1
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Feng S, Xue C, Pan C, Tao S. Droplet drinking in constrictions. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:3412-3421. [PMID: 38904151 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00381k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Droplets generated through microfluidics serve as a common platform for assembling artificial cells, which are feasibly tailored using microfluidic methodology. The ability of natural cells to undergo shape changes, such as phagocytosis, is a typical characteristic that researchers aim to mimic in artificial cells. However, simulating the deformation behavior of natural cells within droplets is exceptionally challenging. Here, this study reports a pinocytosis-like phenomenon observed in droplets, termed "droplet drinking". When droplets traverse a capillary with constrictions, the shear force from the continuous-phase fluid induces relative motion within the droplets, creating concave regions at the rear. These regions facilitate engulfing of the continuous-phase fluid, resulting in the formation of multiple emulsions. This behavior is influenced by the capillary number, and the size of the ingested droplets is governed by the interfacial tension between the two phases. The production of multicore or multi-shell emulsions can be easily accomplished by making slight adjustments to the constrictions. Furthermore, this method demonstrates the integration of reactants into pre-existing droplets, facilitating biochemical reactions. This study presents a convenient approach for generating complex emulsions and an innovative strategy for studying deformation behavior in droplet-based artificial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Feng
- School of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontier Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian Key Laboratory of Intelligent Chemistry, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Chundong Xue
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, P.R. China
| | - Cunliang Pan
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis for Industrial Equipment, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, P.R. China
| | - Shengyang Tao
- School of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontier Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian Key Laboratory of Intelligent Chemistry, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
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2
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Xie J, Huck WTS, Bao M. Unveiling the Intricate Connection: Cell Volume as a Key Regulator of Mechanotransduction. Annu Rev Biophys 2024; 53:299-317. [PMID: 38424091 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-030822-035656] [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: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The volumes of living cells undergo dynamic changes to maintain the cells' structural and functional integrity in many physiological processes. Minor fluctuations in cell volume can serve as intrinsic signals that play a crucial role in cell fate determination during mechanotransduction. In this review, we discuss the variability of cell volume and its role in vivo, along with an overview of the mechanisms governing cell volume regulation. Additionally, we provide insights into the current approaches used to control cell volume in vitro. Furthermore, we summarize the biological implications of cell volume regulation and discuss recent advances in understanding the fundamental relationship between cell volume and mechanotransduction. Finally, we delve into the potential underlying mechanisms, including intracellular macromolecular crowding and cellular mechanics, that govern the global regulation of cell fate in response to changes in cell volume. By exploring the intricate interplay between cell volume and mechanotransduction, we underscore the importance of considering cell volume as a fundamental signaling cue to unravel the basic principles of mechanotransduction. Additionally, we propose future research directions that can extend our current understanding of cell volume in mechanotransduction. Overall, this review highlights the significance of considering cell volume as a fundamental signal in understanding the basic principles in mechanotransduction and points out the possibility of controlling cell volume to control cell fate, mitigate disease-related damage, and facilitate the healing of damaged tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xie
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wilhelm T S Huck
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Min Bao
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China;
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3
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Waeterschoot J, Gosselé W, Lemež Š, Casadevall I Solvas X. Artificial cells for in vivo biomedical applications through red blood cell biomimicry. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2504. [PMID: 38509073 PMCID: PMC10954685 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46732-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent research in artificial cell production holds promise for the development of delivery agents with therapeutic effects akin to real cells. To succeed in these applications, these systems need to survive the circulatory conditions. In this review we present strategies that, inspired by the endurance of red blood cells, have enhanced the viability of large, cell-like vehicles for in vivo therapeutic use, particularly focusing on giant unilamellar vesicles. Insights from red blood cells can guide modifications that could transform these platforms into advanced drug delivery vehicles, showcasing biomimicry's potential in shaping the future of therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorik Waeterschoot
- Department of Biosystems - MeBioS, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Willemien Gosselé
- Department of Biosystems - MeBioS, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Špela Lemež
- Department of Biosystems - MeBioS, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
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4
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Ushiyama R, Nanjo S, Tsugane M, Sato R, Matsuura T, Suzuki H. Identifying Conditions for Protein Synthesis Inside Giant Vesicles Using Microfluidics toward Standardized Artificial Cell Production. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:68-76. [PMID: 38032418 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00629] [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: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
To expand the range of practical applications of artificial cells, it is important to standardize the production process of giant (cell-sized) vesicles that encapsulate reconstituted biochemical reaction systems. For this purpose, a rapidly developing microfluidics-based giant vesicle generation system is a promising approach, similar to the droplet assay systems that are already widespread in the market. In this study, we examined the composition of the solutions used to generate vesicles encapsulating the in vitro transcription-translation (IVTT) system. We show that tuning of the lipid composition and adding poly(vinyl alcohol) to the outer solution improved the stability of the transition process into the lipid membrane so that protein synthesis proceeded in vesicles. The direct integration of α-hemolysin nanopores synthesized in situ was also demonstrated. These protein-synthesizing monodisperse giant vesicles can be prepared by using a simple microfluidic fabrication/operation with a commercial IVTT system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Ushiyama
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nanjo
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Mamiko Tsugane
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Reiko Sato
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Matsuura
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-i7E Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suzuki
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
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5
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Gao R, Yu X, Kumar BVVSP, Tian L. Hierarchical Structuration in Protocellular System. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300422. [PMID: 37438327 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300422] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Spatial control is one of the ubiquitous features in biological systems and the key to the functional complexity of living cells. The strategies to achieve such precise spatial control in protocellular systems are crucial to constructing complex artificial living systems with functional collective behavior. Herein, the authors review recent advances in the spatial control within a single protocell or between different protocells and discuss how such hierarchical structured protocellular system can be used to understand complex living systems or to advance the development of functional microreactors with the programmable release of various biomacromolecular payloads, or smart protocell-biological cell hybrid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Gao
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Xinran Yu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | | | - Liangfei Tian
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Department of Ultrasound, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Innovation Center for Smart Medical Technologies & Devices, Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
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6
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Chen C, Wu S, Wang Y, Cao J, Tian L. Reversible modulation of protocell volume via collective response of functional protein in its membrane. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 651:182-190. [PMID: 37542893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.07.184] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Volume change plays an important role in biological cells to regulate their internal microenvironment. To adapt to the rapid variation of the surface area during the volume change, the lipid membrane is dynamically modulated via membrane folding invagination, or spontaneous uptake or release of lipid molecules under osmotic pressure. Here, we demonstrate an alternative approach to design a functional protocellular system capable of dynamically adjusting its volume and intracellular microenvironment in response to the alteration of pH. By assembling and subsequently cross-linking pH-responsive caseinate at the water-oil interface, the caseinate-based protocell with more than ten thousand caseinate units in its membrane was established and showed a reversible volume and pore size change to pH variation due to the collective response of the caseinate in the membrane, which could be used to control the spatial distribution of proto-organelle by regulating of the viscosity inside the protocell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; Innovation Center for Smart Medical Technologies & Devices, Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Shuqi Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China.
