1
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Søgaard AB, Løvschall KB, Montasell MC, Cramer CB, Marcet PM, Pedersen AB, Jakobsen JH, Zelikin AN. Artificial Receptor in Synthetic Cells Performs Transmembrane Activation of Proteolysis. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024:e2400053. [PMID: 38767247 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202400053] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The design of artificial, synthetic cells is a fundamentally important and fast-developing field of science. Of the diverse attributes of cellular life, artificial transmembrane signaling across the biomolecular barriers remains a high challenge with only a few documented successes. Herein, the study achieves signaling across lipid bilayers and connects an exofacial enzymatic receptor activation to an intracellular biochemical catalytic response using an artificial receptor. The mechanism of signal transduction for the artificial receptor relies on the triggered decomposition of a self-immolative linker. Receptor activation ensues its head-to-tail decomposition and the release of a secondary messenger molecule into the internal volume of the synthetic cell. Transmembrane signaling is demonstrated in synthetic cells based on liposomes and mammalian cell-sized giant unilamellar vesicles and illustrates receptor performance in cell mimics with a diverse size and composition of the lipid bilayer. In giant unilamellar vesicles, transmembrane signaling connects exofacial receptor activation with intracellular activation of proteolysis. Taken together, the results of this study take a step toward engineering receptor-mediated, responsive behavior in synthetic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alexander N Zelikin
- iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
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2
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Chao X, Johnson TG, Temian MC, Docker A, Wallabregue ALD, Scott A, Conway SJ, Langton MJ. Coupling Photoresponsive Transmembrane Ion Transport with Transition Metal Catalysis. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:4351-4356. [PMID: 38334376 PMCID: PMC10885138 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c13801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Artificial ion transporters have been explored both as tools for studying fundamental ion transport processes and as potential therapeutics for cancer and channelopathies. Here we demonstrate that synthetic transporters may also be used to regulate the transport of catalytic metal ions across lipid membranes and thus control chemical reactivity inside lipid-bound compartments. We show that acyclic lipophilic pyridyltriazoles enable Pd(II) cations to be transported from the external aqueous phase across the lipid bilayer and into the interior of large unilamellar vesicles. In situ reduction generates Pd(0) species, which catalyze the generation of a fluorescent product. Photocaging the Pd(II) transporter allows for photoactivation of the transport process and hence photocontrol over the internal catalysis process. This work demonstrates that artificial transporters enable control over catalysis inside artificial cell-like systems, which could form the basis of biocompatible nanoreactors for applications such as drug synthesis and delivery or to mediate phototargeted catalyst delivery into cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Chao
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Toby G. Johnson
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Maria-Carmen Temian
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Andrew Docker
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | | | - Aaron Scott
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Stuart J. Conway
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of California Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, P.O. Box 951569, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - Matthew J. Langton
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
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3
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Pang S, Liu J, Li T, Ye K, Yan Z, Zhao L, Bao C. Folding and Unfolding of a Fully Synthetic Transmembrane Receptor for ON/OFF Signal Transduction. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:20761-20766. [PMID: 37699413 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Signal transduction processes in living organisms are mainly transmitted through conformational changes in transmembrane protein receptors. So far, the development of signal transduction models induced by artificial simulation of conformational changes remains limited. We herein report a new artificial receptor that achieves controllable "ON/OFF" signal transduction through conformational changes between the folding and unfolding of a transmembrane foldamer moiety. The receptor contains three functional modules: a lipid-anchored cholic acid headgroup, a foldamer transmembrane moiety, and a precatalyst tailgroup. After inserting in the lipid membrane, the addition of Zn2+ induces unfolding of the foldamer, which changes the molecular conformation and activates the tailgroup to enter the cavity to perform its catalytic task, resulting in signal transduction in an "ON" state. By further adding a competitive ligand to bind Zn2+, the transduction can be turned "OFF". External signals can be used to reversibly switch intravesicular catalysis on and off, which provides a new model for constructing artificial signal transduction systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Pang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jiawei Liu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Tianlong Li
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Kai Ye
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zexin Yan
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Li Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Chunyan Bao
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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4
