôme J Crassous
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Emanuela Zaccarelli
- CNR-ISC, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le A. Moro 2 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Walter Richtering
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
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4
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Ben Trad F, Wieczny V, Delacotte J, Morel M, Guille-Collignon M, Arbault S, Lemaître F, Sojic N, Labbé E, Buriez O. Dynamic Electrochemiluminescence Imaging of Single Giant Liposome Opening at Polarized Electrodes. Anal Chem 2022; 94:1686-1696. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Ben Trad
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Vincent Wieczny
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Delacotte
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Morel
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Manon Guille-Collignon
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Arbault
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248 CNRS, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Frédéric Lemaître
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Neso Sojic
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR CNRS 5255, 33607 Pessac, France
| | - Eric Labbé
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Buriez
- PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
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5
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Biocatalytic self-assembled synthetic vesicles and coacervates: From single compartment to artificial cells. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 299:102566. [PMID: 34864354 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2021.102566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Compartmentalization is an intrinsic feature of living cells that allows spatiotemporal control over the biochemical pathways expressed in them. Over the years, a library of compartmentalized systems has been generated, which includes nano to micrometer sized biomimetic vesicles derived from lipids, amphiphilic block copolymers, peptides, and nanoparticles. Biocatalytic vesicles have been developed using a simple bag containing enzyme design of liposomes to multienzymes immobilized multi-vesicular compartments for artificial cell generation. Additionally, enzymes were also entrapped in membrane-less coacervate droplets to mimic the cytoplasmic macromolecular crowding mechanisms. Here, we have discussed different types of single and multicompartment systems, emphasizing their recent developments as biocatalytic self-assembled structures using recent examples. Importantly, we have summarized the strategies in the development of the self-assembled structure to improvise their adaptivity and flexibility for enzyme immobilization. Finally, we have presented the use of biocatalytic assemblies in mimicking different aspects of living cells, which further carves the path for the engineering of a minimal cell.
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6
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Zhu J, Gong Z, Yang C, Yan Q. Reshaping Membrane Polymorphism of Polymer Vesicles through Dynamic Gas Exchange. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:20183-20191. [PMID: 34813319 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c07838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The quest for a universal method to shape the vesicular morphology in dynamic and diversified manners is a challenging topic of cell mimicry. Here we present a simple gas exchange strategy that can direct the deformation movements of polymer vesicles. Such vesicles are assembled by a class of gas-based dynamic polymers, where CO2 connects between the frustrated Lewis pair via dynamic gas-bridged bonds. Use of other competitive gases (N2O, SO2, or C2H4) to in situ exchange the CO2 linkages can change the polymer structure and drive the membrane to proceed with three fundamental movements, including membrane stretching, membrane incurvation, and membrane protrusion, thus remolding the shapes of polymersomes. The choices of gas types, concentrations, and combinations are crucial to adjusting the vesicle evolution, local change of membrane curvature, and anisotropic geometrical transformation. This will become a generalized strategy to control the vesicular polymorphism and deformable behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiannan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zehao Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Cuiqin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Qiang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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7
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Giuliano CB, Cvjetan N, Ayache J, Walde P. Multivesicular Vesicles: Preparation and Applications. CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/syst.202000049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Camila Betterelli Giuliano
- Elvesys – Microfluidics Innovation Center 172 Rue de Charonne 75011 Paris France
- University of Strasbourg CNRS ISIS UMR 7006 67000 Strasbourg France
| | - Nemanja Cvjetan
- ETH Zürich Department of Materials Laboratory for Multifunctional Materials Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Jessica Ayache
- Elvesys – Microfluidics Innovation Center 172 Rue de Charonne 75011 Paris France
| | - Peter Walde
- ETH Zürich Department of Materials Laboratory for Multifunctional Materials Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5 8093 Zürich Switzerland
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8
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Kostina NY, Wagner AM, Haraszti T, Rahimi K, Xiao Q, Klein ML, Percec V, Rodriguez-Emmenegger C. Unraveling topology-induced shape transformations in dendrimersomes. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:254-267. [PMID: 32789415 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01097a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The vital functions of cell membranes require their ability to quickly change shape to perform complex tasks such as motion, division, endocytosis, and apoptosis. Membrane curvature in cells is modulated by very complex processes such as changes in lipid composition, the oligomerization of curvature-scaffolding proteins, and the reversible insertion of protein regions that act like wedges in the membrane. But, could much simpler mechanisms support membrane shape transformation? In this work, we demonstrate how the change of amphiphile topology in the bilayer can drive shape transformations of cell membrane models. To tackle this, we have designed and synthesized new types of amphiphiles-Janus dendrimers-that self-assemble into uni-, multilamellar, or smectic-ordered vesicles, named dendrimersomes. We synthesized Janus dendrimers containing a photo-labile bond that upon UV-Vis irradiation cleavage lose a part of the hydrophilic dendron. This leads to a change from a cylindrically to a wedge-shaped amphiphile. The high mobility of these dendrimers allows for the concentration of the wedge-shaped amphiphiles and the generation of transmembrane asymmetries. The concentration of the wedges and their rate of segregation allowed control of the budding and generation of structures such as tubules and high genus vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Yu Kostina
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Anna M Wagner
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Tamás Haraszti
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Khosrow Rahimi
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Qi Xiao
- Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6323, USA and Institute of Computational Molecular Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Michael L Klein
- Institute of Computational Molecular Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Virgil Percec
- Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6323, USA
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9
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Pearce S, Perez-Mercader J. PISA: construction of self-organized and self-assembled functional vesicular structures. Polym Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0py00564a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PISA reaction networks alone, integrated with other networks, or designing properties into the amphiphiles confer functionalities to the supramolecular assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Pearce
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Origins of Life Initiative
- Harvard University
- Cambridge
- USA
| | - Juan Perez-Mercader
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Origins of Life Initiative
- Harvard University
- Cambridge
- USA
- Santa Fe Institute
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10
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Has
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
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11