| | - Jinxuan Cao
- School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Liangfei Tian
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; Innovation Center for Smart Medical Technologies & Devices, Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310053, China; Department of Ultrasound, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
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7
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Qi C, Ma X, Zhong J, Fang J, Huang Y, Deng X, Kong T, Liu Z. Facile and Programmable Capillary-Induced Assembly of Prototissues via Hanging Drop Arrays. ACS NANO 2023; 17:16787-16797. [PMID: 37639562 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c03516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
An important goal for bottom-up synthetic biology is to construct tissue-like structures from artificial cells. The key is the ability to control the assembly of the individual artificial cells. Unlike most methods resorting to external fields or sophisticated devices, inspired by the hanging drop method used for culturing spheroids of biological cells, we employ a capillary-driven approach to assemble giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs)-based protocells into colonized prototissue arrays by means of a coverslip with patterned wettability. By spatially confining and controllably merging a mixed population of lipid-coated double-emulsion droplets that hang on a water/oil interface, an array of synthetic tissue-like constructs can be obtained. Each prototissue module in the array comprises multiple tightly packed droplet compartments where interfacial lipid bilayers are self-assembled at the interfaces both between two neighboring droplets and between the droplet and the external aqueous environment. The number, shape, and composition of the interconnected droplet compartments can be precisely controlled. Each prototissue module functions as a processer, in which fast signal transports of molecules via cell-cell and cell-environment communications have been demonstrated by molecular diffusions and cascade enzyme reactions, exhibiting the ability to be used as biochemical sensing and microreactor arrays. Our work provides a simple yet scalable and programmable method to form arrays of prototissues for synthetic biology, tissue engineering, and high-throughput assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Qi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Optomechatronics Engineering, College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China
| | - Xudong Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Optomechatronics Engineering, College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China
| | - Junfeng Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Optomechatronics Engineering, College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China
| | - Jiangyu Fang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Optomechatronics Engineering, College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China
| | - Yuanding Huang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China
| | - Xiaokang Deng
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China
| | - Tiantian Kong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China
| | - Zhou Liu
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China
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8
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Schvartzman C, Zhao H, Ibarboure E, Ibrahimova V, Garanger E, Lecommandoux S. Control of Enzyme Reactivity in Response to Osmotic Pressure Modulation Mimicking Dynamic Assembly of Intracellular Organelles. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2301856. [PMID: 37149761 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202301856] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
In response to variations in osmotic stress, in particular to hypertonicity associated with biological dysregulations, cells have developed complex mechanisms to release their excess water, thus avoiding their bursting and death. When water is expelled, cells shrink and concentrate their internal bio(macro)molecular content, inducing the formation of membraneless organelles following a liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) mechanism. To mimic this intrinsic property of cells, functional thermo-responsive elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) biomacromolecular conjugates are herein encapsulated into self-assembled lipid vesicles using a microfluidic system, together with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to mimic cells' interior crowded microenvironment. By inducing a hypertonic shock onto the vesicles, expelled water induces a local increase in concentration and a concomitant decrease in the cloud point temperature (Tcp ) of ELP bioconjugates that phase separate and form coacervates mimicking cellular stress-induced membraneless organelle assemblies. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP), as a model enzyme, is bioconjugated to ELPs and is locally confined in coacervates as a response to osmotic stress. This consequently increases local HRP and substrate concentrations and accelerates the kinetics of the enzymatic reaction. These results illustrate a unique way to fine-tune enzymatic reactions dynamically as a response to a physiological change in isothermal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Schvartzman
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, Pessac, F-33600, France
| | - Hang Zhao
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, Pessac, F-33600, France
| | - Emmanuel Ibarboure
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, Pessac, F-33600, France
| | - Vusala Ibrahimova
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, Pessac, F-33600, France
| | - Elisabeth Garanger
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, Pessac, F-33600, France
| | - Sébastien Lecommandoux
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, Pessac, F-33600, France
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9
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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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10
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Gonzales DT, Suraritdechachai S, Tang TYD. Compartmentalized Cell-Free Expression Systems for Building Synthetic Cells. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 186:77-101. [PMID: 37306700 DOI: 10.1007/10_2023_221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
One of the grand challenges in bottom-up synthetic biology is the design and construction of synthetic cellular systems. One strategy toward this goal is the systematic reconstitution of biological processes using purified or non-living molecular components to recreate specific cellular functions such as metabolism, intercellular communication, signal transduction, and growth and division. Cell-free expression systems (CFES) are in vitro reconstitutions of the transcription and translation machinery found in cells and are a key technology for bottom-up synthetic biology. The open and simplified reaction environment of CFES has helped researchers discover fundamental concepts in the molecular biology of the cell. In recent decades, there has been a drive to encapsulate CFES reactions into cell-like compartments with the aim of building synthetic cells and multicellular systems. In this chapter, we discuss recent progress in compartmentalizing CFES to build simple and minimal models of biological processes that can help provide a better understanding of the process of self-assembly in molecularly complex systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Gonzales
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - T -Y Dora Tang
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- Physics of Life, Cluster of Excellence, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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11
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van Buren L, Koenderink GH, Martinez-Torres C. DisGUVery: A Versatile Open-Source Software for High-Throughput Image Analysis of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 12:120-135. [PMID: 36508359 PMCID: PMC9872171 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are cell-sized aqueous compartments enclosed by a phospholipid bilayer. Due to their cell-mimicking properties, GUVs have become a widespread experimental tool in synthetic biology to study membrane properties and cellular processes. In stark contrast to the experimental progress, quantitative analysis of GUV microscopy images has received much less attention. Currently, most analysis is performed either manually or with custom-made scripts, which makes analysis time-consuming and results difficult to compare across studies. To make quantitative GUV analysis accessible and fast, we present DisGUVery, an open-source, versatile software that encapsulates multiple algorithms for automated detection and analysis of GUVs in microscopy images. With a performance analysis, we demonstrate that DisGUVery's three vesicle detection modules successfully identify GUVs in images obtained with a wide range of imaging sources, in various typical GUV experiments. Multiple predefined analysis modules allow the user to extract properties such as membrane fluorescence, vesicle shape, and internal fluorescence from large populations. A new membrane segmentation algorithm facilitates spatial fluorescence analysis of nonspherical vesicles. Altogether, DisGUVery provides an accessible tool to enable high-throughput automated analysis of GUVs, and thereby to promote quantitative data analysis in synthetic cell research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennard van Buren
- Department
of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZDelft, The Netherlands
| | - Gijsje Hendrika Koenderink
- Department
of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZDelft, The Netherlands,
| | - Cristina Martinez-Torres
- Department
of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZDelft, The Netherlands,
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12