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Gartland SA, Johnson TG, Walkley E, Langton MJ. Inter-Vesicle Signal Transduction Using a Photo-Responsive Zinc Ionophore. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202309080. [PMID: 37497854 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202309080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of chemical information between cells and across lipid bilayer membranes is of profound significance in many biological processes. The design of synthetic signalling systems is a critical step towards preparing artificial cells with collective behaviour. Here, we report the first example of a synthetic inter-vesicle signalling system, in which diffusible chemical signals trigger transmembrane ion transport in a manner reminiscent of signalling pathways in biology. The system is derived from novel ortho-nitrobenzyl and BODIPY photo-caged ZnII transporters, in which cation transport is triggered by photo-decaging with UV or red light, respectively. This decaging reaction can be used to trigger the release of the cationophores from a small population of sender vesicles. This in turn triggers the transport of ions across the membrane of a larger population of receiver vesicles, but not across the sender vesicle membrane, leading to overall inter-vesicle signal transduction and amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun A Gartland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Toby G Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Euan Walkley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Matthew J Langton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
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5
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Hou J, Guo J, Yan T, Liu S, Zang M, Wang L, Xu J, Luo Q, Wang T, Liu J. Light-controlled artificial transmembrane signal transduction for 'ON/OFF'-switchable transphosphorylation of an RNA model substrate. Chem Sci 2023; 14:6039-6044. [PMID: 37293632 PMCID: PMC10246681 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc06701c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Inspired by nature, it is of significant importance to design and construct biomimetic signaling systems to mimic natural signal transduction. Herein, we report an azobenzene/α-cyclodextrin (α-CD)-based signal transduction system with three functional modules: a light-responsive headgroup, lipid-anchored group, pro-catalyst tailgroup. The transducer can be inserted into the vesicular membrane to trigger the transmembrane translocation of molecules under the activation of light, forming a ribonuclease-like effector site and leading to the transphosphorylation of the RNA model substrate inside the vesicles. Moreover, the transphosphorylation process can be reversibly turned 'ON/OFF' over multiple cycles by the activation and deactivation of the pro-catalyst. This artificial photo-controlled signal transduction successfully constructs a signal responsive catalysis system across the membrane to utilize light to reversibly control the internal transphosphorylation process of an RNA model substrate, which might provide a new strategy for future design to utilize exogenous signals for implementing endogenous enzyme manipulation and gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxing Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
| | - Jiale Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
| | - Tengfei Yan
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
| | - Shengda Liu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
| | - Mingsong Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
| | - Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
| | - Jiayun Xu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
| | - Quan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University Changchun 130012 China
| | - Tingting Wang
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
| | - Junqiu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
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6
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Søgaard AB, Pedersen AB, Løvschall KB, Monge P, Jakobsen JH, Džabbarova L, Nielsen LF, Stevanovic S, Walther R, Zelikin AN. Transmembrane signaling by a synthetic receptor in artificial cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1646. [PMID: 36964156 PMCID: PMC10039019 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37393-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Signal transduction across biological membranes is among the most important evolutionary achievements. Herein, for the design of artificial cells, we engineer fully synthetic receptors with the capacity of transmembrane signaling, using tools of chemistry. Our receptors exhibit similarity with their natural counterparts in having an exofacial ligand for signal capture, being membrane anchored, and featuring a releasable messenger molecule that performs enzyme activation as a downstream signaling event. The main difference from natural receptors is the mechanism of signal transduction, which is achieved using a self-immolative linker. The receptor scaffold is modular and can readily be re-designed to respond to diverse activation signals including biological or chemical stimuli. We demonstrate an artificial signaling cascade that achieves transmembrane enzyme activation, a hallmark of natural signaling receptors. Results of this work are relevant for engineering responsive artificial cells and interfacing them and/or biological counterparts in co-cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ane Bretschneider Søgaard
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | | | - Pere Monge
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Raoul Walther
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Alexander N Zelikin
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
- iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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7
