1
|
Zhou HX, Kota D, Qin S, Prasad R. Fundamental Aspects of Phase-Separated Biomolecular Condensates. Chem Rev 2024; 124:8550-8595. [PMID: 38885177 PMCID: PMC11260227 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates, formed through phase separation, are upending our understanding in much of molecular, cell, and developmental biology. There is an urgent need to elucidate the physicochemical foundations of the behaviors and properties of biomolecular condensates. Here we aim to fill this need by writing a comprehensive, critical, and accessible review on the fundamental aspects of phase-separated biomolecular condensates. We introduce the relevant theoretical background, present the theoretical basis for the computation and experimental measurement of condensate properties, and give mechanistic interpretations of condensate behaviors and properties in terms of interactions at the molecular and residue levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Divya Kota
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Sanbo Qin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Ramesh Prasad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Häfner G, Müller M. Reaction-Driven Diffusiophoresis of Liquid Condensates: Potential Mechanisms for Intracellular Organization. ACS NANO 2024; 18:16530-16544. [PMID: 38875706 PMCID: PMC11223496 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c12842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
The cellular environment, characterized by its intricate composition and spatial organization, hosts a variety of organelles, ranging from membrane-bound ones to membraneless structures that are formed through liquid-liquid phase separation. Cells show precise control over the position of such condensates. We demonstrate that organelle movement in external concentration gradients, diffusiophoresis, is distinct from the one of colloids because fluxes can remain finite inside the liquid-phase droplets and movement of the latter arises from incompressibility. Within cellular domains diffusiophoresis naturally arises from biochemical reactions that are driven by a chemical fuel and produce waste. Simulations and analytical arguments within a minimal model of reaction-driven phase separation reveal that the directed movement stems from two contributions: Fuel and waste are refilled or extracted at the boundary, resulting in concentration gradients, which (i) induce product fluxes via incompressibility and (ii) result in an asymmetric forward reaction in the droplet's surroundings (as well as asymmetric backward reaction inside the droplet), thereby shifting the droplet's position. We show that the former contribution dominates and sets the direction of the movement, toward or away from fuel source and waste sink, depending on the product molecules' affinity toward fuel and waste, respectively. The mechanism thus provides a simple means to organize condensates with different composition. Particle-based simulations and systems with more complex reaction cycles corroborate the robustness and universality of this mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Häfner
- Georg-August
Universität Göttingen, Institut für Theoretische Physik, Friedrich-Hund Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Max
Planck School Matter to Life, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcus Müller
- Georg-August
Universität Göttingen, Institut für Theoretische Physik, Friedrich-Hund Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Max
Planck School Matter to Life, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Singh A, Thutupalli S, Kumar M, Ameta S. Constrained dynamics of DNA oligonucleotides in phase-separated droplets. Biophys J 2024; 123:1458-1466. [PMID: 38169216 PMCID: PMC11163293 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the dynamics of biomolecules in complex environments is crucial for elucidating the effect of condensed and heterogeneous environments on their functional properties. A relevant environment-and one that can also be mimicked easily in vitro-is that of phase-separated droplets. While phase-separated droplet systems have been shown to compartmentalize a wide range of functional biomolecules, the effects of internal structuration of droplets on the dynamics and mobility of internalized molecules remain poorly understood. Here, we use fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to measure the dynamics of short oligonucleotides encapsulated within two representative kinds of uncharged and charged phase-separated droplets. We find that the internal structuration controls the oligonucleotide dynamics in these droplets, revealed by measuring physical parameters at high spatiotemporal resolution. By varying oligonucleotide length and salt concentrations (and thereby charge screening), we found that the dynamics are significantly affected in the noncharged droplets compared to the charged system. Our work lays the foundation for unraveling and quantifying the physical parameters governing biomolecular transport in the condensed environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anupam Singh
- Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - Shashi Thutupalli
- Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India; International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India.
| | - Sandeep Ameta
- Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India; Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University, Sonepat, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Seo H, Lee H. Programmable Enzymatic Reaction Network in Artificial Cell-Like Polymersomes. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305760. [PMID: 38627986 PMCID: PMC11200095 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305760] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The ability to precisely control in vitro enzymatic reactions in synthetic cells plays a crucial role in the bottom-up design of artificial cell models that can recapitulate the key cellular features and functions such as metabolism. However, integration of enzymatic reactions has been limited to bulk or microfluidic emulsions without a membrane, lacking the ability to design more sophisticated higher-order artificial cell communities for reconstituting spatiotemporal biological information at multiple length scales. Herein, droplet microfluidics is utilized to synthesize artificial cell-like polymersomes with distinct molecular permeability for spatiotemporal control of enzymatic reactions driven by external signals and fuels. The presence of a competing reverse enzymatic reaction that depletes the active substrates is shown to enable demonstration of fuel-driven formation of sub-microcompartments within polymersomes as well as realization of out-of-equilibrium systems. In addition, the different permeability characteristics of polymersome membranes are exploited to successfully construct a programmable enzymatic reaction network that mimics cellular communication within a heterogeneous cell community through selective molecular transport.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanjin Seo
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)77 Cheongam‐Ro, Nam‐GuPohangGyeongbuk37673South Korea
| | - Hyomin Lee
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)77 Cheongam‐Ro, Nam‐GuPohangGyeongbuk37673South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abraham GR, Chaderjian AS, N Nguyen AB, Wilken S, Saleh OA. Nucleic acid liquids. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2024; 87:066601. [PMID: 38697088 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/ad4662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
The confluence of recent discoveries of the roles of biomolecular liquids in living systems and modern abilities to precisely synthesize and modify nucleic acids (NAs) has led to a surge of interest in liquid phases of NAs. These phases can be formed primarily from NAs, as driven by base-pairing interactions, or from the electrostatic combination (coacervation) of negatively charged NAs and positively charged molecules. Generally, the use of sequence-engineered NAs provides the means to tune microsopic particle properties, and thus imbue specific, customizable behaviors into the resulting liquids. In this way, researchers have used NA liquids to tackle fundamental problems in the physics of finite valence soft materials, and to create liquids with novel structured and/or multi-functional properties. Here, we review this growing field, discussing the theoretical background of NA liquid phase separation, quantitative understanding of liquid material properties, and the broad and growing array of functional demonstrations in these materials. We close with a few comments discussing remaining open questions and challenges in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle R Abraham
- Physics Department,University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States of America
| | - Aria S Chaderjian
- Physics Department,University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States of America
| | - Anna B N Nguyen
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States of America
| | - Sam Wilken
- Physics Department,University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States of America
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States of America
| | - Omar A Saleh
- Physics Department,University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States of America
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States of America
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Morrison C, Chan EP, Lee T, Deming TJ. Switchable Coacervate Formation via Amino Acid Functionalization of Poly(dehydroalanine). Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:2554-2562. [PMID: 38426942 PMCID: PMC11005011 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Our group recently developed a family of side-chain amino acid-functionalized poly(S-alkyl-l-homocysteines), Xaa-CH (Xaa = generic amino acid), which possess the ability to form environmentally responsive coacervates in water. In an effort to further study how the molecular structure affects polypeptide coacervate formation, we prepared side-chain amino acid-functionalized poly(S-alkyl-rac-cysteines), Xaa-rac-C, via post-polymerization modification of poly(dehydroalanine), ADH. The use of the ADH platform allowed straightforward synthesis of a diverse range of side-chain amino acid-functionalized polypeptides via direct reaction of unprotected l-amino acid 2-mercaptoethylamides with ADH. Despite their differences in the main-chain structure, we found that Xaa-rac-C can form coacervates with properties similar to those seen with Xaa-CH. These results suggest that the incorporation of side-chain amino acids onto polypeptides may be a way to generally favor coacervation. The incorporation of l-methionine in Met-rac-C allowed the preparation of coacervates with improved stability against high ionic strength media. Further, the presence of additional thioether groups in Met-rac-C resulted in an increased solubility change upon oxidation allowing facile reversible redox switching of coacervate formation in aqueous media.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Casey
