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Holkar A, Gao S, Villaseñor K, Lake M, Srivastava S. Quantitative turbidimetric characterization of stabilized complex coacervate dispersions. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:5060-5070. [PMID: 38743276 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01761c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Stabilizing complex coacervate microdroplets is desirable due to their various applications, such as bioreactors, drug delivery vehicles, and encapsulants. Here, we present quantitative characterization of complex coacervate dispersion stability inferred by turbidimetry measurements. The stability of the dispersions is shown to be modulated by the concentrations of comb polyelectrolyte (cPE) stabilizers and salt. We demonstrate cPEs as effective stabilizers for complex coacervate dispersions independent of the chemistry or length of the constituent polyelectrolytes, salts, or preparation routes. By monitoring the temporal evolution of dispersion turbidity, we show that cPEs suppress microdroplet coalescence with minimal change in microdroplet sizes over 48 hours, even at salt concentrations up to 300 mM. The number density and average microdroplet size are shown to be controlled by varying the cPE and salt concentrations. Lastly, turbidity maps, akin to binodal phase maps, depict an expansion of the turbid two-phase region and an increase in the salt resistance of the coacervates upon the introduction of cPEs. The coacervate salt resistance is shown to increase by >3×, and this increase is maintained for up to 15 days, demonstrating that cPEs impart higher salt resistance over extended durations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Advait Holkar
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Shang Gao
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Kathleen Villaseñor
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Michael Lake
- NSF BioPACIFIC MIP, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Samanvaya Srivastava
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
- NSF BioPACIFIC MIP, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Institute for Carbon Management, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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2
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Lamy H, Bullier-Marchandin E, Pointel C, Echalard A, Ladam GD, Lutzweiler G. Kinetic Study of the Esterase-like Activity of Albumin following Condensation by Macromolecular Crowding. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:2803-2813. [PMID: 38629692 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
The ability of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to form condensates in crowded environments has been discovered only recently. Effects of this condensed state on the secondary structure of the protein have already been unraveled as some aging aspects, but the pseudo-enzymatic behavior of condensed BSA has never been reported yet. This article investigates the kinetic profile of para-nitrophenol acetate hydrolysis by BSA in its condensed state with poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) as the crowding agent. Furthermore, the initial BSA concentration was varied between 0.25 and 1 mM which allowed us to modify the size distribution, the volume fraction, and the partition coefficient (varying from 136 to 180). Hence, the amount of BSA originally added was a simple way to modulate the size and density of the condensates. Compared with dilute BSA, the initial velocity (vi) with condensates was dramatically reduced. From the Michaelis-Menten fits, the extracted Michaelis constant Km and the maximum velocity Vmax decreased in control samples without condensates when the BSA concentration increased, which was attributed to BSA self-oligomerization. In samples containing condensates, the observed vi was interpreted as an effect of diluted BSA remaining in the supernatants and from the condensates. In supernatants, the crowding effect of PEG increased the kcat and catalytic efficiency. Last, Vmax was proportional to the volume fraction of the condensates, which could be controlled by varying its initial concentration. Hence, the major significance of this article is the control of the size and volume fraction of albumin condensates, along with their kinetic profile using liquid-liquid phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honorine Lamy
- University of Rouen Normandy, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, PBS UMR 6270, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | | | - Cléo Pointel
- University of Rouen Normandy, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, PBS UMR 6270, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Aline Echalard
- University of Rouen Normandy, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, PBS UMR 6270, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Guy Daniel Ladam
- University of Rouen Normandy, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, PBS UMR 6270, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Gaëtan Lutzweiler
- University of Rouen Normandy, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, PBS UMR 6270, F-76000 Rouen, France
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Maheshwari R, Sharma M, Chidrawar VR. Niosomes based formulation containing tenoxicam: A newer solution for the rheumatic diseases. ANNALES PHARMACEUTIQUES FRANÇAISES 2024; 82:473-482. [PMID: 37923009 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2023.10.010] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This investigation aimed to explore the potential of non-ionic surfactant based niosomal vesicles encapsulating tenoxicam (TN; anti-rheumatic drug) for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS Mechanical dispersion technique with controlled pressure was employed to prepare different niosomal formulations. The effects of different ratios of surfactant (span-60), lipid, and sodium deoxycholate on noisome's physicochemical properties have been examined. Moreover, inhibition of TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide-activated cultured Human leukemia monocytic (THP-1) cells were demonstrated to assess the in vitro inflammation profile. Finally, the optimized niosomal formulation (TN3) was prepared in gel matrix consist of carbopol 934 (termed as TN34) and stability was also tested at 4±2 ̊C, 25±2 ̊C, 37±2 ̊C and 45±2 ̊C for 6 months. RESULTS The optimized niosomal formulation exhibited a small vesicle size (165±14nm) and high drug encapsulation (79.64±1.5%). Niosomal gel formulation TN34 showed pH (6.7), viscosity (6810±3.34 cps), spreadability (19.11±1.87gm.cm/sec) and also displayed sustained release pattern of drug release (98.16±0.07% TN released from gel matrix in 24h) in vitro release study. TN34 exhibited substantial anti-inflammatory response, with ∼75% inhibition of TNF-α in 48h. Stability investigation revealed that refrigerator temperature is most suitable for the storage of niosomal gel. CONCLUSION Transdermal niosomal formulation displayed promising potential in the treatment of rheumatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Maheshwari
- School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) Deemed-to-University, Green Industrial Park, TSIIC, Jadcherla-509301, Hyderabad, India.
| | - Mayank Sharma
- School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) Deemed-to-University, Shirpur-425405, MH, India
| | - Vijay R Chidrawar
- School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) Deemed-to-University, Green Industrial Park, TSIIC, Jadcherla-509301, Hyderabad, India
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van Haren MHI, Visser BS, Spruijt E. Probing the surface charge of condensates using microelectrophoresis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3564. [PMID: 38670952 PMCID: PMC11053090 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47885-2] [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: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates play an important role in cellular organization. Coacervates are commonly used models that mimic the physicochemical properties of biomolecular condensates. The surface of condensates plays a key role in governing molecular exchange between condensates, accumulation of species at the interface, and the stability of condensates against coalescence. However, most important surface properties, including the surface charge and zeta potential, remain poorly characterized and understood. The zeta potential of coacervates is often measured using laser doppler electrophoresis, which assumes a size-independent electrophoretic mobility. Here, we show that this assumption is incorrect for liquid-like condensates and present an alternative method to study the electrophoretic mobility of coacervates and in vitro condensate models by microelectrophoresis and single-particle tracking. Coacervates have a size-dependent electrophoretic mobility, originating from their fluid nature, from which a well-defined zeta potential is calculated. Interestingly, microelectrophoresis measurements reveal that polylysine chains are enriched at the surface of polylysine/polyaspartic acid complex coacervates, which causes the negatively charged protein ɑ-synuclein to adsorb and accumulate at the interface. Addition of ATP inverts the surface charge, displaces ɑ-synuclein from the surface and may help to suppress its interface-catalyzed aggregation. Together, these findings show how condensate surface charge can be measured and altered, making this microelectrophoresis platform combined with automated single-particle tracking a promising characterization technique for both biomolecular condensates and coacervate protocells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlijn H I van Haren
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6523, AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Brent S Visser
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6523, AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6523, AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Naz M, Zhang L, Chen C, Yang S, Dou H, Mann S, Li J. Self-assembly of stabilized droplets from liquid-liquid phase separation for higher-order structures and functions. Commun Chem 2024; 7:79. [PMID: 38594355 PMCID: PMC11004187 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01168-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Dynamic microscale droplets produced by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) have emerged as appealing biomaterials due to their remarkable features. However, the instability of droplets limits the construction of population-level structures with collective behaviors. Here we first provide a brief background of droplets in the context of materials properties. Subsequently, we discuss current strategies for stabilizing droplets including physical separation and chemical modulation. We also discuss the recent development of LLPS droplets for various applications such as synthetic cells and biomedical materials. Finally, we give insights on how stabilized droplets can self-assemble into higher-order structures displaying coordinated functions to fully exploit their potentials in bottom-up synthetic biology and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehwish Naz
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Chong Chen
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6, Turku, 20520, Finland
| | - Shuo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Hongjing Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Stephen Mann
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK.