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Li H, Yan Y, Chen J, Shi K, Song C, Ji Y, Jia L, Li J, Qiao Y, Lin Y. Artificial receptor-mediated phototransduction toward protocellular subcompartmentalization and signaling-encoded logic gates. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade5853. [PMID: 36857444 PMCID: PMC9977178 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade5853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Engineering artificial cellular systems capable of perceiving and transmitting external signals across membranes to activate downstream targets and coordinate protocellular responses is key to build cell-cell communications and protolife. Here, we report a synthetic photoreceptor-mediated signaling pathway with the integration of light harvesting, photo-to-chemical energy conversion, signal transmission, and amplification in synthetic cells, which ultimately resulted in protocell subcompartmentalization. Key to our design is a ruthenium-bipyridine complex that acts as a membrane-anchored photoreceptor to convert visible light into chemical information and transduce signals across the lipid membrane via flip-flop motion. By coupling receptor-mediated phototransduction with biological recognition and enzymatic cascade reactions, we further develop protocell signaling-encoded Boolean logic gates. Our results illustrate a minimal cell model to mimic the photoreceptor cells that can transduce the energy of light into intracellular responses and pave the way to modular control over the flow of information for complex metabolic and signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yue Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ke Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Chuwen Song
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - 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
| | - Liyan Jia
- 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
| | - Jianming Li
- Research Center of New Energy, Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development (RIPED), PetroChina, Beijing 100083, 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
| | - Yiyang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
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8
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Hou J, Jiang X, Yang F, Wang L, Yan T, Liu S, Xu J, Hou C, Luo Q, Liu J. Supramolecularly regulated artificial transmembrane signal transduction for 'ON/OFF'-switchable enzyme catalysis. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:5725-5728. [PMID: 35441622 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc01421a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
An artificial signal transduction model with a supramolecular recognition headgroup, a membrane anchoring group, and a pro-enzyme catalysis endgroup was constructed. The transmembrane translocation of the transducer can be reversibly regulated by competitive host-guest complexations as an input signal to control an enzyme reaction inside the lipid vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxing Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Xiaojia Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Feihu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Tengfei Yan
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Shengda Liu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Jiayun Xu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Chunxi Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Quan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China. .,Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.,Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma, Ministry of Education, College of Emergency and Trauma, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Junqiu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China. .,College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
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9
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Yang H, Du S, Ye Z, Wang X, Yan Z, Lian C, Bao C, Zhu L. A system for artificial light signal transduction via molecular translocation in a lipid membrane. Chem Sci 2022; 13:2487-2494. [PMID: 35310493 PMCID: PMC8864706 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc06671d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Light signal transduction pathways are central components of the mechanisms that regulate plant development, in which photoreceptors receive light and participate in light signal transduction. Chemical systems can be designed...
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiting Yang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Shengjie Du
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Zhicheng Ye
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Xuebin Wang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Zexin Yan
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Cheng Lian
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Chunyan Bao
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Linyong Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
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10
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Bravin C, Duindam N, Hunter CA. Artificial transmembrane signal transduction mediated by dynamic covalent chemistry. Chem Sci 2021; 12:14059-14064. [PMID: 34760189 PMCID: PMC8565364 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc04741h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Reversible formation of covalent adducts between a thiol and a membrane-anchored Michael acceptor has been used to control the activation of a caged enzyme encapsulated inside vesicles. A peptide substrate and papain, caged as the mixed disulfide with methane thiol, were encapsulated inside vesicles, which contained Michael acceptors embedded in the lipid bilayer. In the absence of the Michael acceptor, addition of thiols to the external aqueous solution did not activate the enzyme to any significant extent. In the presence of the Michael acceptor, addition of benzyl thiol led to uncaging of the enzyme and hydrolysis of the peptide substrate to generate a fluorescence output signal. A charged thiol used as the input signal did not activate the enzyme. A Michael acceptor with a polar head group that cannot cross the lipid bilayer was just as effective at delivering benzyl thiol to the inner compartment of the vesicles as a non-polar Michael acceptor that can diffuse across the bilayer. The concentration dependence of the output signal suggests that the mechanism of signal transduction is based on increasing the local concentration of thiol present in the vesicles by the formation of Michael adducts. An interesting feature of this system is that enzyme activation is transient, which means that sequential addition of aliquots of thiol can be used to repeatedly generate an output signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Bravin
