1
|
Gao M, Wang D, Wilsch-Bräuninger M, Leng W, Schulte J, Morgner N, Appelhans D, Tang TYD. Cell Free Expression in Proteinosomes Prepared from Native Protein-PNIPAAm Conjugates. Macromol Biosci 2024; 24:e2300464. [PMID: 37925629 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300464] [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: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
Towards the goal of building synthetic cells from the bottom-up, the establishment of micrometer-sized compartments that contain and support cell free transcription and translation that couple cellular structure to function is of critical importance. Proteinosomes, formed from crosslinked cationized protein-polymer conjugates offer a promising solution to membrane-bound compartmentalization with an open, semi-permeable membrane. Critically, to date, there has been no demonstration of cell free transcription and translation within water-in-water proteinosomes. Herein, a novel approach to generate proteinosomes that can support cell free transcription and translation is presented. This approach generates proteinosomes directly from native protein-polymer (BSA-PNIPAAm) conjugates. These native proteinosomes offer an excellent alternative as a synthetic cell chassis to other membrane bound compartments. Significantly, the native proteinosomes are stable under high salt conditions that enables the ability to support cell free transcription and translation and offer enhanced protein expression compared to proteinosomes prepared from traditional methodologies. Furthermore, the integration of native proteinosomes into higher order synthetic cellular architectures with membrane free compartments such as liposomes is demonstrated. The integration of bioinspired architectural elements with the central dogma is an essential building block for realizing minimal synthetic cells and is key for exploiting artificial cells in real-world applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengfei Gao
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dishi Wang
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V. Hohe Strasse 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany
- Organic Chemistry of Polymers, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01602, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michaela Wilsch-Bräuninger
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Weihua Leng
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jonathan Schulte
- Goethe Universität Frankfurt, Institute of physical and theoretical chemistry, Max-von-Lauestrasse 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nina Morgner
- Goethe Universität Frankfurt, Institute of physical and theoretical chemistry, Max-von-Lauestrasse 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dietmar Appelhans
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V. Hohe Strasse 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany
- Organic Chemistry of Polymers, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01602, Dresden, Germany
| | - T-Y Dora Tang
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Saarland University, Synthetic biology, Department of Biology, Campus B2.2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Powers J, Jang Y. Advancing Biomimetic Functions of Synthetic Cells through Compartmentalized Cell-Free Protein Synthesis. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:5539-5550. [PMID: 37962115 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00879] [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: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cells are artificial constructs that mimic the structures and functions of living cells. They are attractive for studying diverse biochemical processes and elucidating the origins of life. While creating a living synthetic cell remains a grand challenge, researchers have successfully synthesized hundreds of unique synthetic cell platforms. One promising approach to developing more sophisticated synthetic cells is to integrate cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) mechanisms into vesicle platforms. This makes it possible to create synthetic cells with complex biomimetic functions such as genetic circuits, autonomous membrane modifications, sensing and communication, and artificial organelles. This Review explores recent advances in the use of CFPS to impart advanced biomimetic structures and functions to bottom-up synthetic cell platforms. We also discuss the potential applications of synthetic cells in biomedicine as well as the future directions of synthetic cell research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jackson Powers
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 1006 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Yeongseon Jang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 1006 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tror S, Jeon S, Nguyen HT, Huh E, Shin K. A Self-Regenerating Artificial Cell, that is One Step Closer to Living Cells: Challenges and Perspectives. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300182. [PMID: 37246263 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300182] [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: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Controllable, self-regenerating artificial cells (SRACs) can be a vital advancement in the field of synthetic biology, which seeks to create living cells by recombining various biological molecules in the lab. This represents, more importantly, the first step on a long journey toward creating reproductive cells from rather fragmentary biochemical mimics. However, it is still a difficult task to replicate the complex processes involved in cell regeneration, such as genetic material replication and cell membrane division, in artificially created spaces. This review highlights recent advances in the field of controllable, SRACs and the strategies to achieve the goal of creating such cells. Self-regenerating cells start by replicating DNA and transferring it to a location where proteins can be synthesized. Functional but essential proteins must be synthesized for sustained energy generation and survival needs and function in the same liposomal space. Finally, self-division and repeated cycling lead to autonomous, self-regenerating cells. The pursuit of controllable, SRACs will enable authors to make bold advances in understanding life at the cellular level, ultimately providing an opportunity to use this knowledge to understand the nature of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seangly Tror
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biological Interfaces, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - SeonMin Jeon
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biological Interfaces, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Huong Thanh Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biological Interfaces, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunjin Huh
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biological Interfaces, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwanwoo Shin
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biological Interfaces, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sato T, Matsuda S, Aoki W. Optimizing conditions to construct artificial cells using commercial in vitro transcription-translation system (PUREfrex2.0). J Biosci Bioeng 2023; 136:334-339. [PMID: 37517904 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2023.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Artificial cells containing in vitro transcription and translation (IVTT) systems inside liposomes are important for the reconstruction and analysis of various biological systems. To improve the accessibility of artificial cell research, it is important that artificial cells can be constructed using only commercially available components. Here, we optimized the construction of artificial cells containing PUREfrex2.0, a commercially available IVTT with high transcriptional and translational activity. Specifically, the composition of the inner and outer s olutions of the liposomes and the concentrations of lipids, glucose/sucrose, potassium glutamate, and magnesium acetate were systematically optimized, and finally we found a protocol for the stable construction of artificial cells containing PUREfre×2.0. These findings are expected to be important in expanding the artificial cell research community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toshiko Sato
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
| | | | - Wataru Aoki
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Stano P. Chemical Systems for Wetware Artificial Life: Selected Perspectives in Synthetic Cell Research. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14138. [PMID: 37762444 PMCID: PMC10532297 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent and important advances in bottom-up synthetic biology (SB), in particular in the field of the so-called "synthetic cells" (SCs) (or "artificial cells", or "protocells"), lead us to consider the role of wetware technologies in the "Sciences of Artificial", where they constitute the third pillar, alongside the more well-known pillars hardware (robotics) and software (Artificial Intelligence, AI). In this article, it will be highlighted how wetware approaches can help to model life and cognition from a unique perspective, complementary to robotics and AI. It is suggested that, through SB, it is possible to explore novel forms of bio-inspired technologies and systems, in particular chemical AI. Furthermore, attention is paid to the concept of semantic information and its quantification, following the strategy recently introduced by Kolchinsky and Wolpert. Semantic information, in turn, is linked to the processes of generation of "meaning", interpreted here through the lens of autonomy and cognition in artificial systems, emphasizing its role in chemical ones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Stano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gonzales DT, Suraritdechachai S, Tang TYD. Compartmentalized Cell-Free Expression Systems for Building Synthetic Cells. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 186:77-101. [PMID: 37306700 DOI: 10.1007/10_2023_221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