A. Morrison
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Ethan P. Chan
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Thatcher Lee
- Department
of Chemistry, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts 01063, United States
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of California,
Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Timothy J. Deming
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of California,
Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sato K, Nakagawa Y, Mori M, Takinoue M, Kinbara K. Transient control of lytic activity via a non-equilibrium chemical reaction system. NANOSCALE 2024. [PMID: 38465880 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr06626f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The development of artificial non-equilibrium chemical reaction systems has recently attracted considerable attention as a new type of biomimetic. However, due to the lack of bioorthogonality, such reaction systems could not be linked to the regulation of any biological phenomena. Here, we have newly designed a non-equilibrium reaction system based on olefin metathesis to produce the Triton X-mimetic non-ionic amphiphile as a kinetic product. Using phospholipid vesicles encapsulating fluorescent dyes and red blood cells as cell models, we demonstrate that the developed chemical reaction system is applicable for transient control of the resulting lytic activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Sato
- School of Life Science and Technology, International Research Frontiers Initiative, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
| | - Yume Nakagawa
- School of Life Science and Technology, International Research Frontiers Initiative, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
| | - Miki Mori
- School of Life Science and Technology, International Research Frontiers Initiative, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
| | - Masahiro Takinoue
- School of Life Science and Technology, International Research Frontiers Initiative, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
- Department of Computer Science, International Research Frontiers Initiative, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
- Living Systems Materialogy Research Group, International Research Frontiers Initiative, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Kazushi Kinbara
- School of Life Science and Technology, International Research Frontiers Initiative, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
- Living Systems Materialogy Research Group, International Research Frontiers Initiative, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kota D, Prasad R, Zhou HX. Adenosine Triphosphate Mediates Phase Separation of Disordered Basic Proteins by Bridging Intermolecular Interaction Networks. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:1326-1336. [PMID: 38174879 PMCID: PMC10843746 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an abundant molecule with crucial cellular roles as the energy currency and a building block of nucleic acids and for protein phosphorylation. Here we show that ATP mediates the phase separation of basic intrinsically disordered proteins (bIDPs). In the resulting condensates, ATP is highly concentrated (apparent partition coefficients up to 7700) and serves as bridges between bIDP chains. These liquid-like droplets have some of the lowest interfacial tension (∼25 pN/μm) but high zero-shear viscosities (1-15 Pa s) due to the bridged protein networks, and yet their fusion has some of the highest speeds (∼1 μm/ms). The rapid fusion manifests extreme shear thinning, where the apparent viscosity is lower than zero-shear viscosity by over 100-fold, made possible by fast reformation of the ATP bridges. At still higher concentrations, ATP does not dissolve bIDP droplets but results in aggregates and fibrils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Divya Kota
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Ramesh Prasad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ostermeier L, Ascani M, Gajardo-Parra N, Sadowski G, Held C, Winter R. Leveraging liquid-liquid phase separation and volume modulation to regulate the enzymatic activity of formate dehydrogenase. Biophys Chem 2024; 304:107128. [PMID: 37922819 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2023.107128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Engineering of reaction media is an exciting alternative for modulating kinetic properties of biocatalytic reactions. We addressed the combined effect of an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) and high hydrostatic pressure on the kinetics of the Candida boidinii formate dehydrogenase-catalyzed oxidation of formate to CO2. Pressurization was found to lead to an increase of the binding affinity (decrease of KM, respectively) and a decrease of the turnover number, kcat. The experimental approach was supported using thermodynamic modeling with the electrolyte Perturbed-Chain Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (ePC-SAFT) equation of state to predict the liquid-liquid phase separation and the molecular crowding effect of the ATPS on the kinetic properties. The ePC-SAFT was able to quantitatively predict the KM-values of the substrate in both phases at 1 bar as well as up to a pressure of 1000 bar. The framework presented enables significant advances in bioprocess engineering, including the design of processes with significantly fewer experiments and trial-and-error approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lena Ostermeier
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical, Biology, Physical Chemistry I, TU Dortmund University, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Moreno Ascani
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge-Str. 70, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Nicolás Gajardo-Parra
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge-Str. 70, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Gabriele Sadowski
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge-Str. 70, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christoph Held
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge-Str. 70, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Roland Winter
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical, Biology, Physical Chemistry I, TU Dortmund University, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wang J, Abbas M, Wang J, Spruijt E. Selective amide bond formation in redox-active coacervate protocells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8492. [PMID: 38129391 PMCID: PMC10739716 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44284-x] [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: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Coacervate droplets are promising protocell models because they sequester a wide range of guest molecules and may catalyze their conversion. However, it remains unclear how life's building blocks, including peptides, could be synthesized from primitive precursor molecules inside such protocells. Here, we develop a redox-active protocell model formed by phase separation of prebiotically relevant ferricyanide (Fe(CN)63-) molecules and cationic peptides. Their assembly into coacervates can be regulated by redox chemistry and the coacervates act as oxidizing hubs for sequestered metabolites, like NAD(P)H and gluthathione. Interestingly, the oxidizing potential of Fe(CN)63- inside coacervates can be harnessed to drive the formation of new amide bonds between prebiotically relevant amino acids and α-amidothioacids. Aminoacylation is enhanced in Fe(CN)63-/peptide coacervates and selective for amino acids that interact less strongly with the coacervates. We finally use Fe(CN)63--containing coacervates to spatially control assembly of fibrous networks inside and at the surface of coacervate protocells. These results provide an important step towards the prebiotically relevant integration of redox chemistry in primitive cell-like compartments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiahua Wang
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Manzar Abbas
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Junyou Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nobeyama T, Furuki T, Shiraki K. Phase-Diagram Observation of Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in the Poly(l-lysine)/ATP System and a Proposal for Diagram-Based Application Strategy. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:17043-17049. [PMID: 37967197 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c01640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is essential to understanding the biomacromolecule compartmentalization in living cells and to developing soft-matter structures for chemical reactions and drug delivery systems. However, the importance of detailed experimental phase diagrams of modern LLPS systems tends to be overlooked in recent times. Even for the poly(l-lysine) (PLL)/ATP system, which is one of the most widely used LLPS models, any detailed phase diagram of LLPS has not been reported. Herein, we report the first phase diagram of the PLL/ATP system and demonstrate the feasibility of phase-diagram-based research design for understanding the physical properties of LLPS systems and realizing biophysical and medical applications. We established an experimentally handy model for the droplet formation-disappearance process by generating a concentration gradient in a chamber for extracting a suitable condition on the phase diagram, including the two-phase droplet region. As a proof of concept of pharmaceutical application, we added a human immunoglobulin G (IgG) solution to the PLL/ATP system. Using the knowledge from the phase diagram, we realized the formation of IgG/PLL droplets in a pharmaceutically required IgG concentration of ca. 10 mg/mL. Thus, this study provides guidance for using the phase diagram to analyze and utilize LLPS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Nobeyama
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8573, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Furuki
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8573, Japan
| | - Kentaro Shiraki