| | - Jianwei Li
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6, Turku, 20520, Finland.
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Abeysinghe AADT, Young EJ, Rowland AT, Dunshee LC, Urandur S, Sullivan MO, Kerfeld CA, Keating CD. Interfacial Assembly of Bacterial Microcompartment Shell Proteins in Aqueous Multiphase Systems. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2308390. [PMID: 38037673 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202308390] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Compartments are a fundamental feature of life, based variously on lipid membranes, protein shells, or biopolymer phase separation. Here, this combines self-assembling bacterial microcompartment (BMC) shell proteins and liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) to develop new forms of compartmentalization. It is found that BMC shell proteins assemble at the liquid-liquid interfaces between either 1) the dextran-rich droplets and PEG-rich continuous phase of a poly(ethyleneglycol)(PEG)/dextran aqueous two-phase system, or 2) the polypeptide-rich coacervate droplets and continuous dilute phase of a polylysine/polyaspartate complex coacervate system. Interfacial protein assemblies in the coacervate system are sensitive to the ratio of cationic to anionic polypeptides, consistent with electrostatically-driven assembly. In both systems, interfacial protein assembly competes with aggregation, with protein concentration and polycation availability impacting coating. These two LLPS systems are then combined to form a three-phase system wherein coacervate droplets are contained within dextran-rich phase droplets. Interfacial localization of BMC hexameric shell proteins is tunable in a three-phase system by changing the polyelectrolyte charge ratio. The tens-of-micron scale BMC shell protein-coated droplets introduced here can accommodate bioactive cargo such as enzymes or RNA and represent a new synthetic cell strategy for organizing biomimetic functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric J Young
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Andrew T Rowland
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, 16801, USA
| | - Lucas C Dunshee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Sandeep Urandur
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Millicent O Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Cheryl A Kerfeld
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Christine D Keating
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, 16801, USA
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Lin Z, Beneyton T, Baret JC, Martin N. Coacervate Droplets for Synthetic Cells. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300496. [PMID: 37462244 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The design and construction of synthetic cells - human-made microcompartments that mimic features of living cells - have experienced a real boom in the past decade. While many efforts have been geared toward assembling membrane-bounded compartments, coacervate droplets produced by liquid-liquid phase separation have emerged as an alternative membrane-free compartmentalization paradigm. Here, the dual role of coacervate droplets in synthetic cell research is discussed: encapsulated within membrane-enclosed compartments, coacervates act as surrogates of membraneless organelles ubiquitously found in living cells; alternatively, they can be viewed as crowded cytosol-like chassis for constructing integrated synthetic cells. After introducing key concepts of coacervation and illustrating the chemical diversity of coacervate systems, their physicochemical properties and resulting bioinspired functions are emphasized. Moving from suspensions of free floating coacervates, the two nascent roles of these droplets in synthetic cell research are highlighted: organelle-like modules and cytosol-like templates. Building the discussion on recent studies from the literature, the potential of coacervate droplets to assemble integrated synthetic cells capable of multiple life-inspired functions is showcased. Future challenges that are still to be tackled in the field are finally discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Lin
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Thomas Beneyton
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Baret
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Nicolas Martin
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
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Lu T, Javed S, Bonfio C, Spruijt E. Interfacing Coacervates with Membranes: From Artificial Organelles and Hybrid Protocells to Intracellular Delivery. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300294. [PMID: 37354057 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalization is crucial for the functioning of cells. Membranes enclose and protect the cell, regulate the transport of molecules entering and exiting the cell, and organize cellular machinery in subcompartments. In addition, membraneless condensates, or coacervates, offer dynamic compartments that act as biomolecular storage centers, organizational hubs, or reaction crucibles. Emerging evidence shows that phase-separated membraneless bodies in the cell are involved in a wide range of functional interactions with cellular membranes, leading to transmembrane signaling, membrane remodeling, intracellular transport, and vesicle formation. Such functional and dynamic interplay between phase-separated droplets and membranes also offers many potential benefits to artificial cells, as shown by recent studies involving coacervates and liposomes. Depending on the relative sizes and interaction strength between coacervates and membranes, coacervates can serve as artificial membraneless organelles inside liposomes, as templates for membrane assembly and hybrid artificial cell formation, as membrane remodelers for tubulation and possibly division, and finally, as cargo containers for transport and delivery of biomolecules across membranes by endocytosis or direct membrane crossing. Here, recent experimental examples of each of these functions are reviewed and the underlying physicochemical principles and possible future applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiemei Lu
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Sadaf Javed
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia Bonfio
- Institut de Science et d'Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS), CNRS UMR 7006, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, 67083, France
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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Li Q, Song Q, Guo W, Cao Y, Cui X, Chen D, Shum HC. Synthetic Membraneless Droplets for Synaptic-Like Clustering of Lipid Vesicles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202313096. [PMID: 37728515 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202313096] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, the membraneless organelles (MLOs) formed via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) are found to interact intimately with membranous organelles (MOs). One major mode is the clustering of MOs by MLOs, such as the formation of clusters of synaptic vesicles at nerve terminals mediated by the synapsin-rich MLOs. Aqueous droplets, including complex coacervates and aqueous two-phase systems, have been plausible MLO-mimics to emulate or elucidate biological processes. However, neither of them can cluster lipid vesicles (LVs) like MLOs. In this work, we develop a synthetic droplet assembled from a combination of two different interactions underlying the formation of these two droplets, namely, associative and segregative interactions, which we call segregative-associative (SA) droplets. The SA droplets cluster and disperse LVs recapitulating the key functional features of synapsin condensates, which can be attributed to the weak electrostatic interaction environment provided by SA droplets. This work suggests LLPS with combined segregative and associative interactions as a possible route for synaptic clustering of lipid vesicles and highlights SA droplets as plausible MLO-mimics and models for studying and mimicking related cellular dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingchuan Li