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Imam ZI, Bachand GD. Multicomponent and Multiphase Lipid Nanotubes Formed by Gliding Microtubule-Kinesin Motility and Phase-Separated Giant Unilamellar Vesicles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:16281-16289. [PMID: 31730350 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b02637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cytoskeletal filaments and motor proteins are critical components in the transport and reorganization of membrane-based organelles in eukaryotic cells. Previous studies have recapitulated the microtubule-kinesin transport system in vitro to dynamically assemble large-scale nanotube networks from multilamellar liposomes and polymersomes. Moving toward more biologically relevant systems, the present work examines whether lipid nanotube (LNT) networks can be generated from giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and subsequently characterizes how the lipid composition may be tuned to alter the dynamics, structure, and fluidity of networks. Here, we describe a two-step process in which microtubule motility (i) drives the transport and aggregation of GUVs to form structures with a decreased energy barrier for LNT formation and (ii) extrudes LNTs without destroying parent GUVs, allowing for the formation of large LNT networks. We further show that the lipid composition of the GUV influences formation and morphology of the extruded LNTs and associated networks. For example, LNTs formed from phase-separated GUVs (e.g., liquid-solid phase-separated and coexisting liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered phase-separated) display morphologies related to the specific phase behavior reflective of the parent GUVs. Overall, the ability to form nanotubes from compositionally complex vesicles opens the door to generating lipid networks that more closely mimic the structure and function of those found in cellular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary I Imam
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies , Sandia National Laboratories , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87185 , United States
| | - George D Bachand
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies , Sandia National Laboratories , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87185 , United States
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12
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Piontek MC, Lira RB, Roos WH. Active probing of the mechanical properties of biological and synthetic vesicles. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2019; 1865:129486. [PMID: 31734458 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2019.129486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interest in mechanics of synthetic and biological vesicles has been continuously growing during the last decades. Liposomes serve as model systems for investigating fundamental membrane processes and properties. More recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been investigated mechanically as well. EVs are widely studied in fundamental and applied sciences, but their material properties remained elusive until recently. Elucidating the mechanical properties of vesicles is essential to unveil the mechanisms behind a variety of biological processes, e.g. budding, vesiculation and cellular uptake mechanisms. SCOPE OF REVIEW The importance of mechanobiology for studies of vesicles and membranes is discussed, as well as the different available techniques to probe their mechanical properties. In particular, the mechanics of vesicles and membranes as obtained by nanoindentation, micropipette aspiration, optical tweezers, electrodeformation and electroporation experiments is addressed. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS EVs and liposomes possess an astonishing rich, diverse behavior. To better understand their properties, and for optimization of their applications in nanotechnology, an improved understanding of their mechanical properties is needed. Depending on the size of the vesicles and the specific scientific question, different techniques can be chosen for their mechanical characterization. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Understanding the mechanical properties of vesicles is necessary to gain deeper insight in the fundamental biological mechanisms involved in vesicle generation and cellular uptake. This furthermore facilitates technological applications such as using vesicles as targeted drug delivery vehicles. Liposome studies provide insight into fundamental membrane processes and properties, whereas the role and functioning of EVs in biology and medicine are increasingly elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa C Piontek
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Rafael B Lira
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Wouter H Roos
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
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13
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Dimova R. Giant Vesicles and Their Use in Assays for Assessing Membrane Phase State, Curvature, Mechanics, and Electrical Properties. Annu Rev Biophys 2019; 48:93-119. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-052118-115342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Giant unilamellar vesicles represent a promising and extremely useful model biomembrane system for systematic measurements of mechanical, thermodynamic, electrical, and rheological properties of lipid bilayers as a function of membrane composition, surrounding media, and temperature. The most important advantage of giant vesicles over other model membrane systems is that the membrane responses to external factors such as ions, (macro)molecules, hydrodynamic flows, or electromagnetic fields can be directly observed under the microscope. Here, we briefly review approaches for giant vesicle preparation and describe several assays used for deducing the membrane phase state and measuring a number of material properties, with further emphasis on membrane reshaping and curvature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumiana Dimova
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
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14
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Wu G, Liu X, Zhou P, Wang L, Hegazy M, Huang X, Huang Y. A facile approach for the reduction of 4‑nitrophenol and degradation of congo red using gold nanoparticles or laccase decorated hybrid inorganic nanoparticles/polymer-biomacromolecules vesicles. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2019; 94:524-533. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2018.09.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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15
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Cheng G, Pérez-Mercader J. Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly for Artificial Biology: Opportunities and Challenges. Macromol Rapid Commun 2018; 40:e1800513. [DOI: 10.1002/marc.201800513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gong Cheng
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Origins of Life Initiative; Harvard University; 20 Oxford Street Cambridge MA 02138 USA
| | - Juan Pérez-Mercader
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Origins of Life Initiative; Harvard University; 20 Oxford Street Cambridge MA 02138 USA
- Santa Fe Institute; Santa Fe NM 87501 USA
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16
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Yu Q, Othman S, Dasgupta S, Auth T, Gompper G. Nanoparticle wrapping at small non-spherical vesicles: curvatures at play. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:6445-6458. [PMID: 29565057 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr08856f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles in biological systems encounter lipid-bilayer membranes as barriers. They interact with plasma membranes, membranous organelles, such as the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus, the nucleus, and intracellular and extracellular vesicles, such as autophagosomes, lysosomes, and exosomes. Extracellular vesicles have recently attracted particular attention, as they are involved in the transmission of biological signals and as regulators for biological processes. For example, exosomes, small vesicles containing proteins, mRNA, and miRNA, that are released by cells into the extracellular environment, have been suggested to participate in tumor metastasis. Furthermore, vesicles can be applied as targeted-drug-delivery systems. We systematically characterize wrapping of spherical nanoparticles that enter and exit vesicles, depending on particle size, vesicle size, vesicle reduced volume, and membrane spontaneous curvature. We predict the complex wrapping behavior, in particular for large particle-to-vesicle size ratios, where the shape changes of the free membrane contribute significantly to the deformation energy and where nanoparticle wrapping transitions and vesicle shape transitions are coupled. Partial-wrapped membrane-bound particles impose boundary conditions on the membrane that stabilise oblates and stomatocytes for particle entry, and prolates and stomatocytes for particle exit. Our results suggest that nanoparticles may stimulate autophagocytic engulfment, which would facilitate transport of the nanoparticles into lysosomes and would lead to subsequent degradation of nanoparticle-attached proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfen Yu
- Theoretical Soft Matter and Biophysics, Institute of Complex Systems and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.