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8573, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Nobeyama T, Tataka K, Mori M, Murakami T, Yamada Y, Shiraki K. Synthesis of Butterfly-Like Shaped Gold Nanomaterial: For the Regulation of Liquid-Liquid Phase-Separated Biomacromolecule Droplets. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2300362. [PMID: 37596729 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202300362] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Nanotechnology is a critical tool to manipulate the sophisticated behavior of biological structures and has provided new research fields. Liquid-liquid phase-separated (LLPS) droplets gather attention as basic reaction fields in a living cell. Droplets play critical roles in regulating protein behavior, including enzyme compartmentalization, stress response, and disease pathogenesis. The dynamic manipulation of LLPS droplet formation/deformation has become a crucial target in nanobiotechnology. However, the development of nanodevices specifically designed for this purpose remains a challenge. Therefore, this study presents butterfly-shaped gold nanobutterflies (GNBs) as novel nanodevices for manipulating LLPS droplet dynamics. The growth process of the GNBs is analyzed via time-lapse electroscopic imaging, time-lapse spectroscopy, and additives assays. Interestingly, GNBs demonstrate the ability to induce LLPS droplet formation in systems such as adenosine triphosphate/poly-l-lysine and human immunoglobulin G, whereas spherical and rod-shaped gold nanoparticles exhibit no such capability. This indicates that the GNB concave surface interacts with the droplet precursors facilitating the LLPS droplet formation. Near-infrared-laser irradiation applied to GNBs enables on-demand deformation of the droplets through localized heat effects. GNB regulates the enzymatic reaction of lysozymes. The innovative design of GNBs presents a promising strategy for manipulating LLPS dynamics and offers exciting prospects for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Nobeyama
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8573, Japan
| | - Koji Tataka
- Graduate School of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama, 939-0398, Japan
- Human Life Technology Research, Toyama Industrial Technology Research and Development Center, 35-1 Iwatakeshin, Nanto, Toyama, 939-1503, Japan
| | - Megumi Mori
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Murakami
- Graduate School of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama, 939-0398, Japan
| | - Yoichi Yamada
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8573, Japan
| | - Kentaro Shiraki
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8573, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yu X, Mukwaya V, Mann S, Dou H. Signal Transduction in Artificial Cells. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300231. [PMID: 37116092 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, significant progress has been made in the emerging field of constructing biomimetic soft compartments with life-like behaviors. Given that biological activities occur under a flux of energy and matter exchange, the implementation of rudimentary signaling pathways in artificial cells (protocells) is a prerequisite for the development of adaptive sense-response phenotypes in cytomimetic models. Herein, recent approaches to the integration of signal transduction modules in model protocells prepared by bottom-up construction are discussed. The approaches are classified into two categories involving invasive biochemical signals or non-invasive physical stimuli. In the former mechanism, transducers with intrinsic recognition capability respond with high specificity, while in the latter, artificial cells respond through intra-protocellular energy transduction. Although major challenges remain in the pursuit of a sophisticated artificial signaling network for the orchestration of higher-order cytomimetic models, significant advances have been made in establishing rudimentary protocell communication networks, providing novel organizational models for the development of life-like microsystems and new avenues in protoliving technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Vincent Mukwaya
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Stephen Mann
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology and Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Hongjing Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lin Z, Beneyton T, Baret JC, Martin N. Coacervate Droplets for Synthetic Cells. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300496. [PMID: 37462244 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The design and construction of synthetic cells - human-made microcompartments that mimic features of living cells - have experienced a real boom in the past decade. While many efforts have been geared toward assembling membrane-bounded compartments, coacervate droplets produced by liquid-liquid phase separation have emerged as an alternative membrane-free compartmentalization paradigm. Here, the dual role of coacervate droplets in synthetic cell research is discussed: encapsulated within membrane-enclosed compartments, coacervates act as surrogates of membraneless organelles ubiquitously found in living cells; alternatively, they can be viewed as crowded cytosol-like chassis for constructing integrated synthetic cells. After introducing key concepts of coacervation and illustrating the chemical diversity of coacervate systems, their physicochemical properties and resulting bioinspired functions are emphasized. Moving from suspensions of free floating coacervates, the two nascent roles of these droplets in synthetic cell research are highlighted: organelle-like modules and cytosol-like templates. Building the discussion on recent studies from the literature, the potential of coacervate droplets to assemble integrated synthetic cells capable of multiple life-inspired functions is showcased. Future challenges that are still to be tackled in the field are finally discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zi Lin
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Thomas Beneyton
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Baret
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Nicolas Martin
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lu T, Javed S, Bonfio C, Spruijt E. Interfacing Coacervates with Membranes: From Artificial Organelles and Hybrid Protocells to Intracellular Delivery. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300294. [PMID: 37354057 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalization is crucial for the functioning of cells. Membranes enclose and protect the cell, regulate the transport of molecules entering and exiting the cell, and organize cellular machinery in subcompartments. In addition, membraneless condensates, or coacervates, offer dynamic compartments that act as biomolecular storage centers, organizational hubs, or reaction crucibles. Emerging evidence shows that phase-separated membraneless bodies in the cell are involved in a wide range of functional interactions with cellular membranes, leading to transmembrane signaling, membrane remodeling, intracellular transport, and vesicle formation. Such functional and dynamic interplay between phase-separated droplets and membranes also offers many potential benefits to artificial cells, as shown by recent studies involving coacervates and liposomes. Depending on the relative sizes and interaction strength between coacervates and membranes, coacervates can serve as artificial membraneless organelles inside liposomes, as templates for membrane assembly and hybrid artificial cell formation, as membrane remodelers for tubulation and possibly division, and finally, as cargo containers for transport and delivery of biomolecules across membranes by endocytosis or direct membrane crossing. Here, recent experimental examples of each of these functions are reviewed and the underlying physicochemical principles and possible future applications are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiemei Lu
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Sadaf Javed
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia Bonfio
- Institut de Science et d'Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS), CNRS UMR 7006, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, 67083, France
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ivanov T, Cao S, Bohra N, de Souza Melchiors M, Caire da Silva L, Landfester K. Polymeric Microreactors with pH-Controlled Spatial Localization of Cascade Reactions. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:50755-50764. [PMID: 37903081 PMCID: PMC10636718 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c09196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Lipid and polymer vesicles provide versatile means of creating systems that mimic the architecture of cells. However, these constructs cannot mimic the adaptive compartmentalization observed in cells, where the assembly and disassembly of subcompartments are dynamically modulated by environmental cues. Here, we describe a fully polymeric microreactor with a coacervate-in-vesicle architecture that exhibits an adaptive response to pH. The system was fabricated by microfluidic generation of semipermeable biomimetic polymer vesicles within 1 min using oleyl alcohol as the oil phase. The polymersomes allowed for the diffusion of protons and substrates acting as external signals. Using this method, we were able to construct adaptive microreactors containing internal polyelectrolyte-based catalytic organelles capable of sequestering and localizing enzymes and reaction products in a dynamic process driven by an external stimulus. This approach provides a platform for the rapid and efficient construction of robust adaptive microreactors that can be used in catalysis, biosensing, and cell mimicry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsvetomir Ivanov
- Department of Physical Chemistry
of Polymers, Max Planck Institute for Polymer
Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Shoupeng Cao
- Department of Physical Chemistry
of Polymers, Max Planck Institute for Polymer
Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Nitin Bohra
- Department of Physical Chemistry
of Polymers, Max Planck Institute for Polymer
Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Marina de Souza Melchiors
- Department of Physical Chemistry
of Polymers, Max Planck Institute for Polymer
Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Lucas Caire da Silva
- Department of Physical Chemistry
of Polymers, Max Planck Institute for Polymer
Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Katharina Landfester
- Department of Physical Chemistry
of Polymers, Max Planck Institute for Polymer
Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Cai Z, Mei S, Zhou L, Ma X, Wuyun Q, Yan J, Ding H. Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Sheds New Light upon Cardiovascular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15418. [PMID: 37895097 PMCID: PMC10607581 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a biophysical process that mediates the precise and complex spatiotemporal coordination of cellular processes. Proteins and nucleic acids are compartmentalized into micron-scale membrane-less droplets via LLPS. These droplets, termed biomolecular condensates, are highly dynamic, have concentrated components, and perform specific functions. Biomolecular condensates have been observed to organize diverse key biological processes, including gene transcription, signal transduction, DNA damage repair, chromatin organization, and autophagy. The dysregulation of these biological activities owing to aberrant LLPS is important in cardiovascular diseases. This review provides a detailed overview of the regulation and functions of biomolecular condensates, provides a comprehensive depiction of LLPS in several common cardiovascular diseases, and discusses the revolutionary therapeutic perspective of modulating LLPS in cardiovascular diseases and new treatment strategies relevant to LLPS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Cai