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, Shandong University, 27 Shanda Nanlu, Jinan, Shandong, P.R.China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), Hong Kong, China
| | - Qingchun Song
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), Hong Kong, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xinyu Cui
- Department of Public Health, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, 157000, P. R. China
| | - Dairong Chen
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, Shandong University, 27 Shanda Nanlu, Jinan, Shandong, P.R.China
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), Hong Kong, China
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Forenzo C, Larsen J. Complex Coacervates as a Promising Vehicle for mRNA Delivery: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Advances and Challenges. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:4387-4403. [PMID: 37561647 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00439] [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] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapies have gained significant attention, following the successful deployment of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. Compared with traditional methods of genetic modification, mRNA-based therapies offer several advantages, including a lower risk of genetic mutations, temporary and controlled therapeutic gene expression, and a shorter production time, which facilitates rapid responses to emerging health challenges. Moreover, mRNA-based therapies have shown immense potential in treating a wide range of diseases including cancers, immune diseases, and neurological disorders. However, the current limitations of non-viral vectors for efficient and safe delivery of mRNA therapies, such as low encapsulation efficiency, potential toxicity, and limited stability, necessitate the exploration of novel strategies to overcome these challenges and fully realize the potential of mRNA-based therapeutics. Coacervate-based delivery systems have recently emerged as promising strategies for enhancing mRNA delivery. Coacervates, which are formed by the aggregation of two or more macromolecules, have shown great potential in delivering a wide range of therapeutics due to their ability to form a separated macromolecular-rich fluid phase in an aqueous environment. This phase separation enables the entrapment and protection of therapeutic agents from degradation as well as efficient cellular uptake and controlled release. Additionally, the natural affinity of coacervates for mRNA molecules presents an excellent opportunity for enhancing mRNA delivery to targeted cells and tissues, making coacervate-based delivery systems an attractive option for mRNA-based therapies. This review highlights the limitations of current strategies for mRNA delivery and the advantages of coacervate-based delivery systems to enable mRNA therapeutics. Coacervates protect mRNA from enzymatic degradation and enhance cellular uptake, leading to sustained and controlled gene expression. Despite their promising properties, the specific use of coacervates as mRNA delivery vehicles remains underexplored. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of coacervate-mediated delivery of mRNA, exploring the properties and applications of different coacervating agents as well as the challenges and optimization strategies involved in mRNA encapsulation, release, stability, and translation via coacervate-mediated delivery. Through a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements and recommended future directions, our review sheds light on the promising role of coacervate-mediated delivery for RNA therapeutics, highlighting its potential to enable groundbreaking applications in drug delivery and gene therapy.
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Ji Y, Lin Y, Qiao Y. Plant Cell-Inspired Membranization of Coacervate Protocells with a Structured Polysaccharide Layer. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37267599 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c01326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The design of compartmentalized colloids that exhibit biomimetic properties is providing model systems for developing synthetic cell-like entities (protocells). Inspired by the cell walls in plant cells, we developed a method to prepare membranized coacervates as protocell models by coating membraneless liquid-like microdroplets with a protective layer of rigid polysaccharides. Membranization not only endowed colloidal stability and prevented aggregation and coalescence but also facilitated selective biomolecule sequestration and chemical exchange across the membrane. The polysaccharide wall surrounding coacervate protocells acted as a stimuli-responsive structural barrier that enabled enzyme-triggered membrane lysis to initiate internalization and killing of Escherichia coli. The membranized coacervates were capable of spatial organization into structured tissue-like protocell assemblages, offering a means to mimic metabolism and cell-to-cell communication. We envision that surface engineering of protocells as developed in this work generates a platform for constructing advanced synthetic cell mimetics and sophisticated cell-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanglimin Ji
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yiyang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yan Qiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Ameta S, Kumar M, Chakraborty N, Matsubara YJ, S P, Gandavadi D, Thutupalli S. Multispecies autocatalytic RNA reaction networks in coacervates. Commun Chem 2023; 6:91. [PMID: 37156998 PMCID: PMC10167250 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-00887-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Robust localization of self-reproducing autocatalytic chemistries is a key step in the realization of heritable and evolvable chemical systems. While autocatalytic chemical reaction networks already possess attributes such as heritable self-reproduction and evolvability, localizing functional multispecies networks within complex primitive phases, such as coacervates, has remained unexplored. Here, we show the self-reproduction of the Azoarcus ribozyme system within charge-rich coacervates where catalytic ribozymes are produced by the autocatalytic assembly of constituent smaller RNA fragments. We systematically demonstrate the catalytic assembly of active ribozymes within phase-separated coacervates-both in micron-sized droplets as well as in a coalesced macrophase, underscoring the facility of the complex, charge-rich phase to support these reactions in multiple configurations. By constructing multispecies reaction networks, we show that these newly assembled molecules are active, participating both in self- and cross-catalysis within the coacervates. Finally, due to differential molecular transport, these phase-separated compartments endow robustness to the composition of the collectively autocatalytic networks against external perturbations. Altogether, our results establish the formation of multispecies self-reproducing reaction networks in phase-separated compartments which in turn render transient robustness to the network composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Ameta
- Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
- Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University, Plot No. 2, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, P.O. Rai, Sonepat, Haryana, 131029, India.