One of the grand challenges in bottom-up synthetic biology is the design and construction of synthetic cellular systems. One strategy toward this goal is the systematic reconstitution of biological processes using purified or non-living molecular components to recreate specific cellular functions such as metabolism, intercellular communication, signal transduction, and growth and division. Cell-free expression systems (CFES) are in vitro reconstitutions of the transcription and translation machinery found in cells and are a key technology for bottom-up synthetic biology. The open and simplified reaction environment of CFES has helped researchers discover fundamental concepts in the molecular biology of the cell. In recent decades, there has been a drive to encapsulate CFES reactions into cell-like compartments with the aim of building synthetic cells and multicellular systems. In this chapter, we discuss recent progress in compartmentalizing CFES to build simple and minimal models of biological processes that can help provide a better understanding of the process of self-assembly in molecularly complex systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David T Gonzales
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - T -Y Dora Tang
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- Physics of Life, Cluster of Excellence, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Herianto S, Chien PJ, Ho JAA, Tu HL. Liposome-based artificial cells: From gene expression to reconstitution of cellular functions and phenotypes. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2022; 142:213156. [PMID: 36302330 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Bottom-up approaches in creating artificial cells that can mimic natural cells have significant implications for both basic research and translational application. Among various artificial cell models, liposome is one of the most sophisticated systems. By encapsulating proteins and associated biomolecules, they can functionally reconstitute foundational features of biological cells, such as the ability to divide, communicate, and undergo shape deformation. Yet constructing liposome artificial cells from the genetic level, which is central to generate self-sustained systems remains highly challenging. Indeed, many studies have successfully established the expression of gene-coded proteins inside liposomes. Further, recent endeavors to build a direct integration of gene-expressed proteins for reconstituting molecular functions and phenotypes in liposomes have also significantly increased. Thus, this review presents the development of liposome-based artificial cells to demonstrate the process of gene-expressed proteins and their reconstitution to perform desired molecular and cell-like functions. The molecular and cellular phenotypes discussed here include the self-production of membrane phospholipids, division, shape deformation, self-DNA/RNA replication, fusion, and intercellular communication. Together, this review gives a comprehensive overview of gene-expressing liposomes that can stimulate further research of this technology and achieve artificial cells with superior properties in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Herianto
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Po-Jen Chien
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ja-An Annie Ho
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; BioAnalytical Chemistry and Nanobiomedicine Laboratory, Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Hsiung-Lin Tu
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Nomura SM, Shimizu R, Archer RJ, Hayase G, Toyota T, Mayne R, Adamatzky A. Spontaneous and Driven Growth of Multicellular Lipid Compartments to Millimeter Size from Porous Polymer Structures**. CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/syst.202200006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shin‐ichiro M. Nomura
- Molecular Robotics Laboratory, Department of Robotics Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Sendai 980-8579 Japan
- Unconventional Computing Laboratory University of the West of England Bristol BS16 1QY United Kingdom
| | - Ryo Shimizu
- Molecular Robotics Laboratory, Department of Robotics Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Sendai 980-8579 Japan
| | - Richard James Archer
- Molecular Robotics Laboratory, Department of Robotics Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Sendai 980-8579 Japan
| | - Gen Hayase
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics National Institute for Materials Science 1-1 Namiki Tsukuba Ibaraki, 305-0044 Japan
| | - Taro Toyota
- Department of Basic Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences The University of Tokyo Komaba, 3-8-1 Komaba Meguro Tokyo 153-8902 Japan)
| | - Richard Mayne
- Unconventional Computing Laboratory University of the West of England Bristol BS16 1QY United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Adamatzky
- Unconventional Computing Laboratory University of the West of England Bristol BS16 1QY United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Trends and Outlooks in Synthetic Biology: A Special Issue for Celebrating 10 Years of Life and Its Landmarks. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020181. [PMID: 35207469 PMCID: PMC8878137 DOI: 10.3390/life12020181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|
10
|
Uyeda A, Reyes SG, Kanamori T, Matsuura T. Identification of conditions for efficient cell-sized liposome preparation using commercially available reconstituted in vitro transcription-translation system. J Biosci Bioeng 2021; 133:181-186. [PMID: 34789414 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2021.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Attempts to create complex molecular systems that mimic parts of cellular systems using a bottom-up approach have become important in the field of biology. Among various molecular systems, in vitro protein synthesis inside lipid vesicles (liposomes), which we refer to as the artificial cell, has become an attractive system because it possesses two fundamental features of living cells: central dogma, and compartmentalization. Here, we investigated the effect of altering the amount or concentration of four constituents of the artificial cell consisting of a commercially available reconstituted in vitro transcription-translation (IVTT) system. As this IVTT system is available worldwide, the results will be useful to the scientific community when shared, unlike those from a lab-made IVTT system. We succeeded in revealing the effect and trend of altering each parameter and identified a suitable condition for preparing liposomes that are unilamellar and can synthesize proteins equally as well as the original IVTT system. Because the commercially available reconstituted IVTT system is an important standardization tool and the constituents can be adjusted as desired, our results will be useful for the bottom-up creation of more complex molecular systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Uyeda
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Sabrina Galiñanes Reyes
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-i7E Ookayama, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
| | - Takashi Kanamori
- GeneFrontier Corporation, SHARP Kashiwa Building, 4F, 273-1 Kashiwa, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-0005, Japan.
| | - Tomoaki Matsuura
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-i7E Ookayama, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhang J, Jin N, Ji N, Chen X, Shen Y, Pan T, Li L, Li S, Zhang W, Huo F. The Encounter of Biomolecules in Metal-Organic Framework Micro/Nano Reactors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:52215-52233. [PMID: 34369162 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c09660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In nature, biochemical reactions often take place in confined spaces, as typically exemplified by cells. As numerous cellular reactors can be integrated to maintain the living system, researchers have made constant efforts to construct cell-like structures for achieving similar transformations in vitro. Micro/nano reactors engineered by polymers and colloids are becoming popular and being applied in many fields, especially there has been an increasing trend toward constructing metal-organic framework (MOF) micro/nano reactors with the thriving of MOF nanotechnologies. Because of the uniform pores of MOFs, the transmission of substances can be regulated more accurately. Along with properties of large specific surface area, functional diversity and precise control of the particle size, MOFs are also ideal platforms for building distinct microenvironments for biological substances. Compared with traditional polymersomes and colloidosomes, the unique characteristics of MOFs render them potent micro/nano reactor shell materials, mimicking cells for applications in enzymatic catalysis, sensing, nanotherapy, vaccine, biodegradation, etc. This review highlights recent signs of progress on the design of MOF micro/nano reactors and their applications in biology, discusses the existing problems, and prospects their promising properties for smarter multifunctional applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, P.R. China
| | - Na Jin
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, P.R. China
| | - Ning Ji
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, P.R. China
| | - Xinyi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, P.R. China
| | - Yu Shen
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, P.R. China
| | - Ting Pan
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, P.R. China
| | - Lin Li
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, P.R. China
| | - Sheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, P.R. China
| | - Weina Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, P.R. China
| | - Fengwei Huo
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Controlled metabolic cascades for protein synthesis in an artificial cell. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2143-2151. [PMID: 34623386 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, researchers have been pursuing a method to design and to construct life forms from scratch - in other words, to create artificial cells. In many studies, artificial cellular membranes have been successfully fabricated, allowing the research field to grow by leaps and bounds. Moreover, in addition to lipid bilayer membranes, proteins are essential factors required to construct any cellular metabolic reaction; for that reason, different cell-free expression systems under various conditions to achieve the goal of controlling the synthetic cascades of proteins in a confined area have been reported. Thus, in this review, we will discuss recent issues and strategies, enabling to control protein synthesis cascades that are being used, particularly in research on artificial cells.