| | - Sameh Othman
- Theoretical Soft Matter and Biophysics, Institute of Complex Systems and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.
| | - Sabyasachi Dasgupta
- Theoretical Soft Matter and Biophysics, Institute of Complex Systems and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany. and Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 11899 Singapore
| | - Thorsten Auth
- Theoretical Soft Matter and Biophysics, Institute of Complex Systems and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.
| | - Gerhard Gompper
- Theoretical Soft Matter and Biophysics, Institute of Complex Systems and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.
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17
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Alvares DS, Wilke N, Ruggiero Neto J. Effect of N-terminal acetylation on lytic activity and lipid-packing perturbation induced in model membranes by a mastoparan-like peptide. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1860:737-748. [PMID: 29287697 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
L1A (IDGLKAIWKKVADLLKNT-NH2) is a peptide that displays a selective antibacterial activity to Gram-negative bacteria without being hemolytic. Its lytic activity in anionic lipid vesicles was strongly enhanced when its N-terminus was acetylated (ac-L1A). This modification seems to favor the perturbation of the lipid core of the bilayer by the peptide, resulting in higher membrane lysis. In the present study, we used lipid monolayers and bilayers as membrane model systems to explore the impact of acetylation on the L1A lytic activity and its correlation with lipid-packing perturbation. The lytic activity investigated in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) revealed that the acetylated peptide permeated the membrane at higher rates compared with L1A, and modified the membrane's mechanical properties, promoting shape changes. The peptide secondary structure and the changes in the environment of the tryptophan upon adsorption to large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) were monitored by circular dichroism (CD) and red-edge excitation shift experiments (REES), respectively. These experiments showed that the N-terminus acetylation has an important effect on both, peptide secondary structure and peptide insertion into the bilayer. This was also confirmed by experiments of insertion into lipid monolayers. Compression isotherms for peptide/lipid mixed films revealed that ac-L1A dragged lipid molecules to the more disordered phase, generating a more favorable environment and preventing the lipid molecules from forming stiff films. Enthalpy changes in the main phase transition of the lipid membrane upon peptide insertion suggested that the acetylated peptide induced higher impact than the non-acetylated one on the thermotropic behavior of anionic vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayane S Alvares
- UNESP - São Paulo State University, IBILCE, Department of Physics, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Natalia Wilke
- Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba (CIQUIBIC-CONICET), Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidade Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - João Ruggiero Neto
- UNESP - São Paulo State University, IBILCE, Department of Physics, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
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18
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Vlahovska PM. Voltage-morphology coupling in biomimetic membranes: dynamics of giant vesicles in applied electric fields. SOFT MATTER 2015; 11:7232-7236. [PMID: 26314545 DOI: 10.1039/c5sm01050k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
An electric potential difference across the plasma membrane is common to all living cells and is essential to physiological functions such as the generation of action potentials for cell-to-cell communication. While the basics of cell electrical activity are well established (e.g. the Hodgkin-Huxley model of the action potential), the reciprocal coupling of voltage and membrane deformation has received limited attention. In recent years, studies of biomimetic membranes in externally applied electric fields have revealed a plethora of intriguing dynamics (formation of edges, pearling, and phase separation) that challenge the current understanding of membrane electromechanics.
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19
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Dao TPT, Fernandes F, Er-Rafik M, Salva R, Schmutz M, Brûlet A, Prieto M, Sandre O, Le Meins JF. Phase Separation and Nanodomain Formation in Hybrid Polymer/Lipid Vesicles. ACS Macro Lett 2015; 4:182-186. [PMID: 35596428 DOI: 10.1021/mz500748f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hybrid polymer/lipid large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) were studied by small angle neutron scattering (SANS), time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET), and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). For the first time in hybrid vesicles, evidence for phase separation at the nanoscale was obtained, leading to the formation of stable nanodomains enriched either in lipid or polymer. This stability was allowed by using vesicle-forming copolymer with a membrane thickness close to the lipid bilayer thickness, thereby minimizing the hydrophobic mismatch at the domain periphery. Hybrid giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) with the same composition have been previously shown to be unstable and susceptible to fission, suggesting a role of curvature in the stabilization of nanodomains in these structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. P. Tuyen Dao
- University of Bordeaux, LCPO UMR 5629, 16 avenue Pey Berland, F-33600 Pessac, France
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères
Organiques,
UMR 5629, F-33600, Pessac, France
- Centro
de Química-Física Molecular and Institute of Nanoscience
and Nanotechnology, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - F. Fernandes
- Centro
de Química-Física Molecular and Institute of Nanoscience
and Nanotechnology, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M. Er-Rafik
- Institut
Charles Sadron, UPR 22 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 23 rue
du Loess, 67034 Strasbourg, France
| | - R. Salva
- University of Bordeaux, LCPO UMR 5629, 16 avenue Pey Berland, F-33600 Pessac, France
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères
Organiques,
UMR 5629, F-33600, Pessac, France
| | - M. Schmutz
- Institut
Charles Sadron, UPR 22 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 23 rue
du Loess, 67034 Strasbourg, France
| | - A. Brûlet
- Laboratoire
Léon Brillouin, UMR12 CEA-CNRS, CEA Saclay, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - M. Prieto
- Centro
de Química-Física Molecular and Institute of Nanoscience
and Nanotechnology, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - O. Sandre
- University of Bordeaux, LCPO UMR 5629, 16 avenue Pey Berland, F-33600 Pessac, France
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères
Organiques,
UMR 5629, F-33600, Pessac, France
| | - J.-F. Le Meins
- University of Bordeaux, LCPO UMR 5629, 16 avenue Pey Berland, F-33600 Pessac, France
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères
Organiques,
UMR 5629, F-33600, Pessac, France
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20
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Yoshida K, Fujii Y, Nishio I. Deformation of Lipid Membranes Containing Photoresponsive Molecules in Response to Ultraviolet Light. J Phys Chem B 2014; 118:4115-21. [DOI: 10.1021/jp412710f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kazunari Yoshida
- Department of Physics and Mathematics, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, 5-10-1 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5258, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Fujii