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Nayan Chakraborty
- Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Yoshiya J Matsubara
- Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Prashanth S
- Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Dhanush Gandavadi
- Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Shashi Thutupalli
- Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
- International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
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13
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Yeh CW, Wang Y. Coacervate-Filled Lipid Vesicles for Protein Delivery. Macromol Biosci 2023:e2200538. [PMID: 36749955 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Macromolecularly crowded coacervate is useful in protein delivery for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, coacervate tends to aggregate easily, which impedes their application. Here, this work presents a method to prepare coacervate with enhanced stability. This work assembles phospholipids on the surface of a coacervate to form lipocoacervate (LipCo). The resultant LipCo possesses a discrete spherical structure with a coacervate interior and phospholipid outer shell. The size of LipCo does not change over the four-week observation window, whereas coacervate coalesced into one bulk phase within 30 min. This work uses vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) as examples to test LipCo's ability to maintain protein bioactivity. The in vitro lymphangiogenesis assay demonstrates that human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) formed increased network of cord in VEGF-C and FGF-2 loaded LipCo group compared to free proteins and proteins loaded in coacervate. Overall, LipCo could serve as a protein delivery vehicle with improved colloidal stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wei Yeh
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Kimball Hall 290, Ithaca, 14853, USA
| | - Yadong Wang
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Kimball Hall 290, Ithaca, 14853, USA
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14
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Gao N, Mann S. Membranized Coacervate Microdroplets: from Versatile Protocell Models to Cytomimetic Materials. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:297-307. [PMID: 36625520 PMCID: PMC9910039 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Although complex coacervate microdroplets derived from associative phase separation of counter-charged electrolytes have emerged as a broad platform for the bottom-up construction of membraneless, molecularly crowded protocells, the absence of an enclosing membrane limits the construction of more sophisticated artificial cells and their use as functional cytomimetic materials. To address this problem, we and others have recently developed chemical-based strategies for the membranization of preformed coacervate microdroplets. In this Account, we review our recent work on diverse coacervate systems using a range of membrane building blocks and assembly processes. First, we briefly introduce the unusual nature of the coacervate/water interface, emphasizing the ultralow interfacial tension and broad interfacial width as physiochemical properties that require special attention in the judicious design of membranized coacervate microdroplets. Second, we classify membrane assembly into two different approaches: (i) interfacial self-assembly by using diverse surface-active building blocks such as molecular amphiphiles (fatty acids, phospholipids, block copolymers, protein-polymer conjugates) or nano- and microscale objects (liposomes, nanoparticle surfactants, cell fragments, living cells) with appropriate wettability; and (ii) coacervate droplet-to-vesicle reconfiguration by employing auxiliary surface reconstruction agents or triggering endogenous transitions (self-membranization) under nonstoichiometric (charge mismatched) conditions. We then discuss the key cytomimetic behaviors of membranized coacervate-based model protocells. Customizable permeability is achieved by synergistic effects operating between the molecularly crowded coacervate interior and surrounding membrane. In contrast, metabolic-like endogenous reactivity, diffusive chemical signaling, and collective chemical operations occur specifically in protocell networks comprising diverse populations of membranized coacervate microdroplets. In each case, these cytomimetic behaviors can give rise to functional microscale materials capable of promising cell-like applications. For example, immobilizing spatially segregated enzyme-loaded phospholipid-coated coacervate protocells in concentrically tubular hydrogels delivers prototissue-like bulk materials that generate nitric oxide in vitro, enabling platelet deactivation and inhibition of blood clot formation. Alternatively, therapeutic protocells with in vivo vasoactivity, high hemocompatibility, and increased blood circulation times are constructed by spontaneous assembly of hemoglobin-containing cell-membrane fragments on the surface of enzyme-loaded coacervate microdroplets. Higher-order properties such as artificial endocytosis are achieved by using nanoparticle-caged coacervate protocell hosts that selectively and actively capture guest nano- and microscale objects by responses to exogenous stimuli or via endogenous enzyme-mediated reactions. Finally, we discuss the current limitations in the design and programming of membranized coacervate microdroplets, which may help to guide future directions in this emerging research area. Taken together, we hope that this Account will inspire new advances in membranized coacervate microdroplets and promote their application in the development of integrated protocell models and functional cytomimetic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Gao
- Max
Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, BristolBS8 1TS, United
Kingdom,Centre
for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, BristolBS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Mann
- Max
Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, BristolBS8 1TS, United
Kingdom,Centre
for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, BristolBS8 1TS, United Kingdom,School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai
Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai200240, PR China,Zhangjiang
Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai
Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai201203, PR China,
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15
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Sproncken CM, Gumí-Audenis B, Foroutanparsa S, Magana JR, Voets IK. Controlling the Formation of Polyelectrolyte Complex Nanoparticles Using Programmable pH Reactions. Macromolecules 2022; 56:226-233. [PMID: 36644553 PMCID: PMC9835975 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Enabling complexation of weak polyelectrolytes, in the presence of a programmable pH-modulation, offers a means to achieve temporal control over polyelectrolyte coassembly. Here, by mixing oppositely charged poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(sodium methacrylate) in a (bi)sulfite buffer, nanoscopic complex coacervates are formed. Addition of formaldehyde initiates the formaldehyde-sulfite clock reaction, affecting the polyelectrolyte assembly in two ways. First, the abrupt pH increase from the reaction changes the charge density of the polyelectrolytes and thus the ratio of cationic and anionic species. Simultaneously, reactions between the polyamine and formaldehyde lead to chemical modifications on the polymer. Interestingly, core-shell polymeric nanoparticles are produced, which remain colloidally stable for months. Contrastingly, in the same system, in the absence of the clock reaction, aggregation and phase separation occur within minutes to days after mixing. Introducing an acid-producing reaction enables further temporal control over the coassembly, generating transient nanoparticles with nanoscopic dimensions and an adjustable lifetime of tens of minutes.
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16
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Abesekara MS, Chau Y. Recent advances in surface modification of micro- and nano-scale biomaterials with biological membranes and biomolecules. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:972790. [PMID: 36312538 PMCID: PMC9597319 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.972790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Surface modification of biomaterial can improve its biocompatibility and add new biofunctions, such as targeting specific tissues, communication with cells, and modulation of intracellular trafficking. Here, we summarize the use of various natural materials, namely, cell membrane, exosomes, proteins, peptides, lipids, fatty acids, and polysaccharides as coating materials on micron- and nano-sized particles and droplets with the functions imparted by coating with different materials. We discuss the applicability, operational parameters, and limitation of different coating techniques, from the more conventional approaches such as extrusion and sonication to the latest innovation seen on the microfluidics platform. Methods commonly used in the field to examine the coating, including its composition, physical dimension, stability, fluidity, permeability, and biological functions, are reviewed.
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17
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Slootbeek AD, van Haren MHI, Smokers IBA, Spruijt E. Growth, replication and division enable evolution of coacervate protocells. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:11183-11200. [PMID: 36128910 PMCID: PMC9536485 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc03541c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Living and proliferating cells undergo repeated cycles of growth, replication and division, all orchestrated by complex molecular networks. How a minimal cell cycle emerged and helped primitive cells to evolve remains one of the biggest mysteries in modern science, and is an active area of research in chemistry. Protocells are cell-like compartments that recapitulate features of living cells and may be seen as the chemical ancestors of modern life. While compartmentalization is not strictly required for primitive, open-ended evolution of self-replicating systems, it gives such systems a clear identity by setting the boundaries and it can help them overcome three major obstacles of dilution, parasitism and compatibility. Compartmentalization is therefore widely considered to be a central hallmark of primitive life, and various types of protocells are actively investigated, with the ultimate goal of developing a protocell capable of autonomous proliferation by mimicking the well-known cell cycle of growth, replication and division. We and others have found that coacervates are promising protocell candidates in which chemical building blocks required for life are naturally concentrated, and chemical reactions can be selectively enhanced or suppressed. This feature article provides an overview of how growth, replication and division can be realized with coacervates as protocells and what the bottlenecks are. Considerations are given for designing chemical networks in coacervates that can lead to sustained growth, selective replication and controlled division, in a way that they are linked together like in the cell cycle. Ultimately, such a system may undergo evolution by natural selection of certain phenotypes, leading to adaptation and the gain of new functions, and we end with a brief discussion of the opportunities for coacervates to facilitate this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemiek D Slootbeek