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Li DY, Zhou ZH, Yu YL, Deng NN. Microfluidic construction of cytoskeleton-like hydrogel matrix for stabilizing artificial cells. Chem Eng Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2022.118186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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13
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Herianto S, Chien PJ, Ho JAA, Tu HL. Liposome-based artificial cells: From gene expression to reconstitution of cellular functions and phenotypes. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2022; 142:213156. [PMID: 36302330 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Bottom-up approaches in creating artificial cells that can mimic natural cells have significant implications for both basic research and translational application. Among various artificial cell models, liposome is one of the most sophisticated systems. By encapsulating proteins and associated biomolecules, they can functionally reconstitute foundational features of biological cells, such as the ability to divide, communicate, and undergo shape deformation. Yet constructing liposome artificial cells from the genetic level, which is central to generate self-sustained systems remains highly challenging. Indeed, many studies have successfully established the expression of gene-coded proteins inside liposomes. Further, recent endeavors to build a direct integration of gene-expressed proteins for reconstituting molecular functions and phenotypes in liposomes have also significantly increased. Thus, this review presents the development of liposome-based artificial cells to demonstrate the process of gene-expressed proteins and their reconstitution to perform desired molecular and cell-like functions. The molecular and cellular phenotypes discussed here include the self-production of membrane phospholipids, division, shape deformation, self-DNA/RNA replication, fusion, and intercellular communication. Together, this review gives a comprehensive overview of gene-expressing liposomes that can stimulate further research of this technology and achieve artificial cells with superior properties in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Herianto
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Po-Jen Chien
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ja-An Annie Ho
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; BioAnalytical Chemistry and Nanobiomedicine Laboratory, Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Hsiung-Lin Tu
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
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14
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Guerzoni LPB, de Goes AVC, Kalacheva M, Haduła J, Mork M, De Laporte L, Boersma AJ. High Macromolecular Crowding in Liposomes from Microfluidics. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2201169. [PMID: 35904258 PMCID: PMC9507340 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The intracellular environment is crowded with macromolecules that influence biochemical equilibria and biomacromolecule diffusion. The incorporation of such crowding in synthetic cells would be needed to mimic the biochemistry of living cells. However, only a few methods provide crowded artificial cells, moreover providing cells with either heterogeneous size and composition or containing a significant oil fraction. Therefore, a method that generates monodisperse liposomes with minimal oil content and tunable macromolecular crowding using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidics is presented. Lipid stabilized water-in-oil-in-water emulsions that are stable for at least several months and with a high macromolecular crowder concentration that can be controlled with the external osmolality are formed. A crucial feature is that the oil phase can be removed using high flow conditions at any point after production, providing the highly crowded liposomes. Genetically encoded macromolecular crowding sensors show that the high level of macromolecular crowding in the emulsions is fully retained throughout the generation of minimal-oil lipid bilayers. This modular and robust platform will serve the study of biochemistry under physiologically relevant crowding conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis P. B. Guerzoni
- DWI‐Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstrasse 5052074AachenGermany
| | - André V. C. de Goes
- DWI‐Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstrasse 5052074AachenGermany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityWorringerweg 152074AachenGermany
| | - Milara Kalacheva
- DWI‐Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstrasse 5052074AachenGermany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityWorringerweg 152074AachenGermany
| | - Jakub Haduła
- DWI‐Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstrasse 5052074AachenGermany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityWorringerweg 152074AachenGermany
| | - Matthias Mork
- DWI‐Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstrasse 5052074AachenGermany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityWorringerweg 152074AachenGermany
| | - Laura De Laporte
- DWI‐Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstrasse 5052074AachenGermany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityWorringerweg 152074AachenGermany
- Department Advanced Materials for BiomedicineInstitute of Applied Medical EngineeringUniversity Hospital RWTH AachenForckenbeckstrasse 5552074AachenGermany
| | - Arnold J. Boersma
- DWI‐Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsForckenbeckstrasse 5052074AachenGermany
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15
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Abbas M, Law JO, Grellscheid SN, Huck WTS, Spruijt E. Peptide-Based Coacervate-Core Vesicles with Semipermeable Membranes. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2202913. [PMID: 35796384 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202202913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Coacervates droplets have long been considered as potential protocells to mimic living cells. However, these droplets lack a membrane and are prone to coalescence, limiting their ability to survive, interact, and organize into higher-order assemblies. This work shows that tyrosine-rich peptide conjugates can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation in a well-defined pH window and transform into stable membrane-enclosed protocells by enzymatic oxidation and cross-linking at the liquid-liquid interface. The oxidation of the tyrosine-rich peptides into dityrosine creates a semipermeable, flexible membrane around the coacervates with tunable thickness, which displays strong intrinsic fluorescence, and stabilizes the coacervate protocells against coalescence. The membranes have an effective molecular weight cut-off of 2.5 kDa, as determined from the partitioning of small dyes and labeled peptides, RNA, and polymers into the membrane-enclosed coacervate protocells. Flicker spectroscopy reveals a membrane bending rigidity of only 0.1kB T, which is substantially lower than phospholipid bilayers despite a larger membrane thickness. Finally, it is shown that enzymes can be stably encapsulated inside the protocells and be supplied with substrates from outside, which opens the way for these membrane-bound compartments to be used as molecularly crowded artificial cells capable of communication or as a vehicle for drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manzar Abbas
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Jack O Law
- Computational Biology Unit, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5020, Norway
| | - Sushma N Grellscheid
- Computational Biology Unit, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5020, Norway
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Wilhelm T S Huck
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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16
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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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17
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Shang L, Ye F, Li M, Zhao Y. Spatial confinement toward creating artificial living systems. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:4075-4093. [PMID: 35502858 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs01025e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Lifeforms are regulated by many physicochemical factors, and these factors could be controlled to play a role in the construction of artificial living systems. Among these factors, spatial confinement is an important one, which mediates biological behaviors at multiscale levels and participates in the biomanufacturing processes accordingly. This review describes how spatial confinement, as a fundamental biological phenomenon, provides cues for the construction of artificial living systems. Current knowledge about the role of spatial confinement in mediating individual cell behavior, collective cellular behavior, and tissue-level behavior are categorized. Endeavors on the synthesis of biomacromolecules, artificial cells, engineered tissues, and organoids in spatially confined bioreactors are then emphasized. After that, we discuss the cutting-edge applications of spatially confined artificial living systems in biomedical fields. Finally, we conclude by assessing the remaining challenges and future trends in the context of fundamental science, technical improvement, and practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luoran Shang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China. .,Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fangfu Ye
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. .,Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health); Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325001, China.
| | - Ming Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China. .,Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health); Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325001, China.