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.C.); (S.M.); (L.Z.); (X.M.); (Q.W.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shuai Mei
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.C.); (S.M.); (L.Z.); (X.M.); (Q.W.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.C.); (S.M.); (L.Z.); (X.M.); (Q.W.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiaozhu Ma
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.C.); (S.M.); (L.Z.); (X.M.); (Q.W.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Qidamugai Wuyun
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.C.); (S.M.); (L.Z.); (X.M.); (Q.W.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jiangtao Yan
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.C.); (S.M.); (L.Z.); (X.M.); (Q.W.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
- Genetic Diagnosis Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Hu Ding
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.C.); (S.M.); (L.Z.); (X.M.); (Q.W.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
- Genetic Diagnosis Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Bergmann AM, Bauermann J, Bartolucci G, Donau C, Stasi M, Holtmannspötter AL, Jülicher F, Weber CA, Boekhoven J. Liquid spherical shells are a non-equilibrium steady state of active droplets. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6552. [PMID: 37848445 PMCID: PMC10582082 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42344-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation yields spherical droplets that eventually coarsen to one large, stable droplet governed by the principle of minimal free energy. In chemically fueled phase separation, the formation of phase-separating molecules is coupled to a fuel-driven, non-equilibrium reaction cycle. It thus yields dissipative structures sustained by a continuous fuel conversion. Such dissipative structures are ubiquitous in biology but are poorly understood as they are governed by non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Here, we bridge the gap between passive, close-to-equilibrium, and active, dissipative structures with chemically fueled phase separation. We observe that spherical, active droplets can undergo a morphological transition into a liquid, spherical shell. We demonstrate that the mechanism is related to gradients of short-lived droplet material. We characterize how far out of equilibrium the spherical shell state is and the chemical power necessary to sustain it. Our work suggests alternative avenues for assembling complex stable morphologies, which might already be exploited to form membraneless organelles by cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Bergmann
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Jonathan Bauermann
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Strasse 38, 01187, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Giacomo Bartolucci
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Strasse 38, 01187, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carsten Donau
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Michele Stasi
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Holtmannspötter
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Frank Jülicher
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Strasse 38, 01187, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technical University of Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christoph A Weber
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Materials Engineering: Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstrasse 1, 86159, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Job Boekhoven
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gaash D, Dewan S, Leshem AB, Jaiswal KS, Jelinek R, Lampel A. Modulating the optical properties of carbon dots by peptide condensates. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:12298-12301. [PMID: 37752864 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc03945e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Here, we utilized designed condensates formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of cationic and aromatic peptide to sequester tyrosine-based carbon dots (C-dots). The C-dots fluorescence is quenched and retrieved upon partitioning and release from condensates, allowing a spatial regulation of C-dots fluorescence which can be utilized for biosensing applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dor Gaash
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Simran Dewan
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Avigail Baruch Leshem
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Kumar Sagar Jaiswal
- Department of Chemistry, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 84105 Beer Sheva, Israel
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI), Ben Gurion University of the Negen, Israel
| | - Raz Jelinek
- Department of Chemistry, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 84105 Beer Sheva, Israel
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI), Ben Gurion University of the Negen, Israel
| | - Ayala Lampel
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kota D, Prasad R, Zhou HX. ATP Mediates Phase Separation of Disordered Basic Proteins by Bridging Intermolecular Interaction Networks. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.20.554035. [PMID: 37645809 PMCID: PMC10462115 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.20.554035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
ATP is an abundant molecule with crucial cellular roles as the energy currency and a building block of nucleic acids and for protein phosphorylation. Here we show that ATP mediates the phase separation of basic intrinsically disordered proteins (bIDPs). In the resulting condensates, ATP is highly concentrated (apparent partition coefficients at 200-5000) and serves as bridges between bIDP chains. These liquid-like droplets have some of the lowest interfacial tension (~25 pN/μm) but high zero-shear viscosities (1-15 Pa s) due to the bridged protein networks, and yet their fusion has some of the highest speeds (~1 μm/ms). The rapid fusion manifests extreme shear thinning, where the apparent viscosity is lower than zero-shear viscosity by over 100-fold, made possible by fast reformation of the ATP bridges. At still higher concentrations, ATP does not dissolve bIDP droplets but results in aggregates and fibrils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Divya Kota
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Ramesh Prasad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Le Vay KK, Salibi E, Ghosh B, Tang TYD, Mutschler H. Ribozyme activity modulates the physical properties of RNA-peptide coacervates. eLife 2023; 12:e83543. [PMID: 37326308 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Condensed coacervate phases are now understood to be important features of modern cell biology, as well as valuable protocellular models in origin-of-life studies and synthetic biology. In each of these fields, the development of model systems with varied and tuneable material properties is of great importance for replicating properties of life. Here, we develop a ligase ribozyme system capable of concatenating short RNA fragments into long chains. Our results show that the formation of coacervate microdroplets with the ligase ribozyme and poly(L-lysine) enhances ribozyme rate and yield, which in turn increases the length of the anionic polymer component of the system and imparts specific physical properties to the droplets. Droplets containing active ribozyme sequences resist growth, do not wet or spread on unpassivated surfaces, and exhibit reduced transfer of RNA between droplets when compared to controls containing inactive sequences. These altered behaviours, which stem from RNA sequence and catalytic activity, constitute a specific phenotype and potential fitness advantage, opening the door to selection and evolution experiments based on a genotype-phenotype linkage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Kyle Le Vay
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Elia Salibi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Basusree Ghosh
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - T Y Dora Tang
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Hannes Mutschler
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Fraccia TP, Martin N. Non-enzymatic oligonucleotide ligation in coacervate protocells sustains compartment-content coupling. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2606. [PMID: 37160869 PMCID: PMC10169843 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38163-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Modern cells are complex chemical compartments tightly regulated by an underlying DNA-encoded program. Achieving a form of coupling between molecular content, chemical reactions, and chassis in synthetic compartments represents a key step to the assembly of evolvable protocells but remains challenging. Here, we design coacervate droplets that promote non-enzymatic oligonucleotide polymerization and that restructure as a result of the reaction dynamics. More specifically, we rationally exploit complexation between end-reactive oligonucleotides able to stack into long physical polymers and a cationic azobenzene photoswitch to produce three different phases-soft solids, liquid crystalline or isotropic coacervates droplets-each of them having a different impact on the reaction efficiency. Dynamical modulation of coacervate assembly and dissolution via trans-cis azobenzene photo-isomerization is used to demonstrate cycles of light-actuated oligonucleotide ligation. Remarkably, changes in the population of polynucleotides during polymerization induce phase transitions due to length-based DNA self-sorting to produce multiphase coacervates. Overall, by combining a tight reaction-structure coupling and environmental responsiveness, our reactive coacervates provide a general route to the non-enzymatic synthesis of polynucleotides and pave the way to the emergence of a primitive compartment-content coupling in membrane-free protocells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso P Fraccia
- Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, Chimie Biologie et Innovation, UMR 8231, ESPCI Paris, PSL University, CNRS, 6 rue Jean Calvin, 75005, Paris, France.