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Merlijn H I van Haren
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Iris B A Smokers
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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18
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Lu T, Liese S, Schoenmakers L, Weber CA, Suzuki H, Huck WTS, Spruijt E. Endocytosis of Coacervates into Liposomes. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:13451-13455. [PMID: 35878395 PMCID: PMC9354246 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c04096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that the interactions between condensates and biological membranes are of functional importance. Here, we study how the interaction between complex coacervates and liposomes as model systems can lead to wetting, membrane deformation, and endocytosis. Depending on the interaction strength between coacervates and liposomes, the wetting behavior ranged from nonwetting to engulfment (endocytosis) and complete wetting. Endocytosis of coacervates was found to be a general phenomenon: coacervates made from a wide range of components could be taken up by liposomes. A simple theory taking into account surface energies and coacervate sizes can explain the observed morphologies. Our findings can help to better understand condensate-membrane interactions in cellular systems and provide new avenues for intracellular delivery using coacervates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiemei Lu
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne Liese
- Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstraße 1, 86159 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Ludo Schoenmakers
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Christoph A Weber
- Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstraße 1, 86159 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Hiroaki Suzuki
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Wilhelm T S Huck
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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19
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Gao S, Srivastava S. Comb Polyelectrolytes Stabilize Complex Coacervate Microdroplet Dispersions. ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:902-909. [PMID: 35786870 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Complex coacervate microdroplets are membraneless compartments that selectively sequester biological molecules from their surroundings and enhance bioreactions. Yet, their use as protocell models and bioreactors has been limited owing to a lack of feasible strategies to prevent their uncontrolled coalescence. Herein, we introduce an approach to mitigate coalescence of complex coacervate microdroplets using comb polyelectrolytes as stabilizers, creating complex coacervate dispersions with months-long stabilities. Tunability of microdroplet size and stability is achieved by the regulation of comb polyelectrolyte concentration and molecular weight. Importantly, the comb polyelectrolyte-stabilized coacervate microdroplets spontaneously sequester and retain proteins over extended periods. Moreover, enhanced catalytic activity of proteins and significant (up to 10-fold) acceleration of bioreactions are achieved in stabilized complex coacervate dispersions, even when stored for up to 48 h. Our findings are expected to expand the utility of complex coacervate microdroplets as artificial protocells, encapsulants, and bioreactors and also facilitate their use in pharmaceutical, agricultural, food, and cosmetics formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Gao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Samanvaya Srivastava
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.,California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.,Center for Biological Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.,Institute for Carbon Management, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
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20
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Liu Z, Chen J, Bai Q, Lin YN, Liang D. Coacervate Formed by an ATP-Binding Aptamer and Its Dynamic Behavior under Nonequilibrium Conditions. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:6425-6434. [PMID: 35543367 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Although numerous protocell models have been developed to explore the possible pathway of the origin of life on the early earth, few truly fulfill the roles of the DNA/RNA sequence and ATP molecules, which are keys to cell replication and evolution. The ATP-binding aptamer offers an opportunity to combine sequence and energy molecules. In this work, we choose the coacervate droplet as the protocell model and investigate the interaction of the DNA aptamer, poly(l-lysine)(PLL), and ATP under varying conditions. PLL and aptamers form solid precipitates, which spontaneously transform to coacervate droplets as ATP is introduced. The selective uptake and sequestration of exogenous molecules is achieved by the ATP-containing coacervates. As an electric field is applied to expel ATP, the portion of the droplet deficient in ATP becomes solid. The solid/liquid phase ratio is tunable by varying the electric field strength and excitation time. Together with the vacuolization process, a solid head with a soft mouth periodically opening and closing is created. Moreover, the composite coacervate droplet gradually grows as it is treated with an electric field and cannot recover to the original liquid phase after the power is turned off and replenished with ATP. Our work highlights that the proper integration of the DNA sequence, ATP, and energy input could be a powerful strategy for creating a protocell with certain living features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jiaxin Chen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qingwen Bai
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ya-Nan Lin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Dehai Liang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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21
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Perro A, Coudon N, Chapel JP, Martin N, Béven L, Douliez JP. Building micro-capsules using water-in-water emulsion droplets as templates. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 613:681-696. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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22
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Yin Z, Tian L, Patil AJ, Li M, Mann S. Spontaneous Membranization in a Silk‐Based Coacervate Protocell Model. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202202302. [PMID: 35176203 PMCID: PMC9306657 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202202302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuping Yin
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry School of Chemistry University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Liangfei Tian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal Zhejiang University 310027 Hangzhou P. R. China
| | - Avinash J. Patil
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry School of Chemistry University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Mei Li
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry School of Chemistry University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
| | - Stephen Mann
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry School of Chemistry University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology School of Chemistry University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
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23
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Mashima T, van Stevendaal MHME, Cornelissens FRA, Mason AF, Rosier BJHM, Altenburg WJ, Oohora K, Hirayama S, Hayashi T, van Hest JCM, Brunsveld L. DNA-Mediated Protein Shuttling between Coacervate-Based Artificial Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202115041. [PMID: 35133040 PMCID: PMC9303767 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202115041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The regulation of protein uptake and secretion is crucial for (inter)cellular signaling. Mimicking these molecular events is essential when engineering synthetic cellular systems. A first step towards achieving this goal is obtaining control over the uptake and release of proteins from synthetic cells in response to an external trigger. Herein, we have developed an artificial cell that sequesters and releases proteinaceous cargo upon addition of a coded chemical signal: single‐stranded DNA oligos (ssDNA) were employed to independently control the localization of a set of three different ssDNA‐modified proteins. The molecular coded signal allows for multiple iterations of triggered uptake and release, regulation of the amount and rate of protein release and the sequential release of the three different proteins. This signaling concept was furthermore used to directionally transfer a protein between two artificial cell populations, providing novel directions for engineering lifelike communication pathways inside higher order (proto)cellular structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Mashima
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.,Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Marleen H M E van Stevendaal
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Femke R A Cornelissens
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander F Mason
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Bas J H M Rosier
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Wiggert J Altenburg
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Koji Oohora
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shota Hirayama
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takashi Hayashi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Jan C M van Hest
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Luc Brunsveld
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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24