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18
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Gözen I, Köksal ES, Põldsalu I, Xue L, Spustova K, Pedrueza-Villalmanzo E, Ryskulov R, Meng F, Jesorka A. Protocells: Milestones and Recent Advances. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2106624. [PMID: 35322554 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202106624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The origin of life is still one of humankind's great mysteries. At the transition between nonliving and living matter, protocells, initially featureless aggregates of abiotic matter, gain the structure and functions necessary to fulfill the criteria of life. Research addressing protocells as a central element in this transition is diverse and increasingly interdisciplinary. The authors review current protocell concepts and research directions, address milestones, challenges and existing hypotheses in the context of conditions on the early Earth, and provide a concise overview of current protocell research methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irep Gözen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Elif Senem Köksal
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Inga Põldsalu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Lin Xue
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Karolina Spustova
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Esteban Pedrueza-Villalmanzo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
- Department of Physics, University of Gothenburg, Universitetsplatsen 1, Gothenburg, 40530, Sweden
| | - Ruslan Ryskulov
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
| | - Fanda Meng
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
- School of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Aldo Jesorka
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
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19
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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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20
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Chu JO, Choi Y, Kim DW, Jeong HS, Park JP, Weitz DA, Lee SJ, Lee H, Choi CH. Cell-Inspired Hydrogel Microcapsules with a Thin Oil Layer for Enhanced Retention of Highly Reactive Antioxidants. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:2597-2604. [PMID: 34983184 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c20748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In nature, individual cells are compartmentalized by a membrane that protects the cellular elements from the surrounding environment while simultaneously equipped with an antioxidant defense system to alleviate the oxidative stress resulting from light, oxygen, moisture, and temperature. However, this mechanism has not been realized in cellular mimics to effectively encapsulate and retain highly reactive antioxidants. Here, we report cell-inspired hydrogel microcapsules with an interstitial oil layer prepared by utilizing triple emulsion drops as templates to achieve enhanced retention of antioxidants. We employ ionic gelation for the hydrogel shell to prevent exposure of the encapsulated antioxidants to free radicals typically generated during photopolymerization. The interstitial oil layer in the microcapsule serves as an stimulus-responsive diffusion barrier, enabling efficient encapsulation and retention of antioxidants by providing an adequate pH microenvironment until osmotic pressure is applied to release the cargo on-demand. Moreover, addition of a lipophilic reducing agent in the oil layer induces a complementary reaction with the antioxidant, similar to the nonenzymatic antioxidant defense system in cells, leading to enhanced retention of the antioxidant activity. Furthermore, we show the complete recovery and even further enhancement in antioxidant activity by lowering the storage temperature, which decreases the oxidation rate while retaining the complementary reaction with the lipophilic reducing agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ok Chu
- Division of Cosmetic Science and Technology, Daegu Haany University, 1 Haanydaero, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38610, Korea
| | - Yoon Choi
- Division of Cosmetic Science and Technology, Daegu Haany University, 1 Haanydaero, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38610, Korea
| | - Do-Wan Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Daegu Haany University, 1 Haanydaero, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38610, Korea
| | - Hye-Seon Jeong
- Division of Cosmetic Science and Technology, Daegu Haany University, 1 Haanydaero, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38610, Korea
| | - Jong Pil Park
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea
| | - David A Weitz
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Department of Physics, Harvard University, 9 Oxford St, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Sei-Jung Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Daegu Haany University, 1 Haanydaero, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38610, Korea
| | - Hyomin Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Korea
| | - Chang-Hyung Choi
- Division of Cosmetic Science and Technology, Daegu Haany University, 1 Haanydaero, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38610, Korea
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21
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Song XC, Zhou ZH, Yu YL, Deng NN. Microfluidic production of liposomes through liquid-liquid phase separation in ternary droplets. Front Chem Sci Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11705-021-2118-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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22
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Wang C, Yang J, Lu Y. Modularize and Unite: Toward Creating a Functional Artificial Cell. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:781986. [PMID: 34912849 PMCID: PMC8667554 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.781986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
An artificial cell is a simplified model of a living system, bringing breakthroughs into both basic life science and applied research. The bottom-up strategy instructs the construction of an artificial cell from nonliving materials, which could be complicated and interdisciplinary considering the inherent complexity of living cells. Although significant progress has been achieved in the past 2 decades, the area is still facing some problems, such as poor compatibility with complex bio-systems, instability, and low standardization of the construction method. In this review, we propose creating artificial cells through the integration of different functional modules. Furthermore, we divide the function requirements of an artificial cell into four essential parts (metabolism, energy supplement, proliferation, and communication) and discuss the present researches. Then we propose that the compartment and the reestablishment of the communication system would be essential for the reasonable integration of functional modules. Although enormous challenges remain, the modular construction would facilitate the simplification and standardization of an artificial cell toward a natural living system. This function-based strategy would also broaden the application of artificial cells and represent the steps of imitating and surpassing nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Junzhu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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23
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Hierarchical polyion complex vesicles from PAMAM dendrimers. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 606:307-316. [PMID: 34390996 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.07.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hierarchical dendrimer-based polyion complex (PIC) vesicles with multiple compartments have attracted considerable attention as functional delivery vehicles and nano-carriers. Formation of these vesicles relies on the electrostatic assembly of asymmetric polyelectrolytes, namely branched dendrimers with linear polyion-neutral diblock copolymers. However, successful incorporation of dendrimers in vesicle lamellae is challenging due to the compact structure of dendrimers, and therefore, vesicles reported so far are prepared mainly with low generation dendrimers which lack the cavity required for carrier functions. Here, we present a new assembly combination of amine-terminated dendrimer polyamidoamine (PAMAM) with polyion-neutral diblock copolymer poly (styrene sulphonate-b-ethylene oxide) (PSS-b-PEO). The strong charge interaction between the building blocks leads to stable and well-defined PIC vesicles that can tolerate not only different PSS block lengths but, more importantly, also different dendrimer generations from 2 to 7. As a consequence, high generation dendrimers with a cavity can be packed in the vesicle wall, and one obtains hierarchical PIC vesicles with multiple compartments, namely the dendrimer cavity for loading small hydrophobic cargo, and the vesicle lumen for encapsulating hydrophilic macromolecules. Our study demonstrates that combining proper building blocks enables to manipulate the charge interactions, which is essential for controlling the dendrimer packing and the formation of PIC vesicles. These findings should be helpful for understanding the assembly of asymmetric (linear / branched) polyelectrolyte complexes, as well as for designing new hierarchical PIC vesicles for controlled delivery of multiple active substances.