Collapse
|
13
|
Chromatophores efficiently promote light-driven ATP synthesis and DNA transcription inside hybrid multicompartment artificial cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2012170118. [PMID: 33526592 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2012170118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The construction of energetically autonomous artificial protocells is one of the most ambitious goals in bottom-up synthetic biology. Here, we show an efficient manner to build adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) synthesizing hybrid multicompartment protocells. Bacterial chromatophores from Rhodobacter sphaeroides accomplish the photophosphorylation of adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) to ATP, functioning as nanosized photosynthetic organellae when encapsulated inside artificial giant phospholipid vesicles (ATP production rate up to ∼100 ATP∙s-1 per ATP synthase). The chromatophore morphology and the orientation of the photophosphorylation proteins were characterized by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and time-resolved spectroscopy. The freshly synthesized ATP has been employed for sustaining the transcription of a DNA gene, following the RNA biosynthesis inside individual vesicles by confocal microscopy. The hybrid multicompartment approach here proposed is very promising for the construction of full-fledged artificial protocells because it relies on easy-to-obtain and ready-to-use chromatophores, paving the way for artificial simplified-autotroph protocells (ASAPs).
Collapse
|
14
|
Meyer C, Nakamura Y, Rasor BJ, Karim AS, Jewett MC, Tan C. Analysis of the Innovation Trend in Cell-Free Synthetic Biology. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:551. [PMID: 34208358 PMCID: PMC8231175 DOI: 10.3390/life11060551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-free synthetic biology is a maturing field that aims to assemble biomolecular reactions outside cells for compelling applications in drug discovery, metabolic engineering, biomanufacturing, diagnostics, and education. Cell-free systems have several key features. They circumvent mechanisms that have evolved to facilitate species survival, bypass limitations on molecular transport across the cell wall, enable high-yielding and rapid synthesis of proteins without creating recombinant cells, and provide high tolerance towards toxic substrates or products. Here, we analyze ~750 published patents and ~2000 peer-reviewed manuscripts in the field of cell-free systems. Three hallmarks emerged. First, we found that both patent filings and manuscript publications per year are significantly increasing (five-fold and 1.5-fold over the last decade, respectively). Second, we observed that the innovation landscape has changed. Patent applications were dominated by Japan in the early 2000s before shifting to China and the USA in recent years. Finally, we discovered an increasing prevalence of biotechnology companies using cell-free systems. Our analysis has broad implications on the future development of cell-free synthetic biology for commercial and industrial applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Conary Meyer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95618, USA; (C.M.); (Y.N.)
| | - Yusuke Nakamura
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95618, USA; (C.M.); (Y.N.)
| | - Blake J. Rasor
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (B.J.R.); (A.S.K.); (M.C.J.)
| | - Ashty S. Karim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (B.J.R.); (A.S.K.); (M.C.J.)
| | - Michael C. Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (B.J.R.); (A.S.K.); (M.C.J.)
| | - Cheemeng Tan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95618, USA; (C.M.); (Y.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tsuji G, Sunami T, Oki M, Ichihashi N. Exchange of Proteins in Liposomes through Streptolysin O Pores. Chembiochem 2021; 22:1966-1973. [PMID: 33586304 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Liposomes, which are vesicles surrounded by lipid membranes, can be used as biochemical reactors by encapsulating various reactions. Accordingly, they are useful for studying cellular functions under controlled conditions that mimic the environment within a cell. However, one of the shortcomings of liposomes as biochemical reactors is the difficulty of introducing or removing proteins due to the impermeability of the membrane. In this study, we established a method for exchanging proteins in liposomes by forming reversible pores in the membrane. We used the toxic protein streptolysin O (SLO); this forms pores in membranes made of phospholipids containing cholesterol that can be closed by the addition of calcium ions. After optimizing the experimental procedure and lipid composition, we observed the exchange of fluorescent proteins (transferrin Alexa Fluor 488 and 647) in 9.9 % of liposomes. We also introduced T7 RNA polymerase, a 98-kDa enzyme, and observed RNA synthesis in ∼8 % of liposomes. Our findings establish a new method for controlling the internal protein composition of liposomes, thereby increasing their utility as bioreactors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gakushi Tsuji
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui-shi, Fukui, 910-8507, Japan.,Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui-shi, Fukui, 910-8507, Japan
| | - Takeshi Sunami
- Institute for Academic InitiativesOsaka University, Osaka University (Japan), 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masaya Oki
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui-shi, Fukui, 910-8507, Japan.,Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui-shi, Fukui, 910-8507, Japan
| | - Norikazu Ichihashi
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Arts and Science, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan.,Komaba Institute for Science, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan.,Universal Biology Institute, The University of Tokyo 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Abstract
Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) have gained great popularity as mimicries for cellular membranes. As their sizes are comfortably above the optical resolution limit, and their lipid composition is easily controlled, they are ideal for quantitative light microscopic investigation of dynamic processes in and on membranes. However, reconstitution of functional proteins into the lumen or the GUV membrane itself has proven technically challenging. In recent years, a selection of techniques has been introduced that tremendously improve GUV-assay development and enable the precise investigation of protein-membrane interactions under well-controlled conditions. Moreover, due to these methodological advances, GUVs are considered important candidates as protocells in bottom-up synthetic biology. In this review, we discuss the state of the art of the most important vesicle production and protein encapsulation methods and highlight some key protein systems whose functional reconstitution has advanced the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Litschel
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried 82152, Germany; ,
| | - Petra Schwille
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried 82152, Germany; ,
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Iwabuchi S, Kawamata I, Murata S, Nomura SIM. A large, square-shaped, DNA origami nanopore with sealing function on a giant vesicle membrane. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:2990-2993. [PMID: 33587063 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc07412h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Intaking molecular information from the external environment is essential for the normal functioning of artificial cells/molecular robots. Herein, we report the design and function of a membrane nanopore using a DNA origami square tube with a cross-section of 100 nm2. When the nanopore is added to a giant vesicle that mimics a cell membrane, the permeation of large external hydrophilic fluorescent molecules is observed. Furthermore, the addition of up to four ssDNA strands enables size-based selective transport of molecules. A controllable artificial nanopore should facilitate the communication between the vesicle components and their environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shoji Iwabuchi
- Department of Robotics, Tohoku University, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Nandi U, Onyesom I, Douroumis D. An in vitro evaluation of antitumor activity of sirolimus-encapsulated liposomes in breast cancer cells. J Pharm Pharmacol 2021; 73:300-309. [PMID: 33793879 DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgaa061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Design and examine the effect of sirolimus-PEGylated (Stealth) liposomes for breast cancer treatment. In this study, we developed conventional and Stealth liposome nanoparticles comprising of distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) or dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and DSPE-MPEG-2000 lipids loaded with sirolimus as an anticancer agent. The effect of lipid grade, drug loading and incubation times were evaluated. METHODS Particle size distribution, encapsulation efficiency of conventional and Stealth liposomes were studied followed by cytotoxicity evaluation. The cellular uptake and internal localisation of liposome formulations were investigated using confocal microscopy. KEY FINDINGS The designed Stealth liposome formulations loaded with sirolimus demonstrated an effective in vitro anticancer therapy compared with conventional liposomes while the length of the acyl chain affected the cell viability. Anticancer activity was found to be related on the drug loading amounts and incubation times. Cell internalization was observed after 5 h while significant cellular uptake of liposome was detected after 24 h with liposome particles been located in the cytoplasm round the cell nucleus. Sirolimus Stealth liposomes induced cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS The design and evaluation of sirolimus-loaded PEGylated liposome nanoparticles demonstrated their capacity as drug delivery carrier for the treatment of breast cancer tumours.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uttom Nandi
- Medway School of Science, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK
| | - Ichioma Onyesom
- Medway School of Science, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK
| | - Dennis Douroumis