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Gao N, Xu C, Yin Z, Li M, Mann S. Triggerable Protocell Capture in Nanoparticle-Caged Coacervate Microdroplets. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:3855-3862. [PMID: 35192333 PMCID: PMC9097475 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c11414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Controlling the dynamics of mixed communities of cell-like entities (protocells) provides a step toward the development of higher-order cytomimetic behaviors in artificial cell consortia. In this paper, we develop a caged protocell model with a molecularly crowded coacervate interior surrounded by a non-cross-linked gold (Au)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) nanoparticle-jammed stimuli-responsive membrane. The jammed membrane is unlocked by either exogenous light-mediated Au/PEG dissociation at the Au surface or endogenous enzyme-mediated cleavage of a ketal linkage on the PEG backbone. The membrane assembly/disassembly process is used for the controlled and selective uptake of guest protocells into the caged coacervate microdroplets as a path toward an all-water model of triggerable transmembrane uptake in synthetic protocell communities. Active capture of the guest protocells stems from the high sequestration potential of the coacervate interior such that tailoring the surface properties of the guest protocells provides a rudimentary system of protocell sorting. Our results highlight the potential for programming surface-contact interactions between artificial membrane-bounded compartments and could have implications for the development of protocell networks, storage and delivery microsystems, and microreactor technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Gao
- Max
Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
- Centre
for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
| | - Can Xu
- Centre
for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
| | - Zhuping Yin
- Centre
for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
| | - Mei Li
- Centre
for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
- School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai
Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Stephen Mann
- Max
Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
- Centre
for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
- School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai
Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
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25
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Yin Z, Tian L, Patil AJ, Li M, Mann S. Spontaneous Membranization in a Silk‐Based Coacervate Protocell Model. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202202302] [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)
- Zhuping Yin
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry School of Chemistry University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Liangfei Tian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal Zhejiang University 310027 Hangzhou P. R. China
| | - Avinash J. Patil
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry School of Chemistry University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Mei Li
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry School of Chemistry University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
| | - Stephen Mann
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry School of Chemistry University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology School of Chemistry University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
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26
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Mashima T, Stevendaal MHME, Cornelissens FRA, Mason AF, Rosier BJHM, Altenburg WJ, Oohora K, Hirayama S, Hayashi T, Hest JCM, Brunsveld L. DNA‐Mediated Protein Shuttling between Coacervate‐Based Artificial Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202115041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Mashima
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Department of Applied Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University Suita 565-0871 Japan
| | - Marleen H. M. E. Stevendaal
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Femke R. A. Cornelissens
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Alexander F. Mason
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Bas J. H. M. Rosier
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Wiggert J. Altenburg
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Koji Oohora
- Department of Applied Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University Suita 565-0871 Japan
| | - Shota Hirayama
- Department of Applied Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University Suita 565-0871 Japan
| | - Takashi Hayashi
- Department of Applied Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University Suita 565-0871 Japan
| | - Jan C. M. Hest
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Luc Brunsveld
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
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27
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Sithamparam M, Satthiyasilan N, Chen C, Jia TZ, Chandru K. A material-based panspermia hypothesis: The potential of polymer gels and membraneless droplets. Biopolymers 2022; 113:e23486. [PMID: 35148427 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The Panspermia hypothesis posits that either life's building blocks (molecular Panspermia) or life itself (organism-based Panspermia) may have been interplanetarily transferred to facilitate the origins of life (OoL) on a given planet, complementing several current OoL frameworks. Although many spaceflight experiments were performed in the past to test for potential terrestrial organisms as Panspermia seeds, it is uncertain whether such organisms will likely "seed" a new planet even if they are able to survive spaceflight. Therefore, rather than using organisms, using abiotic chemicals as seeds has been proposed as part of the molecular Panspermia hypothesis. Here, as an extension of this hypothesis, we introduce and review the plausibility of a polymeric material-based Panspermia seed (M-BPS) as a theoretical concept, where the type of polymeric material that can function as a M-BPS must be able to: (1) survive spaceflight and (2) "function", i.e., contingently drive chemical evolution toward some form of abiogenesis once arriving on a foreign planet. We use polymeric gels as a model example of a potential M-BPS. Polymeric gels that can be prebiotically synthesized on one planet (such as polyester gels) could be transferred to another planet via meteoritic transfer, where upon landing on a liquid bearing planet, can assemble into structures containing cellular-like characteristics and functionalities. Such features presupposed that these gels can assemble into compartments through phase separation to accomplish relevant functions such as encapsulation of primitive metabolic, genetic and catalytic materials, exchange of these materials, motion, coalescence, and evolution. All of these functions can result in the gels' capability to alter local geochemical niches on other planets, thereby allowing chemical evolution to lead to OoL events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahendran Sithamparam
- Space Science Center (ANGKASA), Institute of Climate Change, National University of Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nirmell Satthiyasilan
- Space Science Center (ANGKASA), Institute of Climate Change, National University of Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chen Chen
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tony Z Jia
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan.,Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kuhan Chandru
- Space Science Center (ANGKASA), Institute of Climate Change, National University of Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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28
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Jia TZ, Kuruma Y. Increasing complexity of primitive compartments. Biophys Physicobiol 2021; 18:269-273. [PMID: 34909364 PMCID: PMC8639197 DOI: 10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v18.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tony Z Jia
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, Washington 98154, USA
| | - Yutetsu Kuruma
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research Program, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 237-0061, Japan.,Japan Science and Technology Agency, PRESTO, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
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29
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Zhang Y, Yao Y, Liu S, Chen Y, Zhou S, Wang K, Yang X, Liu J. Coacervate microdroplet protocell-mediated gene transfection for nitric oxide production and induction of cell apoptosis. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:9784-9793. [PMID: 34820677 DOI: 10.1039/d1tb01930a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Liquid coacervate microdroplets have been widely explored as membrane-free compartment protocells for cargo delivery in therapeutic applications. In this study, coacervate protocells were developed as gene carriers for transfection of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) for killing of cancer cells. The coacervate microdroplet protocells were formed via the liquid-liquid phase separation of oppositely charged diethylaminoethyl-dextran/polyacrylic acids. The coacervate microdroplet protocells were found to facilitate gene transfection, which was demonstrated by cell imaging of the internalized coacervate microdroplets containing plasmids of enhanced green fluorescent protein. Due to their high transfection capability, the coacervate protocells were subsequently utilized for the delivery of NOS plasmids (pNOS). The cellular internalization of pNOS-containing coacervate carriers was found to result in high NOS expression coupled with NO overproduction, which then induced cell apoptosis and decreased cell viability. The cell apoptosis is associated with NO-mediated mitochondrial damage. The enhanced gene transfection was attributed to coacervate microdroplets' unique high sequestration capability and liquid-like fluidity. Overall, the incorporation of genes in coacervate microdroplets was demonstrated as a viable and novel strategy for the development of cargo biocarriers for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China.
| | - Yu Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China.
| | - Songyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China.
| | - Yufeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China.
| | - Shaohong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China.
| | - Kemin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaohai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China.
| | - Jianbo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China.