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24
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Kato S, Garenne D, Noireaux V, Maeda YT. Phase Separation and Protein Partitioning in Compartmentalized Cell-Free Expression Reactions. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:3451-3459. [PMID: 34258998 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is important to control a wide range of reactions from gene expression to protein degradation in a cell-sized space. To bring a better understanding of the compatibility of such phase-separated structures with protein synthesis, we study emergent LLPS in a cell-free transcription-translation (TXTL) reaction. When the TXTL reaction composed of many proteins is concentrated, the uniformly mixed state becomes unstable, and membrane-less phases form spontaneously. This LLPS droplet formation is induced when the TXTL reaction is enclosed in water-in-oil emulsion droplets, in which water evaporates from the surface. As the emulsion droplets shrink, smaller LLPS droplets appear inside the emulsion droplets and coalesce into large phase-separated domains that partition the localization of synthesized reporter proteins. The presence of PEG in the TXTL reaction is important not only for versatile cell-free protein synthesis but also for the formation of two large domains capable of protein partitioning. Our results may shed light on the dynamic interplay of LLPS formation and cell-free protein synthesis toward the construction of synthetic organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzo Kato
- Department of Physics, Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - David Garenne
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, 115 Union Street Se, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Vincent Noireaux
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, 115 Union Street Se, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Yusuke T Maeda
- Department of Physics, Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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25
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System concentration shift as a regulator of transcription-translation system within liposomes. iScience 2021; 24:102859. [PMID: 34386726 PMCID: PMC8346668 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Biochemical systems in living cells have their optimum concentration ratio among each constituent element to maintain their functionality. However, in the case of the biochemical system with complex interactions and feedbacks among elements, their activity as a system greatly changes by the concentration shift of the entire system irrespective of the concentration ratio among elements. In this study, by using a transcription-translation (TX-TL) system as the subject, we illustrate the principle of the nonlinear relationship between the system concentration and the activity of the system. Our experiment and simulation showed that shifts of the system concentration of TX-TL by dilution and concentration works as a switch of activity and demonstrated its ability to induce a biochemical system to confer the permeability of small molecules to liposomes. These results contribute to the creation of artificial cells with the switch and provide an insight into the emergence of protocells.
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26
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Green DW, Watson JA, Ben-Nissan B, Watson GS, Stamboulis A. Synthetic tissue engineering with smart, cytomimetic protocells. Biomaterials 2021; 276:120941. [PMID: 34298445 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic protocells are rudimentary origin-of-life versions of natural cell counterparts. Protocells are widely engineered to advance efforts and useful accepted outcomes in synthetic biology, soft matter chemistry and bioinspired materials chemistry. Protocells in collective symbiosis generate synthetic proto-tissues that display unprecedented autonomy and yield advanced materials with desirable life-like features for smart multi-drug delivery, micro bioreactors, renewable fuel production, environmental clean-up, and medicine. Current levels of protocell and proto-tissue functionality and adaptivity are just sufficient to apply them in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, where they animate biomaterials and increase therapeutic cell productivity. As of now, structural biomaterials for tissue engineering lack the properties of living biomaterials such as self-repair, stochasticity, cell synergy and the sequencing of molecular and cellular events. Future protocell-based biomaterials provide these core properties of living organisms, but excluding evolution. Most importantly, protocells are programmable for a broad array of cell functions and behaviors and collectively in consortia are tunable for multivariate functions. Inspired by upcoming designs of smart protocells, we review their developmental background and cover the most recently reported developments in this promising field of synthetic proto-biology. Our emphasis is on manufacturing proto-tissues for tissue engineering of organoids, stem cell niches and reprogramming and tissue formation through stages of embryonic development. We also highlight the exciting reported developments arising from fusing living cells and tissues, in a valuable hybrid symbiosis, with synthetic counterparts to bring about novel functions, and living tissue products for a new synthetic tissue engineering discipline.
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Affiliation(s)
- David William Green
- School of Metallurgy and Materials, Biomaterials Research Group, Proto-cellular Biomaterials Unit, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Jolanta Anna Watson
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast Campus, Hervey Bay, QLD 4655, Australia
| | - Besim Ben-Nissan
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology, PO BOX 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gregory Shaun Watson
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast Campus, Hervey Bay, QLD 4655, Australia
| | - Artemis Stamboulis
- School of Metallurgy and Materials, Biomaterials Research Group, Proto-cellular Biomaterials Unit, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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27
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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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28
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Mu W, Ji Z, Zhou M, Wu J, Lin Y, Qiao Y. Membrane-confined liquid-liquid phase separation toward artificial organelles. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabf9000. [PMID: 34049872 PMCID: PMC8163073 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf9000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
As the basic unit of life, cells are compartmentalized microreactors with molecularly crowded microenvironments. The quest to understand the cell origin inspires the design of synthetic analogs to mimic their functionality and structural complexity. In this work, we integrate membraneless coacervate microdroplets, a prototype of artificial organelles, into a proteinosome to build hierarchical protocells that may serve as a more realistic model of cellular organization. The protocell subcompartments can sense extracellular signals, take actions in response to these stimuli, and adapt their physicochemical behaviors. The tiered protocells are also capable of enriching biomolecular reactants within the confined organelles, thereby accelerating enzymatic reactions. The ability of signal processing inside protocells allows us to design the Boolean logic gates (NOR and NAND) using biochemical inputs. Our results highlight possible exploration of protocell-community signaling and render a flexible synthetic platform to study complex metabolic reaction networks and embodied chemical computation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Mu
- 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
| | - Zhen 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
| | - Musen Zhou
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Jianzhong Wu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - 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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29
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Wang X, Zhang P, Tian L. Spatiotemporal organization of coacervate microdroplets. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2021.101420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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30
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31
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Bao P, Paterson DA, Peyman SA, Jones JC, Sandoe JAT, Gleeson HF, Evans SD, Bushby RJ. Production of giant unilamellar vesicles and encapsulation of lyotropic nematic liquid crystals. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:2234-2241. [PMID: 33469638 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01684e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
We describe a modified microfluidic method for making Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs) via water/octanol-lipid/water double emulsion droplets. At a high enough lipid concentration we show that the de-wetting of the octanol from these droplets occurs spontaneously (off-chip) without the need to use shear to aid the de-wetting process. The resultant mixture of octanol droplets and GUVs can be separated by making use of the buoyancy of the octanol. A simpler microfluidic device and pump system can be employed and, because of the higher flow-rates and much higher rate of formation of the double emulsion droplets (∼1500 s-1 compared to up to ∼75 s-1), it is easier to make larger numbers of GUVs and larger volumes of solution. Because of the potential for using GUVs that incorporate lyotropic nematic liquid crystals in biosensors we have used this method to make GUVs that incorporate the nematic phases of sunset yellow and disodium chromoglycate. However, the phase behaviour of these lyotropic liquid crystals is quite sensitive to concentration and we found that there is an unexpected spread in the concentration of the contents of the GUVs obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Bao
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Daniel A Paterson
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK and School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Sally A Peyman
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK and Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - J Cliff Jones
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Jonathan A T Sandoe