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, 20133, Milano, Italy.
| | - Nicolas Martin
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR 5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Chen J, Bai Q, Li Y, Liu Z, Li Y, Liang D. Coacervates Forming Coexisting Phases on a Mineral Surface. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:5814-5824. [PMID: 37053474 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Minerals played a crucial role in the chemical evolution of small molecules into biopolymers. Yet, it is still not clear how the minerals are related to the formation and the evolution of protocells on early Earth. In this work, using the coacervate formed by quaternized dextran (Q-dextran) and single-stranded oligonucleotides (ss-oligo) as the protocell model, we systematically studied the phase separation of Q-dextran and ss-oligo on the muscovite surface. Serving as rigid and 2D polyelectrolytes, the muscovite surface can be treated by Q-dextran to become negatively charged, neutral, or positively charged. We observed that Q-dextran and ss-oligo form uniform coacervates on naked and neutral muscovite surfaces, while they form biphasic coacervates containing Q-dextran-rich phases and ss-oligo-rich phases on positively or negatively charged muscovite surfaces that were pretreated by Q-dextran. The evolution of the phases is caused by the redistribution of the components as the coacervate touches the surface. Our study indicates that the mineral surface could be a potential driving force for the formation of protocells with hierarchical structures and desirable functions on prebiotic Earth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Chen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, 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, 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
| | - Yanzhang Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mineral Environmental Function, and the Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhijun Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, 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
| | - Yan Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mineral Environmental Function, and the Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Dehai Liang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, 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
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bressler SG, Mitrany A, Wenger A, Näthke I, Friedler A. The Oligomerization Domains of the APC Protein Mediate Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation That Is Phosphorylation Controlled. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076478. [PMID: 37047451 PMCID: PMC10095272 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most important properties of intrinsically disordered proteins is their ability to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation and form droplets. The Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) protein is an IDP that plays a key role in Wnt signaling and mutations in Apc initiate cancer. APC forms droplets via its 20R domains and self-association domain (ASAD) and in the context of Axin. However, the mechanism involved is unknown. Here, we used peptides to study the molecular mechanism and regulation of APC droplet formation. We found that a peptide derived from the ASAD of APC-formed droplets. Peptide array screening showed that the ASAD bound other APC peptides corresponding to the 20R3 and 20R5 domains. We discovered that the 20R3/5 peptides also formed droplets by themselves and mapped specific residues within 20R3/5 that are necessary for droplet formation. When incubated together, the ASAD and 20R3/5 did not form droplets. Thus, the interaction of the ASAD with 20R3 and 20R5 may regulate the droplet formation as a means of regulating different cellular functions. Phosphorylation of 20R3 or 20R5 at specific residues prevented droplet formation of 20R3/5. Our results reveal that phosphorylation and the ability to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation, which are both important properties of intrinsically disordered proteins, are related to each other in APC. Phosphorylation inhibited the liquid-liquid phase separation of APC, acting as an ‘on-off’ switch for droplet formation. Phosphorylation may thus be a common mechanism regulating LLPS in intrinsically disordered proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shachar G. Bressler
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Amit Mitrany
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Alon Wenger
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Inke Näthke
- Division of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5AA, Scotland, UK
- Correspondence: (I.N.); (A.F.)
| | - Assaf Friedler
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
- Correspondence: (I.N.); (A.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Cho Y, Jacobs WM. Tuning Nucleation Kinetics via Nonequilibrium Chemical Reactions. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 130:128203. [PMID: 37027881 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.130.128203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Unlike fluids at thermal equilibrium, biomolecular mixtures in living systems can sustain nonequilibrium steady states, in which active processes modify the conformational states of the constituent molecules. Despite qualitative similarities between liquid-liquid phase separation in these systems, the extent to which the phase-separation kinetics differ remains unclear. Here we show that inhomogeneous chemical reactions can alter the nucleation kinetics of liquid-liquid phase separation in a manner that is consistent with classical nucleation theory, but can only be rationalized by introducing a nonequilibrium interfacial tension. We identify conditions under which nucleation can be accelerated without changing the energetics or supersaturation, thus breaking the correlation between fast nucleation and strong driving forces that is typical of phase separation and self-assembly at thermal equilibrium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongick Cho
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - William M Jacobs
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Herrera SE, Agazzi ML, Apuzzo E, Cortez ML, Marmisollé WA, Tagliazucchi M, Azzaroni O. Polyelectrolyte-multivalent molecule complexes: physicochemical properties and applications. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:2013-2041. [PMID: 36811333 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01507b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The complexation of polyelectrolytes with other oppositely charged structures gives rise to a great variety of functional materials with potential applications in a wide spectrum of technological fields. Depending on the assembly conditions, polyelectrolyte complexes can acquire different macroscopic configurations such as dense precipitates, nanosized colloids and liquid coacervates. In the past 50 years, much progress has been achieved to understand the principles behind the phase separation induced by the interaction of two oppositely charged polyelectrolytes in aqueous solutions, especially for symmetric systems (systems in which both polyions have similar molecular weight and concentration). However, in recent years, the complexation of polyelectrolytes with alternative building blocks such as small charged molecules (multivalent inorganic species, oligopeptides, and oligoamines, among others) has gained attention in different areas. In this review, we discuss the physicochemical characteristics of the complexes formed by polyelectrolytes and multivalent small molecules, putting a special emphasis on their similarities with the well-known polycation-polyanion complexes. In addition, we analyze the potential of these complexes to act as versatile functional platforms in various technological fields, such as biomedicine and advanced materials engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santiago E Herrera
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química Física, INQUIMAE, CONICET. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina.
| | - Maximiliano L Agazzi
- Instituto para el Desarrollo Agroindustrial y de la Salud (IDAS), (UNRC, CONICET), Ruta Nacional 36 KM 601, 5800 Río Cuarto, Argentina.
| | - Eugenia Apuzzo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA), (UNLP, CONICET), Sucursal 4, Casilla de Correo 16, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| | - M Lorena Cortez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA), (UNLP, CONICET), Sucursal 4, Casilla de Correo 16, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Waldemar A Marmisollé
- Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA), (UNLP, CONICET), Sucursal 4, Casilla de Correo 16, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Mario Tagliazucchi
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química Física, INQUIMAE, CONICET. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina.
| | - Omar Azzaroni
- Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA), (UNLP, CONICET), Sucursal 4, Casilla de Correo 16, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Digby ZA, Chen Y, Akkaoui K, Schlenoff JB. Bulk Biopolyelectrolyte Complexes from Homopolypeptides: Solid "Salt Bridges". Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:1453-1462. [PMID: 36753621 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Salt bridges, pairings between oppositely charged amino acids, are dispersed throughout proteins to assist folding and interactions. Biopolyelectrolyte complexes (BioPECs) were made between the homopolypeptides poly-l-arginine (PLR) and poly-l-lysine (PLK) with sodium triphosphate (STPP), as well as from polypeptide-only combinations. Viscoelastic measurements on these high salt bridge density materials showed many were solid, even glassy, in nature. Although the polypeptide-phosphate complexes had similar moduli at room temperature, the PLR-STPP complex displayed an unusual melting event above 70 °C not seen in PLK-STPP. This event was supported with differential scanning calorimetry. Infrared spectroscopy showed the PLK-STPP system contained β-sheets, while PLR-STPP did not. Stoichiometric, macroscopic BioPECs of PLR and PLK with poly-l-aspartic acid (PLD) and poly-l-glutamic acid (PLE) were made. PLR-PLD was found to undergo a melting event similar to that in PLR-STPP. ATR-FTIR studies showed that BioPECs made with PLD do not contain β-sheets, while those composed of PLE do. This work illustrates an expanded palette of unique properties from these biomaterials, such as strong viscoelastic differences between PECs containing PLE and PLD, even though they differ by only one carbon on the side chain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A Digby
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, United States
| | - Yuhui Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, United States
| | - Khalil Akkaoui
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, United States
| | - Joseph B Schlenoff
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, United States