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Nol Duindam
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Christopher A Hunter
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
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11
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Liu G, Huang S, Liu X, Chen W, Ma X, Cao S, Wang L, Chen L, Yang H. DNA-Based Artificial Signaling System Mimicking the Dimerization of Receptors for Signal Transduction and Amplification. Anal Chem 2021; 93:13807-13814. [PMID: 34613712 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c02405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transmembrane signal transduction is of profound significance in many biological processes. The dimerization of cell-surface receptors is one prominent mechanism by which signals are transmitted across the membrane and trigger intracellular cascade amplification reactions. Recreating such processes in artificial systems has potential applications in sensing, drug delivery, bioengineering, and providing a new route for a deep understanding of fundamental biological processes. However, it remains a challenge to design artificial signal transduction systems working by the receptor dimerization mechanism in a predictable and smart manner. Here, benefitting from DNA with features of programmability, controllability, and flexible design, we use DNA as a building material to construct an artificial system mimicking dimerization of receptors for signal transduction and cascade amplification. DNA-based membrane-spanning receptor analogues are designed to recognize external signals, which drives two receptors into close spatial proximity to activate DNAzymes inside the cell-mimicking system. The activation of the DNAzyme initiates the catalyzed cleavage of encapsulated substrates and leads to the release of fluorescent second messengers for signal amplification. Such an artificial signal transduction system extends the range of biomimetic DNA-based signaling systems, providing a new avenue to study natural cell signaling processes and artificially regulate biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Shan Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Xiaochen Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Wanzhen Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Xin Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Shuang Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Liping Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Lanlan Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Huanghao Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
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12
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Kocsis I, Ding Y, Williams NH, Hunter CA. Transmembrane signal transduction by cofactor transport. Chem Sci 2021; 12:12377-12382. [PMID: 34603667 PMCID: PMC8480319 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03910e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Information processing and cell signalling in biological systems relies on passing chemical signals across lipid bilayer membranes, but examples of synthetic systems that can achieve this process are rare. A synthetic transducer has been developed that triggers catalytic hydrolysis of an ester substrate inside lipid vesicles in response to addition of metal ions to the external vesicle solution. The output signal generated in the internal compartment of the vesicles is produced by binding of a metal ion cofactor to a head group on the transducer to form a catalytically competent complex. The mechanism of signal transduction is based on transport of the metal ion cofactor across the bilayer by the transducer, and the system can be reversibly switched between on and off states by adding cadmium(ii) and ethylene diamine tetracarboxylic acid input signals respectively. The transducer is also equipped with a hydrazide moiety, which allows modulation of activity through covalent conjugation with aldehydes. Conjugation with a sugar derivative abolished activity, because the resulting hydrazone is too polar to cross the bilayer, whereas conjugation with a pyridine derivative increased activity. Coupling transport with catalysis provides a straightforward mechanism for generating complex systems using simple components. Synthetic transducers transport externally added metal ion cofactors across the lipid bilayer membrane of vesicles to trigger catalysis of ester hydrolysis in the inner compartment. Signal transduction activity is modulated by hydrazone formation.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Istvan Kocsis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Yudi Ding
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | | | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
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13