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Helen F Gleeson
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Stephen D Evans
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
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32
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Seo H, Lee H. Recent developments in microfluidic synthesis of artificial cell-like polymersomes and liposomes for functional bioreactors. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2021; 15:021301. [PMID: 33833845 PMCID: PMC8012066 DOI: 10.1063/5.0048441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in droplet microfluidics have led to the fabrication of versatile vesicles with a structure that mimics the cellular membrane. These artificial cell-like vesicles including polymersomes and liposomes effectively enclose an aqueous core with well-defined size and composition from the surrounding environment to implement various biological reactions, serving as a diverse functional reactor. The advantage of realizing various biological phenomena within a compartment separated by a membrane that resembles a natural cell membrane is actively explored in the fields of synthetic biology as well as biomedical applications including drug delivery, biosensors, and bioreactors, to name a few. In this Perspective, we first summarize various methods utilized in producing these polymersomes and liposomes. Moreover, we will highlight some of the recent advances in the design of these artificial cell-like vesicles for functional bioreactors and discuss the current issues and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjin Seo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
| | - Hyomin Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
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33
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Zhang Y, Chen Y, Yang X, He X, Li M, Liu S, Wang K, Liu J, Mann S. Giant Coacervate Vesicles As an Integrated Approach to Cytomimetic Modeling. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:2866-2874. [PMID: 33566601 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c12494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Although giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) have been extensively studied as synthetic cell-like microcompartments, their applicability as cytomimetic models is severely compromised by low levels of membrane permeability, low encapsulation efficiencies, and high physicochemical instability. Here, we develop an integrated cytomimetic model comprising a macromolecularly crowded interior with high sequestration efficiency and enclosed within a phospholipid membrane that is permeable to molecules below a molecular weight cutoff of ca. 4 kDa. The protocells are readily prepared by spontaneous assembly of a phospholipid membrane on the surface of preformed polynucleotide/polysaccharide coacervate microdroplets and are designated as giant coacervate vesicles (GCVs). Partial anchoring of the GCV membrane to the underlying coacervate phase results in increased robustness, lower membrane fluidity, and increased permeability compared with GUV counterparts. As a consequence, enzyme and ribozyme catalysis can be triggered in the molecularly crowded interior of the GCV but not inside the GUVs when small molecule substrates or inducers are present in the external environment. By integrating processes of membrane-mediated compartmentalization and liquid-liquid microphase separation, GCVs could offer substantial advantages as cytomimetic models, synthetic protocells, and artificial biomolecular microreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwen Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Yufeng Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohai Yang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao He
- College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | | | - Songyang Liu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Kemin Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Jianbo Liu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Stephen Mann
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
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34
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Abstract
Adenosine triphosphate has been employed as a biomolecular building block to fabricate pH and enzyme responsive compartmentalized supramolecular assemblies sequestering silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and doxorubicin in the core and increase the therapeutic efficacy. Detailed investigations reveal that meticulous design can integrate chemical enrichment, stimuli responsiveness and targeted delivery within compartmentalized models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Priya Datta
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Kalyani, Kalyani-741235, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
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35
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Wang X, Du H, Wang Z, Mu W, Han X. Versatile Phospholipid Assemblies for Functional Synthetic Cells and Artificial Tissues. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2002635. [PMID: 32830387 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202002635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The bottom-up construction of a synthetic cell from nonliving building blocks capable of mimicking cellular properties and behaviors helps to understand the particular biophysical properties and working mechanisms of a cell. A synthetic cell built in this way possesses defined chemical composition and structure. Since phospholipids are native biomembrane components, their assemblies are widely used to mimic cellular structures. Here, recent developments in the formation of versatile phospholipid assemblies are described, together with the applications of these assemblies for functional membranes (protein reconstituted giant unilamellar vesicles), spherical and nonspherical protoorganelles, and functional synthetic cells, as well as the high-order hierarchical structures of artificial tissues. Their biomedical applications are also briefly summarized. Finally, the challenges and future directions in the field of synthetic cells and artificial tissues based on phospholipid assemblies are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Hang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- Marine Antifouling Engineering Technology Center of Shangdong Province, Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai, 264209, China
| | - Zhao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Wei Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xiaojun Han
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
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36
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Yang Q, Guo Z, Liu H, Peng R, Xu L, Bi C, He Y, Liu Q, Tan W. A Cascade Signaling Network between Artificial Cells Switching Activity of Synthetic Transmembrane Channels. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 143:232-240. [PMID: 33356224 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c09558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell communication plays a vital role in biological activities; in particular, membrane-protein interactions are profoundly significant. In order to explore the underlying mechanism of intercellular signaling pathways, a full range of artificial systems have been explored. However, many of them are complicated and uncontrollable. Herein we designed an artificial signal transduction system able to control the influx of environmental ions by triggering the activation of synthetic transmembrane channels immobilized on giant membrane vesicles (GMVs). A membrane protein-like stimulator from one GMV community (GMVB) stimulates a receptor on another GMV community (GMVA) to release ssDNA messengers, resulting in the activation of synthetic transmembrane channels to enable the influx of ions. This event, in turn, triggers signal responses encapsulated in the GMVA protocell model. By mimicking natural signal transduction pathways, this novel prototype provides a workable tool for investigating cell-cell communication and expands biological signaling systems in general as well as explores useful platforms for addressing scientific problems which involve materials science, chemistry, and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxia Yang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenzhen Guo
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruizi Peng
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Liujun Xu
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Bi
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaqing He
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiaoling Liu
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Weihong Tan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, People's Republic of China
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37
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Cho E, Lu Y. Compartmentalizing Cell-Free Systems: Toward Creating Life-Like Artificial Cells and Beyond. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2881-2901. [PMID: 33095011 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Building an artificial cell is a research area that is rigorously studied in the field of synthetic biology. It has brought about much attention with the aim of ultimately constructing a natural cell-like structure. In particular, with the more mature cell-free platforms and various compartmentalization methods becoming available, achieving this aim seems not far away. In this review, we discuss the various types of artificial cells capable of hosting several cellular functions. Different compartmental boundaries and the mature and evolving technologies that are used for compartmentalization are examined, and exciting recent advances that overcome or have the potential to address current challenges are discussed. Ultimately, we show how compartmentalization and cell-free systems have, and will, come together to fulfill the goal to assemble a fully synthetic cell that displays functionality and complexity as advanced as that in nature. The development of such artificial cell systems will offer insight into the fundamental study of evolutionary biology and the sea of applications as a result. Although several challenges remain, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence also appear to help pave the way to address them and achieve the ultimate goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunhee Cho
- Key Lab of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yuan Lu