- Medway School of Science, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhang X, Shao X, Cai Z, Yan X, Zong W. The fabrication of phospholipid vesicle-based artificial cells and their functions. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0nj05538g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipid vesicles as artificial cells are used to simulate the cellular structure and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xunan Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Qiqihar University
- Qiqihar
- China
| | - Xiaotong Shao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Qiqihar University
- Qiqihar
- China
| | - Zhenzhen Cai
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Qiqihar University
- Qiqihar
- China
| | - Xinyu Yan
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Qiqihar University
- Qiqihar
- China
| | - Wei Zong
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Qiqihar University
- Qiqihar
- China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wang C, Geng Y, Sun Q, Xu J, Lu Y. A Sustainable and Efficient Artificial Microgel System: Toward Creating a Configurable Synthetic Cell. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2002313. [PMID: 33241606 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202002313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Artificial cells are a powerful platform in the study of synthetic biology and other valuable fields. They share a great potential in defining and utilizing the superiority of the living system. Here, a protein synthesis system based on thermal responsive hydrogels with porous structure is reported. The hydrogels can immobilize plasmids on the surface inside their porous structure through a volume phase transition upon 34 °C, forming an aggregation state of DNAs as in nature conditions. The artificial microgels can carry out bioreactions in cell-free systems and exhibit a sustainable and efficient performance for protein translation. The protein synthesis level reaches a maximum of twice more than that in a conventional solution system when the plasmid concentration is 10-20 ng µL-1 , along with a doubled effective interval. This is perhaps attributed to confined transcription and translation processes in the near-surface area of hydrogels. Summarily, the research provides an easy-handling approach in fabricating effective microgels for cell-free synthesis and also inspirations for constructing a configurable artificial cell.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhao Geng
- The State Key Lab of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Sun
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhong Xu
- The State Key Lab of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cho E, Lu Y. Compartmentalizing Cell-Free Systems: Toward Creating Life-Like Artificial Cells and Beyond. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2881-2901. [PMID: 33095011 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Building an artificial cell is a research area that is rigorously studied in the field of synthetic biology. It has brought about much attention with the aim of ultimately constructing a natural cell-like structure. In particular, with the more mature cell-free platforms and various compartmentalization methods becoming available, achieving this aim seems not far away. In this review, we discuss the various types of artificial cells capable of hosting several cellular functions. Different compartmental boundaries and the mature and evolving technologies that are used for compartmentalization are examined, and exciting recent advances that overcome or have the potential to address current challenges are discussed. Ultimately, we show how compartmentalization and cell-free systems have, and will, come together to fulfill the goal to assemble a fully synthetic cell that displays functionality and complexity as advanced as that in nature. The development of such artificial cell systems will offer insight into the fundamental study of evolutionary biology and the sea of applications as a result. Although several challenges remain, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence also appear to help pave the way to address them and achieve the ultimate goal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eunhee Cho
- Key Lab of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yuan Lu
- Key Lab of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Blanken D, Foschepoth D, Serrão AC, Danelon C. Genetically controlled membrane synthesis in liposomes. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4317. [PMID: 32859896 PMCID: PMC7455746 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17863-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid membranes, nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolism are essential for modern cellular life. Synthetic systems emulating the fundamental properties of living cells must therefore be built upon these functional elements. In this work, phospholipid-producing enzymes encoded in a synthetic minigenome are cell-free expressed within liposome compartments. The de novo synthesized metabolic pathway converts precursors into a variety of lipids, including the constituents of the parental liposome. Balanced production of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol is realized, owing to transcriptional regulation of the activity of specific genes combined with a metabolic feedback mechanism. Fluorescence-based methods are developed to image the synthesis and membrane incorporation of phosphatidylserine at the single liposome level. Our results provide experimental evidence for DNA-programmed membrane synthesis in a minimal cell model. Strategies are discussed to alleviate current limitations toward effective liposome growth and self-reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duco Blanken
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - David Foschepoth
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Adriana Calaça Serrão
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Christophe Danelon
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Laohakunakorn N, Grasemann L, Lavickova B, Michielin G, Shahein A, Swank Z, Maerkl SJ. Bottom-Up Construction of Complex Biomolecular Systems With Cell-Free Synthetic Biology. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:213. [PMID: 32266240 PMCID: PMC7105575 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-free systems offer a promising approach to engineer biology since their open nature allows for well-controlled and characterized reaction conditions. In this review, we discuss the history and recent developments in engineering recombinant and crude extract systems, as well as breakthroughs in enabling technologies, that have facilitated increased throughput, compartmentalization, and spatial control of cell-free protein synthesis reactions. Combined with a deeper understanding of the cell-free systems themselves, these advances improve our ability to address a range of scientific questions. By mastering control of the cell-free platform, we will be in a position to construct increasingly complex biomolecular systems, and approach natural biological complexity in a bottom-up manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadanai Laohakunakorn
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Grasemann
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Barbora Lavickova
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Grégoire Michielin
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Amir Shahein
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zoe Swank
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian J. Maerkl
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Lai SN, Zhou X, Ouyang X, Zhou H, Liang Y, Xia J, Zheng B. Artificial Cells Capable of Long-Lived Protein Synthesis by Using Aptamer Grafted Polymer Hydrogel. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:76-83. [PMID: 31880928 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Herein we report a new type of artificial cells capable of long-term protein expression and regulation. We constructed the artificial cells by grafting anti-His-tag aptamer into the polymer backbone of the hydrogel particles, and then immobilizing the His-tagged proteinaceous factors of the transcription and translation system into the hydrogel particles. Long-term protein expression for at least 16 days was achieved by continuously flowing feeding buffer through the artificial cells. The effect of various metal ions on the protein expression in the artificial cells was investigated. Utilizing the lac operator-repressor system, we could regulate the expression level of eGFP in the artificial cells by controlling the β-D-1-thiogalatopyranoside (IPTG) concentration in the feeding buffer. The artificial cells based on the aptamer grafted hydrogel provide a useful platform for gene circuit engineering, metabolic engineering, drug delivery, and biosensors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sze Nga Lai
- Department of Chemistry , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Sha Tin , Hong Kong
| | - Xiaoyu Zhou
- Department of Chemistry , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Sha Tin , Hong Kong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences , City University of Hong Kong , 83 Tat Chee Avenue , Kowloon , Hong Kong
| | - Xiaofei Ouyang
- Department of Chemistry , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Sha Tin , Hong Kong
| | - Hui Zhou
- Department of Chemistry , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Sha Tin , Hong Kong
| | - Yujie Liang
- Department of Chemistry , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Sha Tin , Hong Kong
| | - Jiang Xia
- Department of Chemistry , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Sha Tin , Hong Kong
| | - Bo Zheng
- Department of Chemistry , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Sha Tin , Hong Kong
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
A protocell with fusion and division. Biochem Soc Trans 2019; 47:1909-1919. [PMID: 31819942 DOI: 10.1042/bst20190576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A protocell is a synthetic form of cellular life that is constructed from phospholipid vesicles and used to understand the emergence of life from a nonliving chemical network. To be considered 'living', a protocell should be capable of self-proliferation, which includes successive growth and division processes. The growth of protocells can be achieved via vesicle fusion approaches. In this review, we provide a brief overview of recent research on the formation of a protocell, fusion and division processes of the protocell, and encapsulation of a defined chemical network such as the genetic material. We also provide some perspectives on the challenges and future developments of synthetic protocell research.