- Department of Physics and Mathematics, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, 5-10-1 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5258, Japan
| | - Izumi Nishio
- Department of Physics and Mathematics, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, 5-10-1 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5258, Japan
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21
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van Oers MCM, Rutjes FPJT, van Hest JCM. Tubular Polymersomes: A Cross-Linker-Induced Shape Transformation. J Am Chem Soc 2013; 135:16308-11. [DOI: 10.1021/ja408754z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthijs C. M. van Oers
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Floris P. J. T. Rutjes
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan C. M. van Hest
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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22
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Membrane fusion and vesicular transformation induced by Alzheimer's amyloid beta. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2013; 1828:1314-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2013.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Revised: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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23
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Shimanouchi T, Umakoshi H, Kuboi R. Growth behavior of giant vesicles using the electroformation method: Effect of proteins on swelling and deformation. J Colloid Interface Sci 2013; 394:269-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2012.11.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Revised: 11/24/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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24
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Li, X, Vlahovska PM, Karniadakis GE. Continuum- and particle-based modeling of shapes and dynamics of red blood cells in health and disease. SOFT MATTER 2013; 9:28-37. [PMID: 23230450 PMCID: PMC3516861 DOI: 10.1039/c2sm26891d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
We review recent advances in multiscale modeling of the mechanics of healthy and diseased red blood cells (RBCs), and blood flow in the microcirculation. We cover the traditional continuum-based methods but also particle-based methods used to model both the RBCs and the blood plasma. We highlight examples of successful simulations of blood flow including malaria and sickle cell anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejin Li,
- Division of Applied Mathematics, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
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25
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Quemeneur F, Quilliet C, Faivre M, Viallat A, Pépin-Donat B. Gel phase vesicles buckle into specific shapes. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2012; 108:108303. [PMID: 22463462 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.108.108303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2010] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Osmotic deflation of giant vesicles in the rippled gel phase P(β') gives rise to a large variety of novel faceted shapes. These shapes are also found from a numerical approach by using an elastic surface model. A shape diagram is proposed based on the model that accounts for the vesicle size and ratios of three mechanical constants: in-plane shear elasticity and compressibility (usually neglected) and out-of-plane bending of the membrane. The comparison between experimental and simulated vesicle morphologies reveals that they are governed by a typical elasticity length, of the order of 1 μm, and must be described with a large Poisson's ratio.
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26
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Jin H, Liu Y, Zheng Y, Huang W, Zhou Y, Yan D. Cytomimetic large-scale vesicle aggregation and fusion based on host-guest interaction. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2012; 28:2066-2072. [PMID: 22129210 DOI: 10.1021/la203857s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we have shown a large-scale cell-mimetic (cytomimetic) aggregation process by using cell-sized polymer vesicles as the building blocks and intervesicular host-guest molecular recognition interactions as the driving force. We first prepared the hyperbranched polymer vesicles named branched polymersomes (BPs) around 5-10 μm through the aqueous self-assembly of a hyperbranched multiarm copolymer of HBPO-star-PEO [HBPO = hyperbranched poly(3-ethyl-3-oxetanemethanol); PEO = poly(ethylene oxide)]. Subsequently, adamantane-functionalized BPs (Ada-BPs) or β-cyclodextrin-functionalized BPs (CD-BPs) were prepared through the coassembly of HBPO-star-PEO and Ada-modified HBPO-star-PEO (HBPO-star-PEO-Ada), or of HBPO-star-PEO and CD-modified HBPO-star-PEO (HBPO-star-PEO-CD), respectively. Macroscopic vesicle aggregates were obtained by mixing CD-BPs and Ada-BPs. The intervesicular host-guest recognition interactions between β-CD units in CD-BPs and Ada units in Ada-BPs, which were proved by (1)H nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) spectrum and the fluorescence probe method, are responsible for the vesicle aggregation. Additionally, the vesicle fusion events happened frequently in the process of vesicle aggregation, which were certified by double-labeling fluorescent assay, real-time observation, content mixing assay, and component mixing assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibao Jin
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, PR China
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27
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Cevc G. Rational design of new product candidates: the next generation of highly deformable bilayer vesicles for noninvasive, targeted therapy. J Control Release 2012; 160:135-46. [PMID: 22266051 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2012.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2011] [Revised: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/06/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Amphipat bilayer vesicles are a subgroup of "fat-and-water" mixtures useful as drug carriers. Scrutinising amphipat aggregation in terms of the popular molecular descriptors (esp. the Israelachvili's form-factor or HLB number) is "too static" to foretell reliably and quantitatively bilayer vesicle formation. A better predictor introduced in this work is the effective area per lipid chain (cross-section of a "tail", A(c)), which also correlates, quasi-exponentially, with the ease of bilayer vesicle formation and bilayer deformability. The latter is highest near an uppermost, bilayer-compatible but nearly headgroup independent, A(c)-value reachable on different paths to bilayer solubilisation. The deformable bilayer vesicles class is thus more diverse than had previously been recognised. It includes phospholipid or phospholipid-surfactant blends (1st generation), synergistic phospholipid-amphipat or drug mixtures (2nd generation), and novel (non-phospholipid) amphipat combinations with appropriate effective tail(s) cross-section (3rd generation). Typically, vesicularisation ability and bilayer adaptability of such preparations is proportional, and arguably depends upon, the dynamic and stress-dependent molecular re-arrangement during aggregate formation and bilayer adaptation. In the previously described formulations such re-arrangement took place within or across the mixed lipid bilayer. This work shows that water-soluble molecules redistribution near a bilayer surface can be similarly effective. The new mechanism for bilayer properties modulation thus potentially avoids using harsher molecules in the adaptable vesicles, and