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Chen M, Liu G, Zhang M, Li Y, Hong X, Yang H. Programmatically Dynamic Microcompartmentation in Coacervate-in-Pickering Emulsion Protocell. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2206437. [PMID: 36564366 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The desire for exploration of cellular functional mechanisms has substantially increased the rapid development of artificial cells. However, the construction of synthetic cells with high organizational complexity remains challenging due to the lack of facile approaches ensuring dynamic multi-compartments of cytoplasm and stability of membranes in protocells. Herein, a stable coacervate-in-Pickering emulsion protocell model comprising a membraneless coacervate phase formed by poly-l-lysine (PLys) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) encapsulated in Pickering emulsion is put forward only through simple one-step emulsification. The dynamic distribution of intracellular components (coacervates in this protocell model) can be manipulated by changes in temperature or pH. This coacervate-in-Pickering emulsion protocell system exhibits repeatable cycle stability in response to external stimuli (at least 24 cycles for temperature and 3 cycles for pH). By encapsulating antagonistic enzymes into coacervates, glucose oxidase (GOx) and urease as an example, the control of local enzyme concentration is achieved by introducing glucose and urea to adjust the pH value in Pickering emulsion droplets. This hybrid protocell model with programmatically dynamic microcompartmentation and sufficient stability is expected to be further studied and applied in cellular biology, facilitating the development of lifelike systems with potential in practical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengqing Chen
- College of Chemistry and Molecule Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Guoliang Liu
- College of Chemistry and Molecule Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Yanyan Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Xinlin Hong
- College of Chemistry and Molecule Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Hengquan Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Chowdhuri S, Das S, Kushwaha R, Das T, Das BK, Das D. Cumulative Effect of pH and Redox Triggers on Highly Adaptive Transient Coacervates. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202203820. [PMID: 36786201 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202203820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
An intricate synergism between multiple biochemical processes and physical conditions determines the formation and function of various biological self-assemblies. Thus, a complex set of variables dictate the far-from-equilibrium nature of these biological assemblies. Mimicking such systems synthetically is a challenging task. We report multi-stimuli responsive transient coacervation of an aldehyde-appended polymer and a short peptide. The coacervates are formed by the disulphide linkages between the peptide molecules and the imine bond between the polymer and the peptide. Imines are susceptible to pH changes and the disulphide bonds can be tuned by oxidation/reduction processes. Thus, the coacervation is operational only under the combined effect of appropriate pH and oxidative conditions. Taking advantage of these facts, the coacervates are transiently formed under a pH cycle (urea-urease/gluconolactone) and a non-equilibrium redox cycle (TCEP/H2 O2 ). Importantly, the system showed high adaptability toward environmental changes. The transient existence of the coacervates can be generated without any apparent change in size and shape within the same system through the sequential application of the above-mentioned nonequilibrium reaction cycles. Additionally, the coacervation allows for efficient encapsulation/stabilisation of proteins. Thus, the system has the potential to be used for protein/drug delivery purposes in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Chowdhuri
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Saurav Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Ritvika Kushwaha
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Tanushree Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Basab Kanti Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Debapratim Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ascani M, Sadowski G, Held C. Simultaneous Predictions of Chemical and Phase Equilibria in Systems with an Esterification Reaction Using PC-SAFT. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041768. [PMID: 36838768 PMCID: PMC9965742 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of chemical reactions in multiple liquid phase systems is becoming more and more relevant in industry and academia. The ability to predict combined chemical and phase equilibria is interesting from a scientific point of view but is also crucial to design innovative separation processes. In this work, an algorithm to perform the combined chemical and liquid-liquid phase equilibrium calculation was implemented in the PC-SAFT framework in order to predict the thermodynamic equilibrium behavior of two multicomponent esterification systems. Esterification reactions involve hydrophobic reacting agents and water, which might cause liquid-liquid phase separation along the reaction coordinate, especially if long-chain alcoholic reactants are used. As test systems, the two quaternary esterification systems starting from the reactants acetic acid + 1-pentanol and from the reactants acetic acid + 1-hexanol were chosen. It is known that both quaternary systems exhibit composition regions of overlapped chemical and liquid-liquid equilibrium. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that PC-SAFT was used to calculate simultaneous chemical and liquid-liquid equilibria. All the binary subsystems were studied prior to evaluating the predictive capability of PC-SAFT toward the simultaneous chemical equilibria and phase equilibria. Overall, PC-SAFT proved its excellent capabilities toward predicting chemical equilibrium composition in the homogeneous composition range of the investigated systems as well as liquid-liquid phase behavior. This study highlights the potential of a physical sound model to perform thermodynamic-based modeling of chemical reacting systems undergoing liquid-liquid phase separation.
Collapse
|
31
|
Jobdeedamrong A, Cao S, Harley I, Crespy D, Landfester K, Caire da Silva L. Assembly of biomimetic microreactors using caged-coacervate droplets. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:2561-2566. [PMID: 36601867 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05101j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Complex coacervates are liquid-like droplets that can be used to create adaptive cell-like compartments. These compartments offer a versatile platform for the construction of bioreactors inspired by living cells. However, the lack of a membrane significantly reduces the colloidal stability of coacervates in terms of fusion and surface wetting, which limits their suitability as compartments. Here, we describe the formation of caged-coacervates surrounded by a semipermeable shell of silica nanocapsules. We demonstrate that the silica nanocapsules create a protective shell that also regulates the molecular transport of water-soluble compounds as a function of nanocapasule size. The adjustable semipermeability and intrinsic affinity of enzymes for the interior of the caged-coacervates allowed us to assemble biomimetic microreactors with enhanced colloidal stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arjaree Jobdeedamrong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Rayong 21210, Thailand
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Polymers, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Shoupeng Cao
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Polymers, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Iain Harley
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Polymers, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Daniel Crespy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Rayong 21210, Thailand
| | - Katharina Landfester
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Polymers, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Lucas Caire da Silva
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Polymers, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Lipiński WP, Visser BS, Robu I, Fakhree MAA, Lindhoud S, Claessens MMAE, Spruijt E. Biomolecular condensates can both accelerate and suppress aggregation of α-synuclein. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabq6495. [PMID: 36459561 PMCID: PMC10942789 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq6495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates present in cells can fundamentally affect the aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins and play a role in the regulation of this process. While liquid-liquid phase separation of amyloidogenic proteins by themselves can act as an alternative nucleation pathway, interaction of partly disordered aggregation-prone proteins with preexisting condensates that act as localization centers could be a far more general mechanism of altering their aggregation behavior. Here, we show that so-called host biomolecular condensates can both accelerate and slow down amyloid formation. We study the amyloidogenic protein α-synuclein and two truncated α-synuclein variants in the presence of three types of condensates composed of nonaggregating peptides, RNA, or ATP. Our results demonstrate that condensates can markedly speed up amyloid formation when proteins localize to their interface. However, condensates can also significantly suppress aggregation by sequestering and stabilizing amyloidogenic proteins, thereby providing living cells with a possible protection mechanism against amyloid formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech P. Lipiński
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Brent S. Visser
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Irina Robu
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Mohammad A. A. Fakhree
- Nanobiophysics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Saskia Lindhoud
- Department of Molecules and Materials, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Mireille M. A. E. Claessens
- Nanobiophysics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Donau C, Boekhoven J. The chemistry of chemically fueled droplets. TRENDS IN CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trechm.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
34
|
Liu W, Samanta A, Deng J, Akintayo CO, Walther A. Mechanistic Insights into the Phase Separation Behavior and Pathway-Directed Information Exchange in all-DNA Droplets. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202208951. [PMID: 36112754 PMCID: PMC9828218 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202208951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation provides a versatile approach to fabricating cell-mimicking coacervates. Recently, it was discovered that phase separation of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) allows for forming protocells and microgels in multicomponent systems. However, the mechanism of the ssDNA phase separation is not comprehensively understood. Here, we present mechanistic insights into the metal-dependent phase separation of ssDNA and leverage this understanding for a straightforward formation of all-DNA droplets. Two phase separation temperatures are found that correspond to the formation of primary nuclei and a growth process. Ca2+ allows for irreversible, whereas Mg2+ leads to reversible phase separation. Capitalizing on these differences makes it possible to control the information transfer of one-component DNA droplets and two-component core-shell protocells. This study introduces new kinetic traps of phase separating ssDNA that lead to new phenomena in cell-mimicking systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of ChemistryUniversity of MainzDuesbergweg 10–1455128MainzGermany