Collapse
|
26
|
Lyu Y, Peng R, Liu H, Kuai H, Mo L, Han D, Li J, Tan W. Protocells programmed through artificial reaction networks. Chem Sci 2019; 11:631-642. [PMID: 34123035 PMCID: PMC8145531 DOI: 10.1039/c9sc05043d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
As the smallest unit of life, cells attract interest due to their structural complexity and functional reliability. Protocells assembled by inanimate components are created as an artificial entity to mimic the structure and some essential properties of a natural cell, and artificial reaction networks are used to program the functions of protocells. Although the bottom-up construction of a protocell that can be considered truly ‘alive’ is still an ambitious goal, these man-made constructs with a certain degree of ‘liveness’ can offer effective tools to understand fundamental processes of cellular life, and have paved the new way for bionic applications. In this review, we highlight both the milestones and recent progress of protocells programmed by artificial reaction networks, including genetic circuits, enzyme-assisted non-genetic circuits, prebiotic mimicking reaction networks, and DNA dynamic circuits. Challenges and opportunities have also been discussed. In this review, the milestones and recent progress of protocells programmed by various types of artificial reaction networks are highlighted.![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Lyu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 China.,Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Ruizi Peng
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Hui Liu
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Hailan Kuai
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Liuting Mo
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Da Han
- Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 China
| | - Juan Li
- Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 China.,MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Hangzhou Zhejiang 310022 China
| | - Weihong Tan
- Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 China.,Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Hangzhou Zhejiang 310022 China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Katsuta S, Okano T, Koiwai K, Suzuki H. Ejection of Large Particulate Materials from Giant Unilamellar Vesicles Induced by Electropulsation. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:13196-13204. [PMID: 31498647 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b01617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Electroporation or electropermealization is a technique to open pores in the lipid bilayer membrane of cells and vesicles transiently to increase its permeability to otherwise impermeable molecules. However, the upper size limit of the materials permeable through this operation has not been studied in the past. Here, we investigate the size of the material that can be released (ejected) from giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) upon electrical pulsation. We confirm that the volume of GUV shrinks in a stepwise manner upon periodical pulsation, in accordance with previous studies. When the same operation is applied to GUVs that encapsulate microbeads, we find that beads as large as 20 μm can be ejected across the membrane without rupturing the whole GUV structure. We also demonstrate that functional bioactive particulate materials, such as gel balls, vesicles, and cells can be encapsulated in and ejected from GUVs. We foresee that this phenomenon can be applied to precisely regulate the time and location of release of these particulate materials in the microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shota Katsuta
- Dept. Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering , Chuo University , 1-13-27 Kasuga , Bunkyo-ku , Tokyo 112-8551 , Japan
| | - Taiji Okano
- Dept. Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering , Chuo University , 1-13-27 Kasuga , Bunkyo-ku , Tokyo 112-8551 , Japan
| | - Keiichiro Koiwai
- Dept. Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering , Chuo University , 1-13-27 Kasuga , Bunkyo-ku , Tokyo 112-8551 , Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) , 5-3-1 Kojimachi , Chiyoda-ku , Tokyo 102-0083 , Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suzuki
- Dept. Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering , Chuo University , 1-13-27 Kasuga , Bunkyo-ku , Tokyo 112-8551 , Japan
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Aufinger L, Simmel FC. Establishing Communication Between Artificial Cells. Chemistry 2019; 25:12659-12670. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201901726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Aufinger
- Physics Department and ZNNTechnische Universität München Am Coulombwall 4a 85748 Garching Germany
| | - Friedrich C. Simmel
- Physics Department and ZNNTechnische Universität München Am Coulombwall 4a 85748 Garching Germany
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Lopez A, Fiore M. Investigating Prebiotic Protocells for A Comprehensive Understanding of the Origins of Life: A Prebiotic Systems Chemistry Perspective. Life (Basel) 2019; 9:E49. [PMID: 31181679 PMCID: PMC6616946 DOI: 10.3390/life9020049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Protocells are supramolecular systems commonly used for numerous applications, such as the formation of self-evolvable systems, in systems chemistry and synthetic biology. Certain types of protocells imitate plausible prebiotic compartments, such as giant vesicles, that are formed with the hydration of thin films of amphiphiles. These constructs can be studied to address the emergence of life from a non-living chemical network. They are useful tools since they offer the possibility to understand the mechanisms underlying any living cellular system: Its formation, its metabolism, its replication and its evolution. Protocells allow the investigation of the synergies occurring in a web of chemical compounds. This cooperation can explain the transition between chemical (inanimate) and biological systems (living) due to the discoveries of emerging properties. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of relevant concept in prebiotic protocell research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Augustin Lopez
- Institut de Chimie et Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires, Université de Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 1 Rue Victor Grignard, Bâtiment Lederer, 69622 Villeurbanne CEDEX, France.