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Bickerton LE, Johnson TG, Kerckhoffs A, Langton MJ. Supramolecular chemistry in lipid bilayer membranes. Chem Sci 2021; 12:11252-11274. [PMID: 34567493 PMCID: PMC8409493 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03545b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid bilayer membranes form compartments requisite for life. Interfacing supramolecular systems, including receptors, catalysts, signal transducers and ion transporters, enables the function of the membrane to be controlled in artificial and living cellular compartments. In this perspective, we take stock of the current state of the art of this rapidly expanding field, and discuss prospects for the future in both fundamental science and applications in biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Bickerton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Toby G Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Aidan Kerckhoffs
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Matthew J Langton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
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14
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Trevisan L, Kocsis I, Hunter CA. Redox switching of an artificial transmembrane signal transduction system. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:2196-2198. [PMID: 33616133 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc08322d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of chemical signals across lipid bilayer membranes can be achieved using membrane-anchored molecules, where molecular motion across the bilayer is controlled by switching the polarity of two different head groups. An external redox signal delivered by ascorbic acid was used to trigger membrane translocation in a synthetic transduction system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Trevisan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, , Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Istvan Kocsis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, , Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, , Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
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15
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Chen H, Zhou L, Li C, He X, Huang J, Yang X, Shi H, Wang K, Liu J. Controlled dimerization of artificial membrane receptors for transmembrane signal transduction. Chem Sci 2021; 12:8224-8230. [PMID: 34194713 PMCID: PMC8208304 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc00718a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In biology, membrane-spanning proteins are responsible for the transmission of chemical signals across membranes, including the signal recognition-mediated conformational change of transmembrane receptors at the cell surface, and a trigger of an intracellular phosphorylation cascade. The ability to reproduce such biological processes in artificial systems has potential applications in smart sensing, drug delivery, and synthetic biology. Here, an artificial transmembrane receptors signaling system was designed and constructed based on modular DNA scaffolds. The artificial transmembrane receptors in this system are composed of three functional modules: signal recognition, lipophilic transmembrane linker, and signal output modules. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) served as an external signal input to trigger the dimerization of two artificial receptors on membranes through a proximity effect. This effect induced the formation of a G-quadruplex, which served as a peroxidase-like enzyme to facilitate a signal output measured by either fluorescence or absorbance in the lipid bilayer vesicles. The broader utility of this modular method was further demonstrated using a lysozyme-binding aptamer instead of an ATP-binding aptamer. Therefore, this work provides a modular and generalizable method for the design of artificial transmembrane receptors. The flexibility of this synthetic methodology will allow researchers to incorporate different functional modules while retaining the same molecular framework for signal transduction. An artificial transmbrane signal transducer was developed through the chemical input-mediated dimerization of artificial DNA transmembrane receptors and the subsequent activation of a cascade of events inside the vesicles.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Chunying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao He
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Jin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, 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 Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
| | - Hui Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, 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 Biology, 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 Biology, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha 410082 P. R. China
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16
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Gonzales DT, Zechner C, Tang TYD. Building synthetic multicellular systems using bottom–up approaches. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2020.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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17
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Engineering of stimuli-responsive lipid-bilayer membranes using supramolecular systems. Nat Rev Chem 2020; 5:46-61. [PMID: 37118103 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-020-00233-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The membrane proteins found in nature control many important cellular functions, including signal transduction and transmembrane ion transport, and these, in turn, are regulated by external stimuli, such as small molecules, membrane potential and light. Membrane proteins also find technological applications in fields ranging from optogenetics to synthetic biology. Synthetic supramolecular analogues have emerged as a complementary method to engineer functional membranes. This Review describes stimuli-responsive supramolecular systems developed for the control of ion transport, signal transduction and catalysis in lipid-bilayer-membrane systems. Recent advances towards achieving spatio-temporal control over activity in artificial and living cells are highlighted. Current challenges, the scope, limitations and future potential to exploit supramolecular systems for engineering stimuli-responsive lipid-bilayer membranes are discussed.