- Key Lab of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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38
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Vibhute MA, Schaap MH, Maas RJM, Nelissen FHT, Spruijt E, Heus HA, Hansen MMK, Huck WTS. Transcription and Translation in Cytomimetic Protocells Perform Most Efficiently at Distinct Macromolecular Crowding Conditions. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2797-2807. [PMID: 32976714 PMCID: PMC7573978 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
![]()
The formation of
cytomimetic protocells that capture the physicochemical
aspects of living cells is an important goal in bottom-up synthetic
biology. Here, we recreated the crowded cytoplasm in liposome-based
protocells and studied the kinetics of cell-free gene expression in
these crowded containers. We found that diffusion of key components
is affected not only by macromolecular crowding but also by enzymatic
activity in the protocell. Surprisingly, size-dependent diffusion
in crowded conditions yielded two distinct maxima for protein synthesis,
reflecting the differential impact of crowding on transcription and
translation. Our experimental data show, for the first time, that
macromolecular crowding induces a switch from reaction to diffusion
control and that this switch depends on the sizes of the macromolecules
involved. These results highlight the need to control the physical
environment in the design of synthetic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahesh A. Vibhute
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark H. Schaap
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Roel J. M. Maas
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank H. T. Nelissen
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans A. Heus
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maike M. K. Hansen
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wilhelm T. S. Huck
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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39
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Gires PY, Thampi M, Weiss M. Quantifying active diffusion in an agitated fluid. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:21678-21684. [PMID: 32966453 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp03629c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Mixing of reactants in microdroplets predominantly relies on diffusional motion due to small Reynolds numbers and the resulting absence of turbulent flows. Enhancing diffusion in microdroplets by an auxiliary noise source is therefore a topical problem. Here we report on how the diffusional motion of tracer beads is enhanced upon agitating the surrounding aqueous fluid with miniaturized magnetic stir bars that are compatible with microdroplets and microfluidic devices. Using single-particle tracking, we demonstrate via a broad palette of measures that local stirring of the fluid at different frequencies leads to an enhanced but apparently normal and homogenous diffusion process, i.e. diffusional steps follow the anticipated Gaussian distribution and no ballistic motion is observed whereas diffusion coefficients are significantly increased. The signature of stirring is, however, visible in the power-spectral density and in the velocity autocorrelation function of trajectories. Our data therefore demonstrate that diffusive mixing can be locally enhanced with miniaturized stir bars while only moderately affecting the ambient noise properties. The latter may also facilitate the controlled addition of nonequilibrium noise to complex fluids in future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Yves Gires
- Experimental Physics I, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, D-95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
| | - Mithun Thampi
- Experimental Physics I, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, D-95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
| | - Matthias Weiss
- Experimental Physics I, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, D-95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
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40
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Lussier F, Staufer O, Platzman I, Spatz JP. Can Bottom-Up Synthetic Biology Generate Advanced Drug-Delivery Systems? Trends Biotechnol 2020; 39:445-459. [PMID: 32912650 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Creating a magic bullet that can selectively kill cancer cells while sparing nearby healthy cells remains one of the most ambitious objectives in pharmacology. Nanomedicine, which relies on the use of nanotechnologies to fight disease, was envisaged to fulfill this coveted goal. Despite substantial progress, the structural complexity of therapeutic vehicles impedes their broad clinical application. Novel modular manufacturing approaches for engineering programmable drug carriers may be able to overcome some fundamental limitations of nanomedicine. We discuss how bottom-up synthetic biology principles, empowered by microfluidics, can palliate current drug carrier assembly limitations, and we demonstrate how such a magic bullet could be engineered from the bottom up to ultimately improve clinical outcomes for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Lussier
- Department for Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Oskar Staufer
- Department for Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, 1 Tankard's Close, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK; Max Planck School Matter to Life, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ilia Platzman
- Department for Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, 1 Tankard's Close, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
| | - Joachim P Spatz
- Department for Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, 1 Tankard's Close, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK; Max Planck School Matter to Life, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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41
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Chen Y, Yuan M, Zhang Y, Liu S, Yang X, Wang K, Liu J. Construction of coacervate-in-coacervate multi-compartment protocells for spatial organization of enzymatic reactions. Chem Sci 2020; 11:8617-8625. [PMID: 34123122 PMCID: PMC8163383 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc03849k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Coacervate microdroplets, formed via liquid–liquid phase separation, have been extensively explored as a compartment model for the construction of artificial cells or organelles. In this study, coacervate-in-coacervate multi-compartment protocells were constructed using four polyelectrolytes, in which carboxymethyl-dextran and diethylaminoethyl-dextran were deposited on the surface of as-prepared polydiallyldimethyl ammonium/deoxyribonucleic acid coacervate microdroplets through layer-by-layer assembly. The resulting multi-compartment protocells were composed from two immiscible coacervate phases with distinct physical and chemical properties. Molecule transport experiments indicated that small molecules could diffuse between two coacervate phases and that macromolecular enzymes could be retained. Furthermore, a competitive cascade enzymatic reaction of glucose oxidase/horseradish peroxidase–catalase was performed in the multi-compartment protocells. The different enzyme organization and productions of H2O2 led to a distinct polymerization of dopamine. The spatial organization of different enzymes in immiscible coacervate phases, the distinct reaction fluxes between coacervate phases, and the enzymatic cascade network led to distinguishable signal generation and product outputs. The development of this multi-compartment structure could pave the way toward the spatial organization of multi-enzyme cascades and provide new ideas for the design of organelle-containing artificial cells. A coacervate-in-coacervate micro-architecture is constructed as a multi-compartment protocell model, in which a multi-enzyme cascade is spatially organized for competitive enzymatic reactions.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Min Yuan
- 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - 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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42
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Wang X, Tian L, Ren Y, Zhao Z, Du H, Zhang Z, Drinkwater BW, Mann S, Han X. Chemical Information Exchange in Organized Protocells and Natural Cell Assemblies with Controllable Spatial Positions. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1906394. [PMID: 32105404 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201906394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
An ultrasound-based platform is established to prepare homogenous arrays of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) or red blood cell (RBCs), or hybrid assemblies of GUV/RBCs. Due to different responses to the modulation of the acoustic standing wave pressure field between the GUVs and RBCs, various types of protocell/natural cell hybrid assemblies are prepared with the ability to undergo reversible dynamic reconfigurations from vertical to horizontal alignments, or from 1D to 2D arrangements. A two-step enzymatic cascade reaction between transmitter glucose oxidase-containing GUVs and peroxidase-active receiver RBCs is used to implement chemical signal transduction in the different hybrid micro-arrays. Taken together, the obtained results suggest that the ultrasound-based micro-array technology can be used as an alternative platform to explore chemical communication pathways between protocells and natural cells, providing new opportunities for bottom-up synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Liangfei Tian
- Faculty of Engineering, Queens Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TR, UK
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Yongshuo Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Zhongyang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Hang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- Marine Antifouling Engineering Technology Center of Shandong Province, Weihai, 264209, China
| | - Zhizhou Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- Marine Antifouling Engineering Technology Center of Shandong Province, Weihai, 264209, China
| | - Bruce W Drinkwater
- Faculty of Engineering, Queens Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TR, UK
| | - Stephen Mann
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Xiaojun Han
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
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43