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30
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31
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Pir Cakmak F, Marianelli AM, Keating CD. Phospholipid Membrane Formation Templated by Coacervate Droplets. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:10366-10375. [PMID: 34398617 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c01562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We report the formation of coacervate-supported phospholipid membranes by hydrating a dried lipid film in the presence of coacervate droplets. Coacervate-supported membranes were characterized by fluorescence imaging, polarization, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching of labeled lipids, lipid quenching experiments, and solute uptake experiments. Our findings are consistent with the presence of lipid membranes around the coacervates, with many droplets fully coated by what appear to be continuous lipid bilayers. In contrast to traditional giant lipid vesicles formed by gentle hydration in the absence of coacervates, the coacervate-templated membrane vesicles are more uniform in size, shape, and apparent lamellarity. Due to their fully coacervate model cytoplasm, these simple artificial cells are macromolecularly crowded and can be easily pre-loaded with high concentrations of proteins or nucleic acids. Within the same population, in addition to coacervate droplets having intact lipid membrane coatings, other coacervate droplets are coated with membranes having defects or pores that permit solute entry, and some are coated with multilayered membranes. Membranes surrounding protein-based coacervate droplets provided protection from a protease added to the external solution. The simplicity of producing artificial cells having a coacervate model cytoplasm surrounded by a model membrane is at the same time interesting as a potential mechanism for prebiotic protocell formation and appealing for biotechnology. We anticipate that such structures could serve as a new type of model system for understanding interactions between intracellular phases and cell or organelle membranes, which are implicated in a growing number of processes ranging from neurotransmission to signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Pir Cakmak
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Allyson M Marianelli
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Christine D Keating
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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32
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33
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Martin N, Douliez J. Fatty Acid Vesicles and Coacervates as Model Prebiotic Protocells. CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/syst.202100024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Martin
- Univ. Bordeaux CNRS Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal UMR 5031 115 Avenue du Dr. Albert Schweitzer 33600 Pessac France
| | - Jean‐Paul Douliez
- Univ. Bordeaux INRAE Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie UMR 1332 71 Avenue Edouard Bourlaux 33140 Villenave d'Ornon France
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34
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Zhao C, Li J, Wang S, Xu Z, Wang X, Liu X, Wang L, Huang X. Membranization of Coacervates into Artificial Phagocytes with Predation toward Bacteria. ACS NANO 2021; 15:10048-10057. [PMID: 34047543 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c01694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Coacervate-based membraneless organelles with diverse functionality as well as the capability of mimicking intracellular physiological environments are attracting researchers' great interest. However, the further studies focusing on functionalized membranization of coacervate as a step toward an advanced membrane-bound protocell are still rare. In this study, we develop a way to compartmentalize coacervate based on reconstitution with a natural cellular wall, which could then serve as a promising chassis for the development of protocells with selective sequestration of various biomacromolecules. Significantly, the compartmentalized protocell could behave like a phagocyte and selectively capture, engulf, and then kill Escherichia coli efficiently. Taken together, our studies present a strategy for advancing coacervate-based protocell design as well as the development of smart materials with on-demand functionalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Zhao
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Junbo Li
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Shengliang Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Zhijun Xu
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoliang Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoman Liu
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Lei Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Xin Huang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, P. R. China
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35
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Kubota R, Tanaka W, Hamachi I. Microscopic Imaging Techniques for Molecular Assemblies: Electron, Atomic Force, and Confocal Microscopies. Chem Rev 2021; 121:14281-14347. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryou Kubota
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Wataru Tanaka
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Itaru Hamachi
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
- JST-ERATO, Hamachi Innovative Molecular Technology for Neuroscience, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8530, Japan
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36
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Can coacervation unify disparate hypotheses in the origin of cellular life? Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2020.101415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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37
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Jia TZ, Caudan M, Mamajanov I. Origin of Species before Origin of Life: The Role of Speciation in Chemical Evolution. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:154. [PMID: 33671365 PMCID: PMC7922636 DOI: 10.3390/life11020154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Speciation, an evolutionary process by which new species form, is ultimately responsible for the incredible biodiversity that we observe on Earth every day. Such biodiversity is one of the critical features which contributes to the survivability of biospheres and modern life. While speciation and biodiversity have been amply studied in organismic evolution and modern life, it has not yet been applied to a great extent to understanding the evolutionary dynamics of primitive life. In particular, one unanswered question is at what point in the history of life did speciation as a phenomenon emerge in the first place. Here, we discuss the mechanisms by which speciation could have occurred before the origins of life in the context of chemical evolution. Specifically, we discuss that primitive compartments formed before the emergence of the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) could have provided a mechanism by which primitive chemical systems underwent speciation. In particular, we introduce a variety of primitive compartment structures, and associated functions, that may have plausibly been present on early Earth, followed by examples of both discriminate and indiscriminate speciation affected by primitive modes of compartmentalization. Finally, we discuss modern technologies, in particular, droplet microfluidics, that can be applied to studying speciation phenomena in the laboratory over short timescales. We hope that this discussion highlights the current areas of need in further studies on primitive speciation phenomena while simultaneously proposing directions as important areas of study to the origins of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Z. Jia
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-IE-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan;
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, 1001 4th Ave., Suite 3201, Seattle, WA 98154, USA
| | - Melina Caudan
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-IE-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan;
| | - Irena Mamajanov
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-IE-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan;
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38
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Giuliano CB, Cvjetan N, Ayache J, Walde P. Multivesicular Vesicles: Preparation and Applications. CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/syst.202000049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Camila Betterelli Giuliano
- Elvesys – Microfluidics Innovation Center 172 Rue de Charonne 75011 Paris France
- University of Strasbourg CNRS ISIS UMR 7006 67000 Strasbourg France
| | - Nemanja Cvjetan
- ETH Zürich Department of Materials Laboratory for Multifunctional Materials Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Jessica Ayache
- Elvesys – Microfluidics Innovation Center 172 Rue de Charonne 75011 Paris France
| | - Peter Walde
- ETH Zürich Department of Materials Laboratory for Multifunctional Materials Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5 8093 Zürich Switzerland
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39
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Botterbusch S, Baumgart T. Interactions between Phase-Separated Liquids and Membrane Surfaces. APPLIED SCIENCES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:1288. [PMID: 34327010 PMCID: PMC8315427 DOI: 10.3390/app11031288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation has recently emerged as an important fundamental organizational phenomenon in biological settings. Most studies of biological phase separation have focused on droplets that "condense" from solution above a critical concentration, forming so-called "membraneless organelles" suspended in solution. However, membranes are ubiquitous throughout cells, and many biomolecular condensates interact with membrane surfaces. Such membrane-associated phase-separated systems range from clusters of integral or peripheral membrane proteins in the plane of the membrane to free, spherical droplets wetting membrane surfaces to droplets containing small lipid vesicles. In this review, we consider phase-separated liquids that interact with membrane surfaces and we discuss the consequences of those interactions. The physical properties of distinct liquid phases in contact with bilayers can reshape the membrane, and liquid-liquid phase separation can construct membrane-associated protein structures, modulate their function, and organize collections of lipid vesicles dynamically. We summarize the common phenomena that arise in these systems of liquid phases and membranes.