- Master de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Université de Lyon, 69342 Lyon CEDEX 07, France.
| | - Michele Fiore
- Institut de Chimie et Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires, Université de Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 1 Rue Victor Grignard, Bâtiment Lederer, 69622 Villeurbanne CEDEX, France.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Stano P. Gene Expression Inside Liposomes: From Early Studies to Current Protocols. Chemistry 2019; 25:7798-7814. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201806445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Stano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA)University of Salento, Ecotekne 73100 Lecce Italy
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Fanti A, Gammuto L, Mavelli F, Stano P, Marangoni R. Do protocells preferentially retain macromolecular solutes upon division/fragmentation? A study based on the extrusion of POPC giant vesicles. Integr Biol (Camb) 2019; 10:6-17. [PMID: 29230464 DOI: 10.1039/c7ib00138j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A key process of protocell behaviour is their recursive growth and division. In order to be sustainable, the latter must be characterized by an even and homogeneous partition of the solute molecules initially present in the parent protocell among the daughter ones. Here we have investigated, by means of an artificial division model (extrusion of giant lipid vesicles) and confocal microscopy, the fate of solutes when a large vesicle fragments into many smaller vesicles. Solutes of low- and high-molecular weight such as pyranine, calcein, albumin-FITC, dextran-FITC and carbonic anhydrase have been employed. Although the vesicle extrusion brings about a release of their inner content in the environment, the results shown in this initial report indicate that macromolecules can be partially retained when compared with low-molecular weight ones. Results are discussed from the viewpoint of the life cycle of primitive cells. In particular, the findings suggest that a similar mechanism operating during the critical step of vesicle growth-division could have contributed to primitive evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Fanti
- Biology Department, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, I-56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Rampioni G, Leoni L, Stano P. Molecular Communications in the Context of “Synthetic Cells” Research. IEEE Trans Nanobioscience 2019; 18:43-50. [DOI: 10.1109/tnb.2018.2882543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
33
|
Stano P. Is Research on "Synthetic Cells" Moving to the Next Level? Life (Basel) 2018; 9:E3. [PMID: 30587790 PMCID: PMC6463193 DOI: 10.3390/life9010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
"Synthetic cells" research focuses on the construction of cell-like models by using solute-filled artificial microcompartments with a biomimetic structure. In recent years this bottom-up synthetic biology area has considerably progressed, and the field is currently experiencing a rapid expansion. Here we summarize some technical and theoretical aspects of synthetic cells based on gene expression and other enzymatic reactions inside liposomes, and comment on the most recent trends. Such a tour will be an occasion for asking whether times are ripe for a sort of qualitative jump toward novel SC prototypes: is research on "synthetic cells" moving to a next level?
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Stano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento; Ecotekne-S.P. Lecce-Monteroni, I-73100 Lecce, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Aufinger L, Simmel FC. Artificial Gel-Based Organelles for Spatial Organization of Cell-Free Gene Expression Reactions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:17245-17248. [PMID: 30394633 PMCID: PMC6640049 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201809374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Gel-based artificial organelles have been developed that enable sequence-specific and programmable localization of cell-free transcription and translation reactions inside an artificial cellular system. To this end, we utilize agarose microgels covalently modified with DNA templates coding for various functions and encapsulate them into emulsion droplets. We show that RNA signals transcribed from transcription organelles can be specifically targeted to capture organelles via hybridization to the corresponding DNA addresses. We also demonstrate that mRNA molecules, produced from transcription organelles and controlled by toehold switch riboregulators, are only translated in translation organelles containing their cognate DNA triggers. Spatial confinement of transcription and translation in separate organelles is thus superficially similar to gene expression in eukaryotic cells. Combining communicating gel spheres with specialized functions opens up new possibilities for programming artificial cellular systems at the organelle level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Aufinger
- Physics-Department and ZNN, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4a, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Friedrich C. Simmel
- Physics-Department and ZNN, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4a, 85748 Garching, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Aufinger L, Simmel FC. Künstliche, gelbasierte Organellen für die räumliche Organisation von zellfreien Genexpressionsreaktionen. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201809374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Aufinger
- Physik-Department und ZNN Technische Universität München Am Coulombwall 4a 85748 Garching Deutschland
| | - Friedrich C. Simmel
- Physik-Department und ZNN Technische Universität München Am Coulombwall 4a 85748 Garching Deutschland
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Measurement and Numerical Modeling of Cell-Free Protein Synthesis: Combinatorial Block-Variants of the PURE System. DATA 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/data3040041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein synthesis is at the core of bottom-up construction of artificial cellular mimics. Intriguingly, several reports have revealed that when a transcription–translation (TX–TL) kit is encapsulated inside lipid vesicles (or water-in-oil droplets), high between-vesicles diversity is observed in terms of protein synthesis rate and yield. Stochastic solute partition can be a major determinant of these observations. In order to verify that the variation of TX–TL components concentration brings about a variation of produced protein rate and yield, here we directly measure the performances of the ‘PURE system’ TX–TL kit variants. We report and share the kinetic traces of the enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (eGFP) synthesis in bulk aqueous phase, for 27 combinatorial block-variants. The eGFP production is a sensitive function of TX–TL components concentration in the explored concentration range. Providing direct evidence that protein synthesis yield and rate actually mirror the TX–TL composition, this study supports the above-mentioned hypothesis on stochastic solute partition, without excluding, however, the contribution of other factors (e.g., inactivation of components).
Collapse
|
37
|
Yewdall NA, Mason AF, van Hest JCM. The hallmarks of living systems: towards creating artificial cells. Interface Focus 2018; 8:20180023. [PMID: 30443324 PMCID: PMC6227776 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2018.0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the astonishing diversity and complexity of living systems, they all share five common hallmarks: compartmentalization, growth and division, information processing, energy transduction and adaptability. In this review, we give not only examples of how cells satisfy these requirements for life and the ways in which it is possible to emulate these characteristics in engineered platforms, but also the gaps that remain to be bridged. The bottom-up synthesis of life-like systems continues to be driven forward by the advent of new technologies, by the discovery of biological phenomena through their transplantation to experimentally simpler constructs and by providing insights into one of the oldest questions posed by mankind, the origin of life on Earth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jan C. M. van Hest
- Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513 (STO 3.31), Eindhoven, MB, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Tsuji G, Sunami T, Ichihashi N. Production of giant unilamellar vesicles by the water-in-oil emulsion-transfer method without high internal concentrations of sugars. J Biosci Bioeng 2018; 126:540-545. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2018.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
|
39
|
Hybrid cell reactor system from Escherichia coli protoplast cells and arrayed lipid bilayer chamber device. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11757. [PMID: 30082826 PMCID: PMC6078950 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30231-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed a novel hybrid cell reactor system via functional fusion of single Escherichia coli protoplast cells, that are deficient in cell wall and expose plasma membrane, with arrayed lipid bilayer chambers on a device in order to incorporate the full set of cytosolic and membrane constituents into the artificial chambers. We investigated gene expression activity to represent the viability of the hybrid cell reactors: over 20% of hybrid cells showed gene expression activity from plasmid or mRNA. This suggests that the hybrid cell reactors retained fundamental activity of genetic information transduction. To expand the applicability of the hybrid cell reactors, we also developed the E. coli-in-E. coli cytoplasm system as an artificial parasitism system. Over 30% of encapsulated E. coli cells exhibited normal cell division, showing that hybrid cells can accommodate and cultivate living cells. This novel artificial cell reactor technology would enable unique approaches for synthetic cell researches such as reconstruction of living cell, artificial parasitism/symbiosis system, or physical simulation to test functionality of synthetic genome.