| | - Avik Samanta
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of ChemistryUniversity of MainzDuesbergweg 10–1455128MainzGermany
| | - Jie Deng
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of ChemistryUniversity of MainzDuesbergweg 10–1455128MainzGermany,Present address: Department of Cancer BiologyDana-Farber Cancer Institute and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired EngineeringHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA 02115USA
| | - Cecilia Oluwadunsin Akintayo
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of ChemistryUniversity of MainzDuesbergweg 10–1455128MainzGermany,Cluster of Excellence livMatS @ FIT—Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired TechnologiesUniversity of FreiburgGeorges-Köhler-Allee 10579110FreiburgGermany
| | - Andreas Walther
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of ChemistryUniversity of MainzDuesbergweg 10–1455128MainzGermany,Cluster of Excellence livMatS @ FIT—Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired TechnologiesUniversity of FreiburgGeorges-Köhler-Allee 10579110FreiburgGermany
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Bauermann J, Laha S, McCall PM, Jülicher F, Weber CA. Chemical Kinetics and Mass Action in Coexisting Phases. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:19294-19304. [PMID: 36241174 PMCID: PMC9620980 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c06265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The kinetics of chemical reactions are determined by the law of mass action, which has been successfully applied to homogeneous, dilute mixtures. At nondilute conditions, interactions among the components can give rise to coexisting phases, which can significantly alter the kinetics of chemical reactions. Here, we derive a theory for chemical reactions in coexisting phases at phase equilibrium. We show that phase equilibrium couples the rates of chemical reactions of components with their diffusive exchanges between the phases. Strikingly, the chemical relaxation kinetics can be represented as a flow along the phase equilibrium line in the phase diagram. A key finding of our theory is that differences in reaction rates between coexisting phases stem solely from phase-dependent reaction rate coefficients. Our theory is key to interpreting how concentration levels of reactive components in condensed phases control chemical reaction rates in synthetic and biological systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Bauermann
- Max
Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Strasse 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Center
for Systems Biology Dresden, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sudarshana Laha
- Max
Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Strasse 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Center
for Systems Biology Dresden, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Patrick M. McCall
- Max
Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Strasse 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Center
for Systems Biology Dresden, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Max
Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Frank Jülicher
- Max
Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Strasse 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Center
for Systems Biology Dresden, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Cluster
of Excellence Physics of Life, TU Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Christoph A. Weber
- Faculty
of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Materials Engineering: Institute
of Physics, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstr. 1, 86159 Augsburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Slootbeek AD, van Haren MHI, Smokers IBA, Spruijt E. Growth, replication and division enable evolution of coacervate protocells. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:11183-11200. [PMID: 36128910 PMCID: PMC9536485 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc03541c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Living and proliferating cells undergo repeated cycles of growth, replication and division, all orchestrated by complex molecular networks. How a minimal cell cycle emerged and helped primitive cells to evolve remains one of the biggest mysteries in modern science, and is an active area of research in chemistry. Protocells are cell-like compartments that recapitulate features of living cells and may be seen as the chemical ancestors of modern life. While compartmentalization is not strictly required for primitive, open-ended evolution of self-replicating systems, it gives such systems a clear identity by setting the boundaries and it can help them overcome three major obstacles of dilution, parasitism and compatibility. Compartmentalization is therefore widely considered to be a central hallmark of primitive life, and various types of protocells are actively investigated, with the ultimate goal of developing a protocell capable of autonomous proliferation by mimicking the well-known cell cycle of growth, replication and division. We and others have found that coacervates are promising protocell candidates in which chemical building blocks required for life are naturally concentrated, and chemical reactions can be selectively enhanced or suppressed. This feature article provides an overview of how growth, replication and division can be realized with coacervates as protocells and what the bottlenecks are. Considerations are given for designing chemical networks in coacervates that can lead to sustained growth, selective replication and controlled division, in a way that they are linked together like in the cell cycle. Ultimately, such a system may undergo evolution by natural selection of certain phenotypes, leading to adaptation and the gain of new functions, and we end with a brief discussion of the opportunities for coacervates to facilitate this.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annemiek D Slootbeek
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Merlijn H I van Haren
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Iris B A Smokers
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Nguindjel ADC, de Visser PJ, Winkens M, Korevaar PA. Spatial programming of self-organizing chemical systems using sustained physicochemical gradients from reaction, diffusion and hydrodynamics. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:23980-24001. [PMID: 36172850 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp02542f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Living organisms employ chemical self-organization to build structures, and inspire new strategies to design synthetic systems that spontaneously take a particular form, via a combination of integrated chemical reactions, assembly pathways and physicochemical processes. However, spatial programmability that is required to direct such self-organization is a challenge to control. Thermodynamic equilibrium typically brings about a homogeneous solution, or equilibrium structures such as supramolecular complexes and crystals. This perspective addresses out-of-equilibrium gradients that can be driven by coupling chemical reaction, diffusion and hydrodynamics, and provide spatial differentiation in the self-organization of molecular, ionic or colloidal building blocks in solution. These physicochemical gradients are required to (1) direct the organization from the starting conditions (e.g. a homogeneous solution), and (2) sustain the organization, to prevent it from decaying towards thermodynamic equilibrium. We highlight four different concepts that can be used as a design principle to establish such self-organization, using chemical reactions as a driving force to sustain the gradient and, ultimately, program the characteristics of the gradient: (1) reaction-diffusion coupling; (2) reaction-convection; (3) the Marangoni effect and (4) diffusiophoresis. Furthermore, we outline their potential as attractive pathways to translate chemical reactions and molecular/colloidal assembly into organization of patterns in solution, (dynamic) self-assembled architectures and collectively moving swarms at the micro-, meso- and macroscale, exemplified by recent demonstrations in the literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pieter J de Visser
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Mitch Winkens
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Peter A Korevaar
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Living material assembly of bacteriogenic protocells. Nature 2022; 609:1029-1037. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05223-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
39
|
Seo H, Lee H. Spatiotemporal control of signal-driven enzymatic reaction in artificial cell-like polymersomes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5179. [PMID: 36056018 PMCID: PMC9440086 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32889-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Living cells can spatiotemporally control biochemical reactions to dynamically assemble membraneless organelles and remodel cytoskeleton. Herein, we present a microfluidic approach to prepare semi-permeable polymersomes comprising of amphiphilic triblock copolymer to achieve external signal-driven complex coacervation as well as biophysical reconstitution of cytoskeleton within the polymersomes. We also show that the microfluidic synthesis of polymersomes enables precise control over size, efficient encapsulation of enzymes as well as regulation of substrates without the use of biopores. Moreover, we demonstrate that the resulting triblock copolymer-based membrane in polymersomes is size-selective, allowing phosphoenol pyruvate to readily diffuse through the membrane and induce enzymatic reaction and successive coacervation or actin polymerization in the presence of pyruvate kinase and adenosine diphosphate inside the polymersomes. We envision that the Pluronic-based polymersomes presented in this work will shed light in the design of in vitro enzymatic reactions in artificial cell-like vesicles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanjin Seo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyomin Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Kubota R, Torigoe S, Hamachi I. Temporal Stimulus Patterns Drive Differentiation of a Synthetic Dipeptide-Based Coacervate. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:15155-15164. [PMID: 35943765 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c05101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The fate of living cells often depends on their processing of temporally modulated information, such as the frequency and duration of various signals. Synthetic stimulus-responsive systems have been intensely studied for >50 years, but it is still challenging for chemists to create artificial systems that can decode dynamically oscillating stimuli and alter the systems' properties/functions because of the lack of sophisticated reaction networks that are comparable with biological signal transduction. Here, we report morphological differentiation of synthetic dipeptide-based coacervates in response to temporally distinct patterns of the light pulse. We designed a simple cationic diphenylalanine peptide derivative to enable the formation of coacervates. The coacervates concentrated an anionic methacrylate monomer and a photoinitiator, which provided a unique reaction environment and facilitated light-triggered radical polymerization─even in air. Pulsed light irradiation at 9.0 Hz (but not at 0.5 Hz) afforded anionic polymers. This dependence on the light pulse patterns is attributable to the competition of reactive radical intermediates between the methacrylate monomer and molecular oxygen. The temporal pulse pattern-dependent polymer formation enabled the coacervates to differentiate in terms of morphology and internal viscosity, with an ultrasensitive switch-like mode. Our achievements will facilitate the rational design of smart supramolecular soft materials and are insightful regarding the synthesis of sophisticated chemical cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryou Kubota