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40
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Jia TZ, Wang PH, Niwa T, Mamajanov I. Connecting primitive phase separation to biotechnology, synthetic biology, and engineering. J Biosci 2021; 46:79. [PMID: 34373367 PMCID: PMC8342986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
One aspect of the study of the origins of life focuses on how primitive chemistries assembled into the first cells on Earth and how these primitive cells evolved into modern cells. Membraneless droplets generated from liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) are one potential primitive cell-like compartment; current research in origins of life includes study of the structure, function, and evolution of such systems. However, the goal of primitive LLPS research is not simply curiosity or striving to understand one of life's biggest unanswered questions, but also the possibility to discover functions or structures useful for application in the modern day. Many applicational fields, including biotechnology, synthetic biology, and engineering, utilize similar phaseseparated structures to accomplish specific functions afforded by LLPS. Here, we briefly review LLPS applied to primitive compartment research and then present some examples of LLPS applied to biomolecule purification, drug delivery, artificial cell construction, waste and pollution management, and flavor encapsulation. Due to a significant focus on similar functions and structures, there appears to be much for origins of life researchers to learn from those working on LLPS in applicational fields, and vice versa, and we hope that such researchers can start meaningful cross-disciplinary collaborations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Z Jia
- grid.32197.3e0000 0001 2179 2105Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-IE-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550 Japan ,grid.482804.2Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, 1001 4th Ave., Suite 3201, Seattle, Washington 98154 USA
| | - Po-Hsiang Wang
- grid.32197.3e0000 0001 2179 2105Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-IE-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550 Japan ,grid.37589.300000 0004 0532 3167Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Central University, Zhongli Dist, 300 Zhongda Rd, Taoyuan City, 32001 Taiwan
| | - Tatsuya Niwa
- grid.32197.3e0000 0001 2179 2105Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagatsuta-cho 4259, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8503 Japan
| | - Irena Mamajanov
- grid.32197.3e0000 0001 2179 2105Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-IE-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550 Japan
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41
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Prebiotically-relevant low polyion multivalency can improve functionality of membraneless compartments. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5949. [PMID: 33230101 PMCID: PMC7683531 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19775-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Multivalent polyions can undergo complex coacervation, producing membraneless compartments that accumulate ribozymes and enhance catalysis, and offering a mechanism for functional prebiotic compartmentalization in the origins of life. Here, we evaluate the impact of lower, more prebiotically-relevant, polyion multivalency on the functional performance of coacervates as compartments. Positively and negatively charged homopeptides with 1–100 residues and adenosine mono-, di-, and triphosphate nucleotides are used as model polyions. Polycation/polyanion pairs are tested for coacervation, and resulting membraneless compartments are analyzed for salt resistance, ability to provide a distinct internal microenvironment (apparent local pH, RNA partitioning), and effect on RNA structure formation. We find that coacervates formed by phase separation of the shorter polyions more effectively generated distinct pH microenvironments, accumulated RNA, and preserved duplexes than those formed by longer polyions. Hence, coacervates formed by reduced multivalency polyions are not only viable as functional compartments for prebiotic chemistries, they can outperform higher molecular weight analogues. Short cationic peptides and nucleotides can form complex coacervates, but the influence of reduced multivalency on coacervate functionality was not investigated. Here, the authors report that coacervates formed from short polyions generate distinct pH microenvironments, accumulate RNA and preserve nucleic acid duplexes more efficiently than their longer counterparts.
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Mason AF, Altenburg WJ, Song S, van Stevendaal M, van Hest JCM. Terpolymer-stabilized complex coacervates: A robust and versatile synthetic cell platform. Methods Enzymol 2020; 646:51-82. [PMID: 33453933 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2020.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The utilization of liquid-liquid phase separated systems has seen increased attention as synthetic cell platforms due to their innate ability to sequester interesting, functional, and biologically relevant materials. However, their applications are limited by the temporal stability of such condensed phases. While there are a number of strategies toward droplet stabilization, in our group we have developed a polymer-based approach to stabilize complex coacervate microdroplets. These protocells are remarkably robust and have been utilized to support a number of new protocellular applications. Here, we describe in detail the methodologies we have developed for the synthesis of the starting components, their formation into stable, cargo-loaded protocells, and how these protocells are treated post-formation to purify and analyze the resultant functional self-assembled systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander F Mason
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Wiggert J Altenburg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Shidong Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Marleen van Stevendaal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jan C M van Hest
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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Magdalena Estirado E, Mason AF, Alemán García MÁ, van Hest JCM, Brunsveld L. Supramolecular Nanoscaffolds within Cytomimetic Protocells as Signal Localization Hubs. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:9106-9111. [PMID: 32356660 PMCID: PMC7243252 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c01732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
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The programmed construction of functional
synthetic cells requires
spatial control over arrays of biomolecules within the cytomimetic
environment. The mimicry of the natural hierarchical assembly of biomolecules
remains challenging due to the lack of an appropriate molecular toolbox.
Herein, we report the implementation of DNA-decorated supramolecular
assemblies as dynamic and responsive nanoscaffolds for the localization
of arrays of DNA signal cargo within hierarchically assembled complex
coacervate protocells. Protocells stabilized with a semipermeable
membrane allow trafficking of single-stranded DNA between neighboring
protocells. DNA duplex operations demonstrate the responsiveness of
the nanoscaffolds to different input DNA strands via the reversible
release of DNA cargo. Moreover, a second population of coacervate
protocells with nanoscaffolds featuring a higher affinity for the
DNA cargo enabled chemically programmed communication between both
protocell populations. This combination of supramolecular structure
and function paves the way for the next generation of protocells imbued
with programmable, lifelike behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Magdalena Estirado
- Laboratories of Chemical Biology and Bio-Organic Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander F Mason
- Laboratories of Chemical Biology and Bio-Organic Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Miguel Ángel Alemán García
- Laboratories of Chemical Biology and Bio-Organic Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jan C M van Hest
- Laboratories of Chemical Biology and Bio-Organic Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Luc Brunsveld
- Laboratories of Chemical Biology and Bio-Organic Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Lin Y, Jing H, Liu Z, Chen J, Liang D. Dynamic Behavior of Complex Coacervates with Internal Lipid Vesicles under Nonequilibrium Conditions. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:1709-1717. [PMID: 32004005 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b03561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
During the evolution of life on earth, the emergence of lipid membrane-bounded compartments is one of the most enigmatic events. Endosymbiosis has been hypothesized as one of the solutions. In this work, using a coacervate droplet formed by single-stranded oligonucleotides (ss-oligo) and poly(l-lysine) (PLL) as the protocell model, we monitored the uptake of liposomes of different types and studied the dynamic behavior of the resulting composite droplet under the electric field. The coacervate droplet exhibits affinity for the liposomes of varying charges. However, the permeation of liposome is also controlled by electrostatic interactions. Dominated by electrostatic attraction, the positively charged liposome is retained inside the droplet as growing fibrous structures, while the negatively charged liposome is mainly coated on the droplet surface. Permeation and even distribution occur when the liposome and the droplet carry the same charges, or at least one of them is neutral. As an electric field is applied to trigger repetitive cycles of vacuolization in the ss-oligo/PLL droplet, the fibrous structure formed by the positively charged liposome is basically intact, while a new phase is generated together with uneven mass transport as the negatively charged liposome is internalized. Interestingly, the release of daughter droplets with similar components occurs on the droplet containing neutral liposomes. Our work not only provides a step toward creating protocells with hierarchical structures and biofunctions using a biogenetic material via simple mixing but also sheds light on the possible origin of the lipid structure inside a living organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya'nan Lin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Hairong Jing
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Zhijun Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Jiaxin Chen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Dehai Liang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
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Multifaceted cell mimicry in coacervate-based synthetic cells. Emerg Top Life Sci 2019; 3:567-571. [DOI: 10.1042/etls20190094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cells, the discrete living systems that comprise all life on Earth, are a boundless source of inspiration and motivation for many researchers in the natural sciences. In the field of bottom-up synthetic cells, researchers seek to create multifaceted, self-assembled, chemical systems that mimic the properties and behaviours of natural life. In this perspective, we will describe the relatively recent application of complex coacervates to synthetic cells, and how they have been used to model an expanding range of biologically relevant phenomena. Furthermore, we will explore the unique advantages and disadvantages of coacervate-based synthetic cells, and their potential impact on the field in the years to come.
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