Collapse
|
40
|
Altamura E, Carrara P, D'Angelo F, Mavelli F, Stano P. Extrinsic stochastic factors (solute partition) in gene expression inside lipid vesicles and lipid-stabilized water-in-oil droplets: a review. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2018; 3:ysy011. [PMID: 32995519 PMCID: PMC7445889 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysy011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The encapsulation of transcription-translation (TX-TL) machinery inside lipid vesicles and water-in-oil droplets leads to the construction of cytomimetic systems (often called 'synthetic cells') for synthetic biology and origins-of-life research. A number of recent reports have shown that protein synthesis inside these microcompartments is highly diverse in terms of rate and amount of synthesized protein. Here, we discuss the role of extrinsic stochastic effects (i.e. solute partition phenomena) as relevant factors contributing to this pattern. We evidence and discuss cases where between-compartment diversity seems to exceed the expected theoretical values. The need of accurate determination of solute content inside individual vesicles or droplets is emphasized, aiming at validating or rejecting the predictions calculated from the standard fluctuations theory. At the same time, we promote the integration of experiments and stochastic modeling to reveal the details of solute encapsulation and intra-compartment reactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Altamura
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, I-70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Paolo Carrara
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, I-00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca D'Angelo
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, I-00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Mavelli
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, I-70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Stano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Ecotekne, I-73100, Lecce, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Tsugane M, Suzuki H. Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction in Giant Unilamellar Vesicles. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9214. [PMID: 29907779 PMCID: PMC6003926 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27547-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We assessed the applicability of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) for RNA detection using in vesicle reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We prepared GUVs that encapsulated one-pot RT-PCR reaction mixture including template RNA, primers, and Taqman probe, using water-in-oil emulsion transfer method. After thermal cycling, we analysed the GUVs that exhibited intense fluorescence signals, which represented the cDNA amplification. The detailed analysis of flow cytometry data demonstrated that rRNA and mRNA in the total RNA can be amplified from 10–100 copies in the GUVs with 5–10 μm diameter, although the fraction of reactable GUV was approximately 60% at most. Moreover, we report that the target RNA, which was directly transferred into the GUV reactors via membrane fusion, can be amplified and detected using in vesicle RT-PCR. These results suggest that the GUVs can be used as biomimetic reactors capable of performing PCR and RT-PCR, which are important in analytical and diagnostic applications with additional functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mamiko Tsugane
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suzuki
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Zhou X, Wu H, Cui M, Lai SN, Zheng B. Long-lived protein expression in hydrogel particles: towards artificial cells. Chem Sci 2018; 9:4275-4279. [PMID: 29780558 PMCID: PMC5944208 DOI: 10.1039/c8sc00383a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein we report a new type of cell-mimic particle capable of long-lived protein expression. We constructed the cell-mimic particles by immobilizing the proteinaceous factors of the cell-free transcription and translation system on the polymer backbone of hydrogel particles and encapsulating the plasmid template and ribosome inside the hydrogel. With the continuous supply of nutrients and energy, the protein expression in the cell-mimic particles remained stable for at least 11 days. We achieved the regulation of protein expression in the cell-mimic particles by the usage of lac operon. The cell-mimic particles quickly responded to the concentration change of isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) in the feeding buffer to regulate the mCherry expression level. We also constructed an in vitro genetic oscillator in the cell-mimic particles. Protein LacI provided a negative feedback to the expression of both LacI itself and eGFP, and the expression level change of eGFP presented an oscillation. We expect the cell-mimic particles to be a useful platform for gene circuit engineering, metabolic engineering, and biosensors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhou
- Department of Chemistry , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin , Hong Kong , P. R. China .
| | - Han Wu
- Department of Chemistry , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin , Hong Kong , P. R. China .
| | - Miao Cui
- Department of Chemistry , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin , Hong Kong , P. R. China .
| | - Sze Nga Lai
- Department of Chemistry , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin , Hong Kong , P. R. China .
| | - Bo Zheng
- Department of Chemistry , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin , Hong Kong , P. R. China .
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Rampioni G, D'Angelo F, Messina M, Zennaro A, Kuruma Y, Tofani D, Leoni L, Stano P. Synthetic cells produce a quorum sensing chemical signal perceived by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:2090-2093. [PMID: 29334092 DOI: 10.1039/c7cc09678j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent developments in bottom-up synthetic biology (e.g., lipid vesicle technology integrated with cell-free protein expression systems) allow the generation of semi-synthetic minimal cells (in short, synthetic cells, SCs) endowed with some distinctive capacities of natural cells. In particular, such approaches provide technological tools and conceptual frameworks for the design and engineering of programmable SCs capable of communicating with natural cells by exchanging chemical signals. Here we describe the generation of giant vesicle-based SCs which, via gene expression, synthesize in their aqueous lumen an enzyme that in turn produces a chemical signal. The latter is a small molecule, which is passively released in the medium and then perceived by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, demonstrating that SCs and bacteria can communicate chemically. The results pave the way to a novel basic and applied research area where synthetic cells can communicate with natural cells, for example for exploring minimal cognition, developing chemical information technologies, and producing smart and programmable drug-producing/drug-delivery systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giordano Rampioni
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Kawamura K. Hydrothermal Microflow Technology as a Research Tool for Origin-of-Life Studies in Extreme Earth Environments. Life (Basel) 2017; 7:E37. [PMID: 28974048 PMCID: PMC5745550 DOI: 10.3390/life7040037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although studies about the origin of life are a frontier in science and a number of effective approaches have been developed, drawbacks still exist. Examples include: (1) simulation of chemical evolution experiments (which were demonstrated for the first time by Stanley Miller); (2) approaches tracing back the most primitive life-like systems (on the basis of investigations of present organisms); and (3) constructive approaches for making life-like systems (on the basis of molecular biology), such as in vitro construction of the RNA world. Naturally, simulation experiments of chemical evolution under plausible ancient Earth environments have been recognized as a potentially fruitful approach. Nevertheless, simulation experiments seem not to be sufficient for identifying the scenario from molecules to life. This is because primitive Earth environments are still not clearly defined and a number of possibilities should be taken into account. In addition, such environments frequently comprise extreme conditions when compared to the environments of present organisms. Therefore, we need to realize the importance of accurate and convenient experimental approaches that use practical research tools, which are resistant to high temperature and pressure, to facilitate chemical evolution studies. This review summarizes improvements made in such experimental approaches over the last two decades, focusing primarily on our hydrothermal microflow reactor technology. Microflow reactor systems are a powerful tool for performing simulation experiments in diverse simulated hydrothermal Earth conditions in order to measure the kinetics of formation and degradation and the interactions of biopolymers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kunio Kawamura
- Department of Human Environmental Studies, Hiroshima Shudo University, Ozuka-higashi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima 731-3195, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Cell-free protein synthesis in micro compartments: building a minimal cell from biobricks. N Biotechnol 2017; 39:199-205. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2017.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
46
|