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo̅-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Shogo Torigoe
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo̅-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Itaru Hamachi
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo̅-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan.,JST-ERATO, Hamachi Innovative Molecular Technology for Neuroscience, Katsura, Nishikyo̅-ku, Kyoto 615-8530, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Zwicker D. The intertwined physics of active chemical reactions and phase separation. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2022.101606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
42
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Sharko A, Livitz D, De Piccoli S, Bishop KJM, Hermans TM. Insights into Chemically Fueled Supramolecular Polymers. Chem Rev 2022; 122:11759-11777. [PMID: 35674495 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Supramolecular polymerization can be controlled in space and time by chemical fuels. A nonassembled monomer is activated by the fuel and subsequently self-assembles into a polymer. Deactivation of the molecule either in solution or inside the polymer leads to disassembly. Whereas biology has already mastered this approach, fully artificial examples have only appeared in the past decade. Here, we map the available literature examples into four distinct regimes depending on their activation/deactivation rates and the equivalents of deactivating fuel. We present increasingly complex mathematical models, first considering only the chemical activation/deactivation rates (i.e., transient activation) and later including the full details of the isodesmic or cooperative supramolecular processes (i.e., transient self-assembly). We finish by showing that sustained oscillations are possible in chemically fueled cooperative supramolecular polymerization and provide mechanistic insights. We hope our models encourage the quantification of activation, deactivation, assembly, and disassembly kinetics in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitri Livitz
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | | | - Kyle J M Bishop
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Thomas M Hermans
- University of Strasbourg & CNRS, UMR7140, Strasbourg 67000, France
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Lewis RW, Klemm B, Macchione M, Eelkema R. Fuel-driven macromolecular coacervation in complex coacervate core micelles. Chem Sci 2022; 13:4533-4544. [PMID: 35656128 PMCID: PMC9019912 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc00805j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fuel-driven macromolecular coacervation is an entry into the transient formation of highly charged, responsive material phases. In this work, we used a chemical reaction network (CRN) to drive the coacervation of macromolecular species readily produced using radical polymerisation methods. The CRN enables transient quaternization of tertiary amine substrates, driven by the conversion of electron deficient allyl acetates and thiol or amine nucleophiles. By incorporating tertiary amine functionality into block copolymers, we demonstrate chemical triggered complex coacervate core micelle (C3M) assembly and disassembly. In contrast to most dynamic coacervate systems, this CRN operates at constant physiological pH without the need for complex biomolecules. By varying the allyl acetate fuel, deactivating nucleophile and reagent ratios, we achieved both sequential signal-induced C3M (dis)assembly, as well as transient non-equilibrium (dis)assembly. We expect that timed and signal-responsive control over coacervate phase formation at physiological pH will find application in nucleic acid delivery, nano reactors and protocell research. We apply an allyl acetate fuelled chemical reaction network (CRN) to control the coacervation of macromolecular species at constant physiological pH without the need for complex biomolecules.![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reece W Lewis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology Van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin Klemm
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology Van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands
| | - Mariano Macchione
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology Van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands
| | - Rienk Eelkema
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology Van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Smokers IBA, van Haren MHI, Lu T, Spruijt E. Complex coacervation and compartmentalized conversion of prebiotically relevant metabolites. CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/syst.202200004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Iris B. A. Smokers
- Radboud University Nijmegen: Radboud Universiteit Institute for Molecules and Materials NETHERLANDS
| | | | - Tiemei Lu
- Radboud University Nijmegen: Radboud Universiteit Institute for Molecules and Materials NETHERLANDS
| | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Zhou L, Koh JJ, Wu J, Fan X, Chen H, Hou X, Jiang L, Lu X, Li Z, He C. Fatty Acid-Based Coacervates as a Membrane-free Protocell Model. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:444-451. [PMID: 35138820 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Membrane-less scenarios that involve liquid-liquid phase separation (coacervation) provide clues for how protocells might emerge. Here, we report a versatile approach to construct coacervates by mixing fatty acid with biomolecule dopamine as the protocell model. The coacervate droplets are easily formed over a wide range of concentrations. The solutes with different interaction characteristics, including cationic, anionic, and hydrophobic dyes, can be well concentrated within the coacervates. In addition, reversible self-assemblies of the coacervates can be controlled by concentration, pH, temperature, salinity, and bioreaction realizing cycles between compartmentalization and noncompartmentalization. Through in situ dopamine polymerization, the stability of coacervate droplets is significantly improved, leading to higher resistance toward external factors. Therefore, the coacervates based on fatty acid and dopamine could serve as a bottom-up membrane-less protocell model that provides the links between the simple (small molecule) and complex (macromolecule) systems in the process of cell evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili Zhou
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - J Justin Koh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Jing Wu
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-03, Singapore 138634, Singapore
| | - Xiaotong Fan
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-03, Singapore 138634, Singapore
| | - Haiming Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Xunan Hou
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Lu Jiang
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-03, Singapore 138634, Singapore
| | - Xuehong Lu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Ave, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Zibiao Li
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-03, Singapore 138634, Singapore
| | - Chaobin He
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117576, Singapore.,Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-03, Singapore 138634, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Cho CJ, Niederholtmeyer H, Seo H, Bhattacharya A, Devaraj NK. Functionalizing lipid sponge droplets with DNA. CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/syst.202100045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christy J. Cho
- University of California San Diego Chemistry and Biochemistry UNITED STATES
| | - Henrike Niederholtmeyer
- Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie: Max-Planck-Institut fur terrestrische Mikrobiologie Cell-free Synthetic Biology Group Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10 35043 Marburg GERMANY
| | - Hyeonglim Seo
- University of California San Diego Chemistry and Biochemistry UNITED STATES
| | | | - Neal K. Devaraj
- University of California San Diego Chemistry and Biochemistry UNITED STATES
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
|
50
|
Ianeselli A, Tetiker D, Stein J, Kühnlein A, Mast CB, Braun D, Dora Tang TY. Non-equilibrium conditions inside rock pores drive fission, maintenance and selection of coacervate protocells. Nat Chem 2021; 14:32-39. [PMID: 34873298 PMCID: PMC8755537 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-021-00830-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Key requirements for the first cells on Earth include the ability to compartmentalize and evolve. Compartmentalization spatially localizes biomolecules from a dilute pool and an evolving cell, which, as it grows and divides, permits mixing and propagation of information to daughter cells. Complex coacervate microdroplets are excellent candidates as primordial cells with the ability to partition and concentrate molecules into their core and support primitive and complex biochemical reactions. However, the evolution of coacervate protocells by fusion, growth and fission has not yet been demonstrated. In this work, a primordial environment initiated the evolution of coacervate-based protocells. Gas bubbles inside heated rock pores perturb the coacervate protocell distribution and drive the growth, fusion, division and selection of coacervate microdroplets. Our findings provide a compelling scenario for the evolution of membrane-free coacervate microdroplets on the early Earth, induced by common gas bubbles within heated rock pores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Ianeselli
- Systems Biophysics, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, München, Germany.,Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig Maximilian University, München, Germany
| | - Damla Tetiker
- Systems Biophysics, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Julian Stein
- Systems Biophysics, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, München, Germany.,Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig Maximilian University, München, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kühnlein
- Systems Biophysics, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, München, Germany.,Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig Maximilian University, München, Germany
| | - Christof B Mast
- Systems Biophysics, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, München, Germany.,Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig Maximilian University, München, Germany
| | - Dieter Braun
- Systems Biophysics, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, München, Germany. .,Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig Maximilian University, München, Germany.
| | - T-Y Dora Tang
- Max-Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|