can utilise buffers, microbicides, etc., in their stead. A plethora of amphipats can comprise hyper-adaptable vesicles of the new generation, including some that are more stable than the previously recognised ones. Encompassing well-chosen hydrophilic additive(s) and/or drug(s), such hyper-adaptable vesicles can be blended into fluid or semisolid preparations suitable for non-invasive, and potentially parenteral, applications. Pharmacologically relevant examples include, but are not limited to, the composite adaptable phospholipid-free vesicles loaded with anti-mycosis drugs (such as terbinafine), surfactant-free preparations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as indomethacin or ketoprofen), etc. Further interesting implementations of the new technology contain hyper-adaptable drug-free vesicles that suppress human skin inflammation after local application better than hydrocortisone and broadly similar to conventional topical NSAIDs. The carriers described in this work thus provide unprecedented options for cutaneous or targeted subcutaneous deposition of drugs and/or for the sustained delivery of the corresponding carrier associated therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Cevc
- The Advanced Treatments Institute, Gauting, Germany.
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28
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Zhu X, Liu M. Self-assembly and morphology control of new L-glutamic acid-based amphiphilic random copolymers: giant vesicles, vesicles, spheres, and honeycomb film. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2011; 27:12844-12850. [PMID: 21942537 DOI: 10.1021/la202680j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
New amphiphilic random copolymers containing hydrophobic dodecyl (C12) chain and hydrophilic L-glutamic acid were synthesized, and their self-assembly in solution as well as on the solid surfaces was investigated. The self-assembly behavior of these polymers are largely dependent on their hydrophilic and hydrophobic balances. The copolymer with a more hydrophobic alkyl chain (∼90%) self-assembled into giant vesicles with a diameter of several micrometers in a mixed solvent of ethanol and water. When the hydrophobic ratio decreased to ca. 76%, the polymer self-assembled into conventional vesicles with several hundred nanometers. The giant vesicles could be fused in certain conditions, while the conventional vesicles were stable. When the content of the hydrophilic part was further increased, no organized structures were formed. On the other hand, when the copolymer solutions were directly cast on solid substrates such as silicon plates, films with organized nanostructures could also be obtained, the morphology of which depended on solvent selection. When ethanol or methanol was used, spheres were obtained. When dichloromethane was used as the solvent, honeycomb-like morphologies were obtained. These results showed that through appropriate molecular design, random copolymer could self-assemble into various organized structures, which could be regulated through the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance and the solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewang Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Colloids, Interfaces and Chemical Thermodynamics Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100080, China
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29
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Automated tracking and analysis of phospholipid vesicle contours in phase contrast microscopy images. Med Biol Eng Comput 2011; 49:957-66. [PMID: 21710319 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-011-0789-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2010] [Accepted: 06/13/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In this article, we propose a method for automated tracking and analysis of vesicle contours in video sequences acquired by phase contrast microscopy. The contour is determined in each frame of the selected video sequence by detecting the transition between the interior and exterior of the vesicle that is reflected in the image intensity gradients. The resulting contour points are represented in the polar coordinate system, i.e., with uniform angular sampling and with coordinates that originate from the vesicle center of mass, enabling the analysis of the vesicle shape and its membrane fluctuations. By analyzing artificial images with known ground-truth contours, the accuracy and precision of the proposed method was estimated to be 34.1 and 26.9 nm for image signal-to-noise ratio of 23 dB and pixel size of 35 nm, respectively. The proposed method was evaluated on quasi-spherical vesicles made up of different proportions of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and cholesterol and exposed to different temperatures. The results show that the method is robust and efficient in terms of speed and quantitative description of vesicle fluctuations. The magnitude of vesicle membrane fluctuations increased with temperature, while the bending rigidity of the membrane was increasing for temperatures up to 20 °C and decreasing for higher temperatures irrespective of the vesicle molecular structure.
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30
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Meeuwissen SA, Kim KT, Chen Y, Pochan DJ, van Hest JCM. Controlled shape transformation of polymersome stomatocytes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011; 50:7070-3. [PMID: 21688372 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201102167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Silvie A Meeuwissen
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Department of Organic Chemistry, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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31
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Meeuwissen SA, Kim KT, Chen Y, Pochan DJ, van Hest JCM. Controlled Shape Transformation of Polymersome Stomatocytes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201102167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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32
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Le Meins JF, Sandre O, Lecommandoux S. Recent trends in the tuning of polymersomes' membrane properties. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2011; 34:14. [PMID: 21337017 DOI: 10.1140/epje/i2011-11014-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2010] [Accepted: 01/05/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
"Polymersomes" are vesicular structures made from the self-assembly of block copolymers. Such structures present outstanding interest for different applications such as micro- or nano-reactor, drug release or can simply be used as tool for understanding basic biological mechanisms. The use of polymersomes in such applications is strongly related to the way their membrane properties are controlled and tuned either by a precise molecular design of the constituting block or by addition of specific components inside the membrane (formulation approaches). Typical membrane properties of polymersomes obtained from the self-assembly of "coil coil" block copolymer since the end of the nineties will be first briefly reviewed and compared to those of their lipidic analogues, named liposomes. Therefore the different approaches able to modulate their permeability, mechanical properties or ability to release loaded drugs, using macromolecular engineering or formulations, are detailed. To conclude, the most recent advances to modulate the polymersomes' properties and systems that appear very promising especially for biomedical application or for the development of complex and bio-mimetic structures are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-F Le Meins
- ENSCBP, Université de Bordeaux/IPB, 16 avenue Pey Berland, 33607, Pessac Cedex, France.