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Wang X, Liu X, Huang X. Bioinspired Protein-Based Assembling: Toward Advanced Life-Like Behaviors. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e2001436. [PMID: 32374501 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202001436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The ability of living organisms to perform structure, energy, and information-related processes for molecular self-assembly through compartmentalization and chemical transformation can possibly be mimicked via artificial cell models. Recent progress in the development of various types of functional microcompartmentalized ensembles that can imitate rudimentary aspects of living cells has refocused attention on the important question of how inanimate systems can transition into living matter. Hence, herein, the most recent advances in the construction of protein-bounded microcompartments (proteinosomes), which have been exploited as a versatile synthetic chassis for integrating a wide range of functional components and biochemical machineries, are critically summarized. The techniques developed for fabricating various types of proteinosomes are discussed, focusing on the significance of how chemical information, substance transportation, enzymatic-reaction-based metabolism, and self-organization can be integrated and recursively exploited in constructed ensembles. Therefore, proteinosomes capable of exhibiting gene-directed protein synthesis, modulated membrane permeability, spatially confined membrane-gated catalytic reaction, internalized cytoskeletal-like matrix assembly, on-demand compartmentalization, and predatory-like chemical communication in artificial cell communities are specially highlighted. These developments are expected to bridge the gap between materials science and life science, and offer a theoretical foundation for developing life-inspired assembled materials toward various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoliang Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, 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, 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, China
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Garenne D, Noireaux V. Analysis of Cytoplasmic and Membrane Molecular Crowding in Genetically Programmed Synthetic Cells. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:2808-2817. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Garenne
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, 115 Union Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Vincent Noireaux
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, 115 Union Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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45
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Méndez‐Ardoy A, Bayón‐Fernández A, Yu Z, Abell C, Granja JR, Montenegro J. Spatially Controlled Supramolecular Polymerization of Peptide Nanotubes by Microfluidics. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202000103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Méndez‐Ardoy
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS) and Departamento de Química OrgánicaUniversidad de Santiago de Compostela 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Alfonso Bayón‐Fernández
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS) and Departamento de Química OrgánicaUniversidad de Santiago de Compostela 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Ziyi Yu
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Chris Abell
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Juan R. Granja
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS) and Departamento de Química OrgánicaUniversidad de Santiago de Compostela 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Javier Montenegro
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS) and Departamento de Química OrgánicaUniversidad de Santiago de Compostela 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
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46
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Laohakunakorn N, Grasemann L, Lavickova B, Michielin G, Shahein A, Swank Z, Maerkl SJ. Bottom-Up Construction of Complex Biomolecular Systems With Cell-Free Synthetic Biology. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:213. [PMID: 32266240 PMCID: PMC7105575 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-free systems offer a promising approach to engineer biology since their open nature allows for well-controlled and characterized reaction conditions. In this review, we discuss the history and recent developments in engineering recombinant and crude extract systems, as well as breakthroughs in enabling technologies, that have facilitated increased throughput, compartmentalization, and spatial control of cell-free protein synthesis reactions. Combined with a deeper understanding of the cell-free systems themselves, these advances improve our ability to address a range of scientific questions. By mastering control of the cell-free platform, we will be in a position to construct increasingly complex biomolecular systems, and approach natural biological complexity in a bottom-up manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadanai Laohakunakorn
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Grasemann
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Barbora Lavickova
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Grégoire Michielin
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Amir Shahein
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zoe Swank
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian J. Maerkl
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Ai Y, Xie R, Xiong J, Liang Q. Microfluidics for Biosynthesizing: from Droplets and Vesicles to Artificial Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1903940. [PMID: 31603270 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201903940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Fabrication of artificial biomimetic materials has attracted abundant attention. As one of the subcategories of biomimetic materials, artificial cells are highly significant for multiple disciplines and their synthesis has been intensively pursued. In order to manufacture robust "alive" artificial cells with high throughput, easy operation, and precise control, flexible microfluidic techniques are widely utilized. Herein, recent advances in microfluidic-based methods for the synthesis of droplets, vesicles, and artificial cells are summarized. First, the advances of droplet fabrication and manipulation on the T-junction, flow-focusing, and coflowing microfluidic devices are discussed. Then, the formation of unicompartmental and multicompartmental vesicles based on microfluidics are summarized. Furthermore, the engineering of droplet-based and vesicle-based artificial cells by microfluidics is also reviewed. Moreover, the artificial cells applied for imitating cell behavior and acting as bioreactors for synthetic biology are highlighted. Finally, the current challenges and future trends in microfluidic-based artificial cells are discussed. This review should be helpful for researchers in the fields of microfluidics, biomaterial fabrication, and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjian Ai
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Beijing Key Lab of Microanalytical Methods & Instrumentation, Department of Chemistry, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Ruoxiao Xie
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Beijing Key Lab of Microanalytical Methods & Instrumentation, Department of Chemistry, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Jialiang Xiong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Beijing Key Lab of Microanalytical Methods & Instrumentation, Department of Chemistry, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Qionglin Liang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Beijing Key Lab of Microanalytical Methods & Instrumentation, Department of Chemistry, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
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48
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Méndez‐Ardoy A, Bayón‐Fernández A, Yu Z, Abell C, Granja JR, Montenegro J. Spatially Controlled Supramolecular Polymerization of Peptide Nanotubes by Microfluidics. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:6902-6908. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202000103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Méndez‐Ardoy
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS) and Departamento de Química OrgánicaUniversidad de Santiago de Compostela 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Alfonso Bayón‐Fernández
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS) and Departamento de Química OrgánicaUniversidad de Santiago de Compostela 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Ziyi Yu
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Chris Abell
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Juan R. Granja
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS) and Departamento de Química OrgánicaUniversidad de Santiago de Compostela 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Javier Montenegro
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS) and Departamento de Química OrgánicaUniversidad de Santiago de Compostela 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
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49
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Jia H, Schwille P. Bottom-up synthetic biology: reconstitution in space and time. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 60:179-187. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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50
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Physicochemical considerations for bottom-up synthetic biology. Emerg Top Life Sci 2019; 3:445-458. [PMID: 33523159 PMCID: PMC7289010 DOI: 10.1042/etls20190017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The bottom-up construction of synthetic cells from molecular components is arguably one of the most challenging areas of research in the life sciences. We review the impact of confining biological systems in synthetic vesicles. Complex cell-like systems require control of the internal pH, ionic strength, (macro)molecular crowding, redox state and metabolic energy conservation. These physicochemical parameters influence protein activity and need to be maintained within limits to ensure the system remains in steady-state. We present the physicochemical considerations for building synthetic cells with dimensions ranging from the smallest prokaryotes to eukaryotic cells.
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