Majumdar S, Pal S. Bacterial intelligence: imitation games, time-sharing, and long-range quantum coherence. J Cell Commun Signal 2017; 11:281-284. [PMID: 28516324 PMCID: PMC5559398 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-017-0394-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria are far more intelligent than we can think of. They adopt different survival strategies to make their life comfortable. Researches on bacterial communication to date suggest that bacteria can communicate with each other using chemical signaling molecules as well as using ion channel mediated electrical signaling. Though in past few decades the scopes of chemical signaling have been investigated extensively, those of electrical signaling have received less attention. In this article, we present a novel perspective on time-sharing behavior, which maintains the biofilm growth under reduced nutrient supply between two distant biofilms through electrical signaling based on the experimental evidence reported by Liu et al., in 2017. In addition, following the recent work by Humphries et al. Cell 168(1):200-209, in 2017, we highlight the consequences of long range electrical signaling within biofilm communities through spatially propagating waves of potassium. Furthermore, we address the possibility of two-way cellular communication between artificial and natural cells through chemical signaling being inspired by recent experimental observation (Lentini et al. 2017) where the efficiency of artificial cells in imitating the natural cells is estimated through cellular Turing test. These three spectacular observations lead us to envisage and devise new classical and quantum views of these complex biochemical networks that have never been realized previously.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarangam Majumdar
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Scienze Informatiche e Matematica, Università degli Studi di L’Aquila, Via Vetoio – Loc. Coppito, 67010 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Sukla Pal
- Theoretical Physics Division, Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 India
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Siontorou CG, Nikoleli GP, Nikolelis DP, Karapetis SK. Artificial Lipid Membranes: Past, Present, and Future. MEMBRANES 2017; 7:E38. [PMID: 28933723 PMCID: PMC5618123 DOI: 10.3390/membranes7030038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The multifaceted role of biological membranes prompted early the development of artificial lipid-based models with a primary view of reconstituting the natural functions in vitro so as to study and exploit chemoreception for sensor engineering. Over the years, a fair amount of knowledge on the artificial lipid membranes, as both, suspended or supported lipid films and liposomes, has been disseminated and has helped to diversify and expand initial scopes. Artificial lipid membranes can be constructed by several methods, stabilized by various means, functionalized in a variety of ways, experimented upon intensively, and broadly utilized in sensor development, drug testing, drug discovery or as molecular tools and research probes for elucidating the mechanics and the mechanisms of biological membranes. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art, discusses the diversity of applications, and presents future perspectives. The newly-introduced field of artificial cells further broadens the applicability of artificial membranes in studying the evolution of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina G Siontorou
- Laboratory of Simulation of Industrial Processes, Department of Industrial Management and Technology, School of Maritime and Industry, University of Piraeus, 18534 Piraeus, Greece.
| | - Georgia-Paraskevi Nikoleli
- Laboratory of Inorganic & Analytical Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece.
| | - Dimitrios P Nikolelis
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece.
| | - Stefanos K Karapetis
- Laboratory of Inorganic & Analytical Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Altamura E, Fiorentino R, Milano F, Trotta M, Palazzo G, Stano P, Mavelli F. First moves towards photoautotrophic synthetic cells: In vitro study of photosynthetic reaction centre and cytochrome bc1 complex interactions. Biophys Chem 2017; 229:46-56. [PMID: 28688734 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2017.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Following a bottom-up synthetic biology approach it is shown that vesicle-based cell-like systems (shortly "synthetic cells") can be designed and assembled to perform specific function (for biotechnological applications) and for studies in the origin-of-life field. We recently focused on the construction of synthetic cells capable to converting light into chemical energy. Here we first present our approach, which has been realized so far by the reconstitution of photosynthetic reaction centre in the membrane of giant lipid vesicles. Next, the details of our ongoing research program are presented. It involves the use of the reaction centre, the coenzyme Q-cytochrome c oxidoreductase, and the ATP synthase for creating an autonomous synthetic cell. We show experimental results on the chemistry of the first two proteins showing that they can efficiently sustain light-driven chemical oscillations. Moreover, the cyclic pattern has been reproduced in silico by a minimal kinetic model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Altamura
- Chemistry Department, University "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona 4, I-70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa Fiorentino
- Chemistry Department, University "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona 4, I-70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Milano
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici, Via Orabona 4, I-70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Massimo Trotta
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici, Via Orabona 4, I-70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Gerardo Palazzo
- Chemistry Department, University "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona 4, I-70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Stano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Ecotekne, I-73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Fabio Mavelli
- Chemistry Department, University "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona 4, I-70126 Bari, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Adamala KP, Martin-Alarcon DA, Guthrie-Honea KR, Boyden ES. Engineering genetic circuit interactions within and between synthetic minimal cells. Nat Chem 2017; 9:431-439. [PMID: 28430194 PMCID: PMC5407321 DOI: 10.1038/nchem.2644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 219] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Genetic circuits and reaction cascades are of great importance for synthetic biology, biochemistry and bioengineering. An open question is how to maximize the modularity of their design to enable the integration of different reaction networks and to optimize their scalability and flexibility. One option is encapsulation within liposomes, which enables chemical reactions to proceed in well-isolated environments. Here we adapt liposome encapsulation to enable the modular, controlled compartmentalization of genetic circuits and cascades. We demonstrate that it is possible to engineer genetic circuit-containing synthetic minimal cells (synells) to contain multiple-part genetic cascades, and that these cascades can be controlled by external signals as well as inter-liposomal communication without crosstalk. We also show that liposomes that contain different cascades can be fused in a controlled way so that the products of incompatible reactions can be brought together. Synells thus enable a more modular creation of synthetic biology cascades, an essential step towards their ultimate programmability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel A. Martin-Alarcon
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Edward S. Boyden
- Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Lentini R, Martín NY, Forlin M, Belmonte L, Fontana J, Cornella M, Martini L, Tamburini S, Bentley WE, Jousson O, Mansy SS. Two-Way Chemical Communication between Artificial and Natural Cells. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2017; 3:117-123. [PMID: 28280778 PMCID: PMC5324081 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.6b00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Artificial cells capable of both sensing and sending chemical messages to bacteria have yet to be built. Here we show that artificial cells that are able to sense and synthesize quorum signaling molecules can chemically communicate with V. fischeri, V. harveyi, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. Activity was assessed by fluorescence, luminescence, RT-qPCR, and RNA-seq. Two potential applications for this technology were demonstrated. First, the extent to which artificial cells could imitate natural cells was quantified by a type of cellular Turing test. Artificial cells capable of sensing and in response synthesizing and releasing N-3-(oxohexanoyl)homoserine lactone showed a high degree of likeness to natural V. fischeri under specific test conditions. Second, artificial cells that sensed V. fischeri and in response degraded a quorum signaling molecule of P. aeruginosa (N-(3-oxododecanoyl)homoserine lactone) were constructed, laying the foundation for future technologies that control complex networks of natural cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Lentini
- CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo, Italy
| | - Noël Yeh Martín
- CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo, Italy
| | - Michele Forlin
- CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo, Italy
| | - Luca Belmonte
- CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo, Italy
| | - Jason Fontana
- CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo, Italy
| | | | - Laura Martini
- CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo, Italy
| | | | - William E. Bentley
- Institute
for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, College
Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Olivier Jousson
- CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo, Italy
| | - Sheref S. Mansy
- CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo, Italy
- E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|