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33
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Arutchelvi J, Doble M. Mannosylerythritol Lipids: Microbial Production and Their Applications. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-14490-5_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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34
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Domingues TM, Riske KA, Miranda A. Revealing the lytic mechanism of the antimicrobial peptide gomesin by observing giant unilamellar vesicles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2010; 26:11077-11084. [PMID: 20356040 DOI: 10.1021/la100662a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Gomesin (Gm) is a potent cationic antimicrobial peptide from a Brazilian spider. Here we use optical and fluorescence microscopy to study the interaction of Gm, its low active linear analogue, [Ser(2,6,11,15)]-Gm (GmL), and a fluorescent labeled analogue, Gm-Rh, with giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) composed of mixtures of the neutral lipid palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC) with the negatively charged lipid palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylglycerol (POPG) or cholesterol, so as to mimic bacterial and mammalian cell membranes, respectively. We observed the effect of injecting a peptide solution with a micropipet close to GUVs. As a result of peptide-lipid interaction, GUVs burst suddenly. Stable pores, which result in leaky vesicles, were not observed. Fluorescence microscopy of Gm-Rh injected on GUVs confirmed the high peptide/lipid affinity. These facts lead us to suggest that Gm and GmL disrupt the membrane via the carpet model. In order to quantify the lytic activity of both peptides against different membrane composition, a solution of GUVs was diluted in increasing concentration of peptides and the fraction of burst GUVs was measured as a function of time. The lytic activity of both peptides was enhanced by the presence of POPG and decreased upon addition of cholesterol. GmL exhibited lower lytic activity as compared to Gm, but this difference vanished at high POPG molar fraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana M Domingues
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 100 CEP 04044-020, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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35
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Percec V, Wilson DA, Leowanawat P, Wilson CJ, Hughes AD, Kaucher MS, Hammer DA, Levine DH, Kim AJ, Bates FS, Davis KP, Lodge TP, Klein ML, DeVane RH, Aqad E, Rosen BM, Argintaru AO, Sienkowska MJ, Rissanen K, Nummelin S, Ropponen J. Self-Assembly of Janus Dendrimers into Uniform Dendrimersomes and Other Complex Architectures. Science 2010; 328:1009-14. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1185547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 588] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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36
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Dominak LM, Gundermann EL, Keating CD. Microcompartmentation in artificial cells: pH-induced conformational changes alter protein localization. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2010; 26:5697-705. [PMID: 19928785 DOI: 10.1021/la903800e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We report artificial cells in which protein localization in a primitive synthetic model for the cytoplasm is controlled by pH. Our model cells are giant lipid vesicles (GVs, ca. 5-30 microm diameter) with two coexisting aqueous compartments generated by phase separation of an encapsulated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and dextran solution. Proteins are localized to a microcompartment by partitioning between the phases. We quantified the local concentration of fluorescently labeled human serum albumin (HSA) via confocal fluorescence microscopy. At pH 6.5, the labeled HSA was more concentrated in the dextran-rich phase, but at partially/fully denaturing pH (4.1 or 12) it was localized in the PEG-rich phase. This partitioning behavior is consistent with a more expanded, hydrophobic conformation at low and high pH. Labeled HSA could be relocalized from the PEG-rich into the dextran-rich phase domain by increasing the pH from 4.1 to 6.5 to renature the protein. This approach to controlling protein localization does not require extensive reorganization of the vesicle interior; coexisting PEG-rich and dextran-rich compartments are maintained throughout the experiments. It is also quite general; we demonstrated that several other proteins varying in size and isoelectric point also relocalized within compartmentalized artificial cells in response to external pH change. This work presents stimulus-responsive protein relocalization between compartments in an artificial cell; such experimental models can provide a framework for investigating the consequences of protein localization in cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Dominak
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
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37
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Uda RM, Hiraishi E, Ohnishi R, Nakahara Y, Kimura K. Morphological changes in vesicles and release of an encapsulated compound triggered by a photoresponsive Malachite Green leuconitrile derivative. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2010; 26:5444-5450. [PMID: 20297828 DOI: 10.1021/la904190c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Photoinduced morphological changes in phosphatidylcholine vesicles are triggered by a Malachite Green leuconitrile derivative dissolved in the lipidic membrane, and are observed at Malachite Green derivative/lipid ratios <5 mol %. This Malachite Green derivative is a photoresponsive compound that undergoes ionization to afford a positive charge on the molecule by UV irradiation. The Malachite Green derivative exhibits amphiphilicity when ionized photochemically, whereas it behaves as a lipophilic compound under dark conditions. Cryo-transmission electron microscopy was used to determine vesicle morphology. The effects of the Malachite Green derivative on vesicles were studied by dynamic light scattering and fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Irradiation of vesicles containing the Malachite Green derivative induces nonspherical vesicle morphology, fusion of vesicles, and membrane solubilization, depending on conditions. Furthermore, irradiation of the Malachite Green derivative induces the release of a vesicle-encapsulated compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoko M Uda
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Nara National College of Technology, Yata 22, Yamato-koriyama, Nara 639-1080, Japan
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38