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18
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Lioret V, Bellaye PS, Arnould C, Collin B, Decréau RA. Dual Cherenkov Radiation-Induced Near-Infrared Luminescence Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy toward Tumor Resection. J Med Chem 2020; 63:9446-9456. [PMID: 32706253 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cherenkov radiation (CR), the blue light seen in nuclear reactors, is emitted by some radiopharmaceuticals. This study showed that (1) a portion of CR could be transferred in the region of the optical spectrum, where biological tissues are most transparent: as a result, upon radiance amplification in the near-infrared window, the detection of light could occur twice deeper in tissues than during classical Cherenkov luminescence imaging and (2) Cherenkov-photodynamic therapy (CR-PDT) on cells could be achieved under conditions mimicking unlimited depth using the CR-embarked light source, which is unlike standard PDT, where light penetration depth is limited in biological tissues. Both results are of utmost importance for simultaneous applications in tumor resection and post-resection treatment of remaining unresected margins, thanks to a molecular construct designed to raise its light collection efficiency (i.e., CR energy transfer) by conjugation with multiple CR-absorbing (water-soluble) antenna followed by intramolecular-FRET/TBET energy transfers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Lioret
- ICMUB Institute (Chemistry Department) Sciences Mirande, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, 9 Avenue Alain Savary, Dijon 21078, France
| | | | | | - Bertrand Collin
- Centre George François Leclerc, 1 rue du Professeur Marion, Dijon 21079, France
| | - Richard A Decréau
- ICMUB Institute (Chemistry Department) Sciences Mirande, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, 9 Avenue Alain Savary, Dijon 21078, France
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19
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Bravin C, Hunter CA. Template effects of vesicles in dynamic covalent chemistry. Chem Sci 2020; 11:9122-9125. [PMID: 34123161 PMCID: PMC8163447 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc03185b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Vesicle lipid bilayers have been employed as templates to modulate the product distribution in a dynamic covalent library of Michael adducts formed by mixing a Michael acceptor with thiols. In methanol solution, all possible Michael adducts were obtained in similar amounts. Addition of vesicles to the dynamic covalent library led to the formation of a single major product. The equilibrium constants for formation of the Michael adducts are similar for all of the thiols used in this experiment, and the effect of the vesicles on the composition of the library is attributed to the differential partitioning of the library members between the lipid bilayer and the aqueous solution. The results provide a quantitative approach for exploiting dynamic covalent chemistry within lipid bilayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Bravin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
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20
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21
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Abstract
Communication between and inside cells as well as their response to external stimuli relies on elaborated systems of signal transduction. They all require a directional transmission across membranes, often realized by primary messenger docking onto external receptor units and subsequent internalization of the signal in form of a released second messenger. This in turn starts a cascade of events which ultimately control all functions of the living cell. Although signal transduction is a fundamental biological process realized by supramolecular recognition and multiplication events with small molecules, chemists have just begun to invent artificial models which allow to study the underlying rules, and one day perhaps to rescue damaged transduction systems in nature. This review summarizes the exciting pioneering efforts of chemists to create simple models for the basic principles of signal transduction across a membrane. It starts with first attempts to establish molecular recognition events on liposomes with embedded receptor amphiphiles and moves on to simple transmembrane signaling across lipid bilayers. More elaborated systems step by step incorporate more elements of cell signaling, such as primary and secondary messenger or a useful cellular response such as cargo release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Bekus
- University of Duisburg-Essen Faculty of Chemistry Universitätsstr. 7 45117 Essen Germany
| | - Thomas Schrader
- University of Duisburg-Essen Faculty of Chemistry Universitätsstr. 7 45117 Essen Germany
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22
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Buddingh' BC, Elzinga J, van Hest JCM. Intercellular communication between artificial cells by allosteric amplification of a molecular signal. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1652. [PMID: 32246068 PMCID: PMC7125153 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15482-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multicellular organisms rely on intercellular communication to coordinate the behaviour of individual cells, which enables their differentiation and hierarchical organization. Various cell mimics have been developed to establish fundamental engineering principles for the construction of artificial cells displaying cell-like organization, behaviour and complexity. However, collective phenomena, although of great importance for a better understanding of life-like behaviour, are underexplored. Here, we construct collectives of giant vesicles that can communicate with each other through diffusing chemical signals that are recognized and processed by synthetic enzymatic cascades. Similar to biological cells, the Receiver vesicles can transduce a weak signal originating from Sender vesicles into a strong response by virtue of a signal amplification step, which facilitates the propagation of signals over long distances within the artificial cell consortia. This design advances the development of interconnected artificial cells that can exchange metabolic and positional information to coordinate their higher-order organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastiaan C Buddingh'