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Morita M, Vestergaard M, Hamada T, Takagi M. Real-time observation of model membrane dynamics induced by Alzheimer's amyloid beta. Biophys Chem 2010; 147:81-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2009.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2009] [Revised: 12/11/2009] [Accepted: 12/13/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Niri VH, Flatt BK, Fakhraai Z, Forrest JA. Simultaneous monitoring of electroformation of phospholipid vesicles by quartz crystal microbalance and optical microscopy. Chem Phys Lipids 2010; 163:36-41. [PMID: 19883636 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2009.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2009] [Revised: 10/15/2009] [Accepted: 10/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The electroformation of giant vesicles from 1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphocholine (DMPC) was monitored using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and optical microscopy, simultaneously using a novel sample cell design. A gold-coated QCM crystal was used as one of the electrodes and an Indium-tin-oxide (ITO)-coated glass slide was used as the second electrode for electroformation. Increases in the frequency and decreases in the dissipation were observed immediately upon voltage application between the two electrodes, indicating the loss of lipid from the QCM surface. Concurrently, we observed vesicles on the QCM electrode surface by differential interference contrast (DIC)-optical microscopy. The lipid-coated substrates were measured with AFM at various stages in the electroformation, and a significant change in the morphology of the lipid film was observed. Ellipsometry was used to find the average thickness of lipid film. The QCM data were fitted to a viscoelastic model to determine the viscoelastic properties and time dependence of the film thickness. All methods used to determine film thickness give values in reasonable quantitative agreement. Differences between the methods are consistent with what one might expect due to what is actually measured in the individual techniques. The comparison between mass loss and observed vesicles suggest that the vesicles formed are first localized to the substrate and then slowly released into the solution. By comparing the mass lost from the lipid film, to the total surface area of lipid vesicles observed, it is apparent that only a relatively small fraction of the lipid goes into the production of unilamellar vesicles with sizes detectable with optical microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- V H Niri
- Department of Physics and Guelph-Waterloo Physics Institute, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
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40
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Vlahovska PM. Nonequilibrium Dynamics of Lipid Membranes: Deformation and Stability in Electric Fields. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381266-7.00005-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
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41
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Riske KA, Sudbrack TP, Archilha NL, Uchoa AF, Schroder AP, Marques CM, Baptista MS, Itri R. Giant vesicles under oxidative stress induced by a membrane-anchored photosensitizer. Biophys J 2009; 97:1362-70. [PMID: 19720024 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2009.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2009] [Revised: 06/14/2009] [Accepted: 06/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We have synthesized the amphiphile photosensitizer PE-porph consisting of a porphyrin bound to a lipid headgroup. We studied by optical microscopy the response to light irradiation of giant unilamellar vesicles of mixtures of unsaturated phosphatidylcholine lipids and PE-porph. In this configuration, singlet oxygen is produced at the bilayer surface by the anchored porphyrin. Under irradiation, the PE-porph decorated giant unilamellar vesicles exhibit a rapid increase in surface area with concomitant morphological changes. We quantify the surface area increase of the bilayers as a function of time and photosensitizer molar fraction. We attribute this expansion to hydroperoxide formation by the reaction of the singlet oxygen with the unsaturated bonds. Considering data from numeric simulations of relative area increase per phospholipid oxidized (15%), we measure the efficiency of the oxidative reactions. We conclude that for every 270 singlet oxygen molecules produced by the layer of anchored porphyrins, one eventually reacts to generate a hydroperoxide species. Remarkably, the integrity of the membrane is preserved in the full experimental range explored here, up to a hydroperoxide content of 60%, inducing an 8% relative area expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin A Riske
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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42
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Leduc C, Campàs O, Joanny JF, Prost J, Bassereau P. Mechanism of membrane nanotube formation by molecular motors. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2009; 1798:1418-26. [PMID: 19948146 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2009.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2009] [Revised: 11/12/2009] [Accepted: 11/20/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Membrane nanotubes are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells due to their involvement in the communication between many different membrane compartments. They are very dynamical structures, which are generally extended along the microtubule network. One possible mechanism of tube formation involves the action of molecular motors, which can generate the necessary force to pull the tubes along the cytoskeleton tracks. However, it has not been possible so far to image in living organisms simultaneously both tube formation and the molecular motors involved in the process. The reasons for this are mainly technological. To overcome these limitations and to elucidate in detail the mechanism of tube formation, many experiments have been developed over the last years in cell-free environments. In the present review, we present the results, which have been obtained in vitro either in cell extracts or with purified and artificial components. In particular, we will focus on a biomimetic system, which involves Giant Unilamellar Vesicles, kinesin-1 motors and microtubules in the presence of ATP. We present both theoretical and experimental results based on fluorescence microscopy that elucidate the dynamics of membrane tube formation, growth and stalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Leduc
- Centre de Physique Moléculaire Optique et Hertzienne, Université Bordeaux 1, France
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43
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Suzuki K, Toyota T, Takakura K, Sugawara T. Sparkling Morphological Changes and Spontaneous Movements of Self-assemblies in Water Induced by Chemical Reactions. CHEM LETT 2009. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.2009.1010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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44
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Hamada T, Hirabayashi Y, Ohta T, Takagi M. Rhythmic pore dynamics in a shrinking lipid vesicle. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2009; 80:051921. [PMID: 20365020 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.80.051921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2009] [Revised: 10/25/2009] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The rhythmic motion of membrane pore behavior under nonequilibrium conditions was studied. Application of the surfactant triton X-100 (TX-100) caused lipid vesicles to exhibit two types of shrinking dynamics with pore generation, which depended on both the size of the vesicles and the concentration of added TX-100. Small vesicles and the addition of a low concentration of TX-100 resulted in rhythmic-pore dynamics, where a transient pore was generated within a vesicle in a repetitive manner. In contrast, large vesicles and a high concentration of TX-100 led to continuous-pore dynamics, where the vesicle maintained an open pore during the shrinking process. In the rhythmic-pore membrane, long-cycle oscillation was observed with large vesicles and a low concentration TX-100. The period of one cycle decreased with a decrease in the vesicle size and an increase in the TX-100 concentration. We discuss the mechanism of these trends by considering the elastic free energy of the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsutomu Hamada
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan.
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45
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Kitamoto D, Morita T, Fukuoka T, Konishi MA, Imura T. Self-assembling properties of glycolipid biosurfactants and their potential applications. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2009.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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46
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van Dongen SFM, de Hoog HPM, Peters RJRW, Nallani M, Nolte RJM, van Hest JCM. Biohybrid Polymer Capsules. Chem Rev 2009; 109:6212-74. [DOI: 10.1021/cr900072y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 357] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stijn F. M. van Dongen
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and Institute of Materials Research & Engineering (IMRE), Research Link 3, Singapore 117602, Singapore
| | - Hans-Peter M. de Hoog
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and Institute of Materials Research & Engineering (IMRE), Research Link 3, Singapore 117602, Singapore
| | - Ruud J. R. W. Peters
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and Institute of Materials Research & Engineering (IMRE), Research Link 3, Singapore 117602, Singapore
| | - Madhavan Nallani
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and Institute of Materials Research & Engineering (IMRE), Research Link 3, Singapore 117602, Singapore
| | - Roeland J. M. Nolte
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and Institute of Materials Research & Engineering (IMRE), Research Link 3, Singapore 117602, Singapore
| | - Jan C. M. van Hest
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and Institute of Materials Research & Engineering (IMRE), Research Link 3, Singapore 117602, Singapore
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Abstract
The generation of synthetic forms of cellular life requires solutions to the problem of how biological processes such as cyclic growth and division could emerge from purely physical and chemical systems. Small unilamellar fatty acid vesicles grow when fed with fatty acid micelles and can be forced to divide by extrusion, but this artificial division process results in significant loss of protocell contents during each division cycle. Here we describe a simple and efficient pathway for model protocell membrane growth and division. The growth of large multilamellar fatty acid vesicles fed with fatty acid micelles, in a solution where solute permeation across the membranes is slow, results in the transformation of initially spherical vesicles into long thread-like vesicles, a process driven by the transient imbalance between surface area and volume growth. Modest shear forces are then sufficient to cause the thread-like vesicles to divide into multiple daughter vesicles without loss of internal contents. In an environment of gentle shear, protocell growth and division are thus coupled processes. We show that model protocells can proceed through multiple cycles of reproduction. Encapsulated RNA molecules, representing a primitive genome, are distributed to the daughter vesicles. Our observations bring us closer to the laboratory synthesis of a complete protocell consisting of a self-replicating genome and a self-replicating membrane compartment. In addition, the robustness and simplicity of this pathway suggests that similar processes might have occurred under the prebiotic conditions of the early Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting F Zhu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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48
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Leirer C, Wunderlich B, Myles VM, Schneider MF. Phase transition induced fission in lipid vesicles. Biophys Chem 2009; 143:106-9. [PMID: 19442430 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2009.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2009] [Revised: 04/02/2009] [Accepted: 04/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In this work we demonstrate how the first order phase transition in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) can function as a trigger for membrane fission. When driven through their gel-fluid phase transition GUVs exhibit budding or pearl formation. These buds remain connected to the mother vesicle presumably by a small neck. Cooling these vesicles from the fluid phase (T>T(m)) through the phase transition into the gel state (T<T(m)), leads to complete rupture and fission of the neck, while the mother vesicle remains intact. Pearling tubes which formed upon heating break-up and decay into multiple individual vesicles which then diffuse freely. Finally we demonstrate that mimicking the intracellular bulk viscosity by increasing the bulk viscosity to 40 cP does not affect the overall fission process, but leads to a significant decrease in the size of the released vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Leirer
- University of Augsburg, Experimental Physics I, D-86159 Augsburg, Germany
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49
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Ishii KI, Hamada T, Hatakeyama M, Sugimoto R, Nagasaki T, Takagi M. Reversible Control ofExo- andEndo-Budding Transitions in a Photosensitive Lipid Membrane. Chembiochem 2009; 10:251-6. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.200800482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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50
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Dominak LM, Keating CD. Macromolecular crowding improves polymer encapsulation within giant lipid vesicles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2008; 24:13565-71. [PMID: 18980360 DOI: 10.1021/la8028403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
We report the effect of macromolecular crowding on encapsulation efficiency of fluorescently labeled poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and dextran polymers within individual giant lipid vesicles (GVs). Low concentrations of the fluorescently labeled polymers (82 nM to 186 pM) were mixed with varying concentrations of nonfluorescent polymers that served as crowding agents during vesicle formation by gentle hydration. Encapsulation efficiency of the fluorescently labeled polymers in individual GVs (EEind) was determined via confocal fluorescence microscopy. EEind for high molecular weight polymers (e.g., fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran 500 and 2000 kDa) increased substantially in the presence of several weight percent unlabeled PEG or dextran. For example, when 0.24 microM FITC dextran 500 kDa was encapsulated, addition of 3% PEG 8 kDa improved the mean concentration in the GVs from 0.14 microM (+/-50%) to 0.24 microM (+/-12%). Light scattering data indicate reduced hydrodynamic radii for polymers as a function of increasing polymer concentration, suggesting that the improvements in EEind result from polymer condensation due to macromolecular crowding. Polymeric cosolutes did not significantly impact EEind for lower molecular weight polymers (e.g., Alexa Fluor 488-PEG 20 kDa), which already encapsulated efficiently (EEind to approximately 1). However, for both the higher and lower molecular weight labeled polymers, cosolutes led to improved uniformity in EEind for vesicles within a batch. Methods for improving the value and homogeneity of EEind for polymeric solutes in lipid vesicles are important in a variety of applications, including the use of vesicles as microreactors and as vehicles for drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Dominak
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
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