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Janneke Elzinga
- Radboud University, PO Box 9102, 6500 HC, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan C M van Hest
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
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23
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Abstract
The combination of supramolecular functional systems with biomolecular chemistry has been a fruitful exercise for decades, leading to a greater understanding of biomolecules and to a great variety of applications, for example, in drug delivery and sensing. Within these developments, the phospholipid bilayer membrane, surrounding live cells, with all its functions has also intrigued supramolecular chemists. Herein, recent efforts from the supramolecular chemistry community to mimic natural functions of lipid membranes, such as sensing, molecular recognition, membrane fusion, signal transduction, and gated transport, are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Barba‐Bon
- Department of Life Sciences and ChemistryJacobs University BremenCampus Ring 128759BremenGermany
| | - Mohamed Nilam
- Department of Life Sciences and ChemistryJacobs University BremenCampus Ring 128759BremenGermany
| | - Andreas Hennig
- Department of Life Sciences and ChemistryJacobs University BremenCampus Ring 128759BremenGermany
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24
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Ding Y, Williams NH, Hunter CA. A Synthetic Vesicle-to-Vesicle Communication System. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:17847-17853. [PMID: 31642667 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b09102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A molecular signal displayed on the external surface of one population of vesicles was used to trigger a catalytic process on the inside of a second population of vesicles. The key recognition event is the transfer of a protein (NeutrAvidin) bound to vesicles displaying desthiobiotin to vesicles displaying biotin. The desthiobiotin-protein complex was used to anchor a synthetic transducer in the outer leaflet of the vesicles, and when the protein was displaced, the transducer translocated across the bilayer to expose a catalytic headgroup to the internal vesicle solution. As a result, an ester substrate encapsulated on the inside of this second population of vesicles was hydrolyzed to give a fluorescence output signal. The protein has four binding sites, which leads to multivalent interactions with membrane-anchored ligands and very high binding affinities. Thus, biotin, which has a dissociation constant 3 orders of magnitude higher than desthiobiotin, did not displace the protein from the membrane-anchored transducer, and membrane-anchored biotin displayed on the surface of a second population of vesicles was required to generate an effective input signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudi Ding
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas H Williams
- Department of Chemistry , University of Sheffield , Sheffield S3 7HF , United Kingdom
| | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
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25
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Vanuytsel S, Carniello J, Wallace MI. Artificial Signal Transduction across Membranes. Chembiochem 2019; 20:2569-2580. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Vanuytsel
- Department of ChemistryKing's College London Britannia House 7 Trinity Street London SE1 1DB UK
- London Centre for Nanotechnology Strand London WC2R 2LS UK
| | - Joanne Carniello
- Department of ChemistryKing's College London Britannia House 7 Trinity Street London SE1 1DB UK
- London Centre for Nanotechnology Strand London WC2R 2LS UK
| | - Mark Ian Wallace
- Department of ChemistryKing's College London Britannia House 7 Trinity Street London SE1 1DB UK
- London Centre for Nanotechnology Strand London WC2R 2LS UK
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26
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Osypenko A, Dhers S, Lehn JM. Pattern Generation and Information Transfer through a Liquid/Liquid Interface in 3D Constitutional Dynamic Networks of Imine Ligands in Response to Metal Cation Effectors. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:12724-12737. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b05438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Artem Osypenko
- Laboratoire de Chimie Supramoléculaire, Institut de Science et d’Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS), Université de Strasbourg, 8 allée Gaspard Monge, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Sébastien Dhers
- Laboratoire de Chimie Supramoléculaire, Institut de Science et d’Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS), Université de Strasbourg, 8 allée Gaspard Monge, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Marie Lehn
- Laboratoire de Chimie Supramoléculaire, Institut de Science et d’Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS), Université de Strasbourg, 8 allée Gaspard Monge, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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27
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Lizio MG, Andrushchenko V, Pike SJ, Peters AD, Whitehead GFS, Vitórica-Yrezábal IJ, Mutter ST, Clayden J, Bouř P, Blanch EW, Webb SJ. Optically Active Vibrational Spectroscopy of α-Aminoisobutyric Acid Foldamers in Organic Solvents and Phospholipid Bilayers. Chemistry 2018; 24:9399-9408. [PMID: 29745985 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201801121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Helical α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) foldamers show great potential as devices for the communication of conformational information across phospholipid bilayers, but determining their conformation in bilayers remains a challenge. In the present study, Raman, Raman optical activity (ROA), infrared (IR) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopies have been used to analyze the conformational preferences of Aib foldamers in solution and when interacting with bilayers. A 310 -helix marker band at 1665-1668 cm-1 in Raman spectra was used to show that net helical content increased strongly with oligomer length. ROA and VCD spectra of chiral Aib foldamers provided the chiroptical signature for both left- and right-handed 310 -helices in organic solvents, with VCD establishing that foldamer screw-sense was preserved when the foldamers became embedded within bilayers. However, the population distribution between different secondary structures was perturbed by the chiral phospholipid. These studies indicate that ROA and VCD spectroscopies are valuable tools for the study of biomimetic structures, such as artificial signal transduction molecules, in phospholipid bilayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giovanna Lizio
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess St, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.,School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Valery Andrushchenko
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Sarah J Pike
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess St, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.,School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.,Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Anna D Peters
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess St, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.,School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - George F S Whitehead
- School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | | | - Shaun T Mutter
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess St, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Jonathan Clayden
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Petr Bouř
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ewan W Blanch
- School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
| | - Simon J Webb
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess St, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.,School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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28
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Adam C, Peters AD, Lizio MG, Whitehead GFS, Diemer V, Cooper JA, Cockroft SL, Clayden J, Webb SJ. The Role of Terminal Functionality in the Membrane and Antibacterial Activity of Peptaibol-Mimetic Aib Foldamers. Chemistry 2018; 24:2249-2256. [PMID: 29210477 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201705299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Peptaibols are peptide antibiotics that typically feature an N-terminal acetyl cap, a C-terminal aminoalcohol, and a high proportion of α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues. To establish how each feature might affect the membrane-activity of peptaibols, biomimetic Aib foldamers with different lengths and terminal groups were synthesised. Vesicle assays showed that long foldamers (eleven Aib residues) with hydrophobic termini had the highest ionophoric activity. C-terminal acids or primary amides inhibited activity, while replacement of an N-terminal acetyl with an azide group made little difference. Crystallography showed that N3 Aib11 CH2 OTIPS folded into a 310 helix 2.91 nm long, which is close to the bilayer hydrophobic width. Planar bilayer conductance assays showed discrete ion channels only for N-acetylated foldamers. However long foldamers with hydrophobic termini had the highest antibacterial activity, indicating that ionophoric activity in vesicles was a better indicator of antibacterial activity than the observation of discrete ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Adam
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Anna D Peters
- School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.,Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess St, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - M Giovanna Lizio
- School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.,Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess St, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - George F S Whitehead
- School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Vincent Diemer
- School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.,Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess St, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - James A Cooper
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Scott L Cockroft
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Jonathan Clayden
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Simon J Webb
- School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.,Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess St, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
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29
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Langton MJ, Scriven LM, Williams NH, Hunter CA. Triggered Release from Lipid Bilayer Vesicles by an Artificial Transmembrane Signal Transduction System. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:15768-15773. [PMID: 28876061 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b07747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The on-demand delivery of drug molecules from nanoscale carriers with spatiotemporal control is a key challenge in modern medicine. Here we show that lipid bilayer vesicles (liposomes) can be triggered to release an encapsulated molecular cargo in response to an external control signal by employing an artificial transmembrane signal transduction mechanism. A synthetic signal transducer embedded in the lipid bilayer membrane acts as a switchable catalyst, catalyzing the formation of surfactant molecules inside the vesicle in response to a change in external pH. The surfactant permeabilizes the lipid bilayer membrane to facilitate release of an encapsulated hydrophilic cargo. In the absence of the pH control signal, the catalyst is inactive, and the cargo remains encapsulated within the vesicle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Langton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Lorel M Scriven
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas H Williams
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield , Sheffield S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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