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Schvartzman C, Ibarboure E, Martin A, Garanger E, Mutschler A, Lecommandoux S. Protocells Featuring Membrane-Bound and Dynamic Membraneless Organelles. Biomacromolecules 2024. [PMID: 38828905 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Living cells, especially eukaryotic ones, use multicompartmentalization to regulate intra- and extracellular activities, featuring membrane-bound and membraneless organelles. These structures govern numerous biological and chemical processes spatially and temporally. Synthetic cell models, primarily utilizing lipidic and polymeric vesicles, have been developed to carry out cascade reactions within their compartments. However, these reconstructions often segregate membrane-bound and membraneless organelles, neglecting their collaborative role in cellular regulation. To address this, we propose a structural design incorporating microfluidic-produced liposomes housing synthetic membrane-bound organelles made from self-assembled poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(trimethylene carbonate) nanovesicles and synthetic membraneless organelles formed via temperature-sensitive elastin-like polypeptide phase separation. This architecture mirrors natural cellular organization, facilitating a detailed examination of the interactions for a comprehensive understanding of cellular dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Schvartzman
- Université of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Emmanuel Ibarboure
- Université of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Anouk Martin
- Université of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Elisabeth Garanger
- Université of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Angela Mutschler
- Université of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
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2
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Dimitriou P, Li J, Jamieson WD, Schneider JJ, Castell OK, Barrow DA. Manipulation of encapsulated artificial phospholipid membranes using sub-micellar lysolipid concentrations. Commun Chem 2024; 7:120. [PMID: 38824266 PMCID: PMC11144220 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01209-z] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Droplet Interface Bilayers (DIBs) constitute a commonly used model of artificial membranes for synthetic biology research applications. However, their practical use is often limited by their requirement to be surrounded by oil. Here we demonstrate in-situ bilayer manipulation of submillimeter, hydrogel-encapsulated droplet interface bilayers (eDIBs). Monolithic, Cyclic Olefin Copolymer/Nylon 3D-printed microfluidic devices facilitated the eDIB formation through high-order emulsification. By exposing the eDIB capsules to varying lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) concentrations, we investigated the interaction of lysolipids with three-dimensional DIB networks. Micellar LPC concentrations triggered the bursting of encapsulated droplet networks, while at lower concentrations the droplet network endured structural changes, precisely affecting the membrane dimensions. This chemically-mediated manipulation of enclosed, 3D-orchestrated membrane mimics, facilitates the exploration of readily accessible compartmentalized artificial cellular machinery. Collectively, the droplet-based construct can pose as a chemically responsive soft material for studying membrane mechanics, and drug delivery, by controlling the cargo release from artificial cell chassis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pantelitsa Dimitriou
- School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Queen's Buildings, Cardiff, CF24 3AA, UK.
| | - Jin Li
- School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Queen's Buildings, Cardiff, CF24 3AA, UK.
| | - William David Jamieson
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Redwood Building, Kind Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Johannes Josef Schneider
- Institute of Applied Mathematics and Physics, School of Engineering, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Technikumstr. 9, 8401, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Kieran Castell
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Redwood Building, Kind Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, UK
| | - David Anthony Barrow
- School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Queen's Buildings, Cardiff, CF24 3AA, UK
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3
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Baba K, Kamiya K. Molecular Transportation Conversion of Membrane Tension Using a Mechanosensitive Channel in Asymmetric Lipid-Protein Vesicles. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:21623-21632. [PMID: 38594642 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c02370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Giant lipid vesicles composed of a lipid bilayer form complex membrane structures and enzyme network reactions that can be used to construct well-defined artificial cell models based on microfluidic technologies and synthetic biology. As a different approach to cell-mimicking systems, we formed an asymmetric lipid-amphiphilic protein (oleosin) vesicle containing a lipid and an oleosin monolayer in the outer and inner leaflets, respectively. These asymmetric vesicles enabled the reconstitution and function of β-barrel types of membrane proteins (OmpG) and the fission of vesicles stimulated by lysophospholipids. These applications combine the advantages of the high stability of lipids and oleosin leaflets in asymmetric lipid-oleosin vesicles. In this study, to evaluate the versatility of this asymmetric lipid-oleosin vesicle, the molecular transport of the mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) with an α-helix was evaluated by changing the tension of the asymmetric vesicle membrane with lysophospholipid. A nanopore of MscL assembled as a pentamer of MscLs transports small molecules of less than 10 kDa by sensing physical stress at the lipid bilayer. The amount and maximum size of the small molecules transported via MscL in the asymmetric lipid-oleosin vesicles were compared to those in the lipid vesicles. We revealed the existence of the C- and N-terminal regions (cytoplasmic side) of MscL on the inner leaflet of the asymmetric lipid-oleosin vesicles using an insertion direction assay. Furthermore, the change in the tension of the lipid-oleosin membrane activated the proteins in these vesicles, inducing their transportation through MscL nanopores. Therefore, asymmetric lipid-oleosin vesicles containing MscL can be used as substrates to study the external environment response of complex artificial cell models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Baba
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Gunma University, 1-5-1 Tenjin-cho, Kiryu, Gunma 376-8515, Japan
| | - Koki Kamiya
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Gunma University, 1-5-1 Tenjin-cho, Kiryu, Gunma 376-8515, Japan
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4
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Hsu YY, Hwang SW, Chen SJ, Alsberg E, Liu AP. Development of mechanosensitive synthetic cells for biomedical applications. SLAS Technol 2024; 29:100095. [PMID: 37385542 DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2023.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
The ability of cells to sense and respond to their physical environment plays a fundamental role in a broad spectrum of biological processes. As one of the most essential molecular force sensors and transducers found in cell membranes, mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels can convert mechanical inputs into biochemical or electrical signals to mediate a variety of sensations. The bottom-up construction of cell-sized compartments displaying cell-like organization, behaviors, and complexity, also known as synthetic cells, has gained popularity as an experimental platform to characterize biological functions in isolation. By reconstituting MS channels in the synthetic lipid bilayers, we envision using mechanosensitive synthetic cells for several medical applications. Here, we describe three different concepts for using ultrasound, shear stress, and compressive stress as mechanical stimuli to activate drug release from mechanosensitive synthetic cells for disease treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Yu Hsu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sung-Won Hwang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Samuel J Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Eben Alsberg
- Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Departments of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Orthopaedic Surgery, and Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Allen P Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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5
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Fasciano S, Wang S. Recent advances of droplet-based microfluidics for engineering artificial cells. SLAS Technol 2024; 29:100090. [PMID: 37245659 DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2023.05.002] [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: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Artificial cells, synthetic cells, or minimal cells are microengineered cell-like structures that mimic the biological functions of cells. Artificial cells are typically biological or polymeric membranes where biologically active components, including proteins, genes, and enzymes, are encapsulated. The goal of engineering artificial cells is to build a living cell with the least amount of parts and complexity. Artificial cells hold great potential for several applications, including membrane protein interactions, gene expression, biomaterials, and drug development. It is critical to generate robust, stable artificial cells using high throughput, easy-to-control, and flexible techniques. Recently, droplet-based microfluidic techniques have shown great potential for the synthesis of vesicles and artificial cells. Here, we summarized the recent advances in droplet-based microfluidic techniques for the fabrication of vesicles and artificial cells. We first reviewed the different types of droplet-based microfluidic devices, including flow-focusing, T-junction, and coflowing. Next, we discussed the formation of multi-compartmental vesicles and artificial cells based on droplet-based microfluidics. The applications of artificial cells for studying gene expression dynamics, artificial cell-cell communications, and mechanobiology are highlighted and discussed. Finally, the current challenges and future outlook of droplet-based microfluidic methods for engineering artificial cells are discussed. This review will provide insights into scientific research in synthetic biology, microfluidic devices, membrane interactions, and mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Fasciano
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shue Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA.
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6
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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.
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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
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7
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Radhakrishnan S, Nair KS, Nandi S, Bajaj H. Engineering semi-permeable giant liposomes. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:13863-13866. [PMID: 37930322 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04039a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) with a semi-permeable nature are prerequisites for constructing synthetic cells. Here we engineer semi-permeable GUVs by the inclusion of DOTAP lipid in vesicles. Diffusion of molecules of different charge and size across GUVs are reported. Control over size-selective permeability is demonstrated by modulating the DOTAP lipid composition in different lipid systems without reconstituting membrane proteins. Such semi-permeable GUVs have immense applications for constructing synthetic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreelakshmi Radhakrishnan
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India.
| | - Karthika S Nair
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Samir Nandi
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India.
| | - Harsha Bajaj
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad 201002, India
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8
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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.
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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
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9
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Li J, Yang C, Zhang L, Li C, Xie S, Fu T, Zhang Z, Li L, Qi L, Lyu Y, Chen F, He L, Tan W. Phase Separation of DNA-Encoded Artificial Cells Boosts Signal Amplification for Biosensing. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202306691. [PMID: 37455257 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202306691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Life-like hierarchical architecture shows great potential for advancing intelligent biosensing, but modular expansion of its sensitivity and functionality remains a challenge. Drawing inspiration from intracellular liquid-liquid phase separation, we discovered that a DNA-encoded artificial cell with a liquid core (LAC) can enhance peroxidase-like activity of Hemin and its DNA G-quadruplex aptamer complex (DGAH) without substrate-selectivity, unlike its gelled core (GAC) counterpart. The LAC is easily engineered as an ultrasensitive biosensing system, benefiting from DNA's high programmability and unique signal amplification capability mediated by liquid-liquid phase separation. As proof of concept, its versatility was successfully demonstrated by coupling with two molecular recognition elements to monitor tumor-related microRNA and profile cancer cell phenotypes. This scalable design philosophy offers new insights into the design of next generation of artificial cells-based biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juncai Li
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
- Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Cai Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Lizhuan Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Chunying Li
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Sitao Xie
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Ting Fu
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Ziwen Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Longjie Li
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Lubin Qi
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
- Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yifan Lyu
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Fengming Chen
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Lei He
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Weihong Tan
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
- Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
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10
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Allen ME, Hindley JW, O’Toole N, Cooke HS, Contini C, Law RV, Ces O, Elani Y. Biomimetic behaviors in hydrogel artificial cells through embedded organelles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2307772120. [PMID: 37603747 PMCID: PMC10466294 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307772120] [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: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial cells are biomimetic structures formed from molecular building blocks that replicate biological processes, behaviors, and architectures. Of these building blocks, hydrogels have emerged as ideal, yet underutilized candidates to provide a gel-like chassis in which to incorporate both biological and nonbiological componentry which enables the replication of cellular functionality. Here, we demonstrate a microfluidic strategy to assemble biocompatible cell-sized hydrogel-based artificial cells with a variety of different embedded functional subcompartments, which act as engineered synthetic organelles. The organelles enable the recreation of increasingly biomimetic behaviors, including stimulus-induced motility, content release through activation of membrane-associated proteins, and enzymatic communication with surrounding bioinspired compartments. In this way, we showcase a foundational strategy for the bottom-up construction of hydrogel-based artificial cell microsystems which replicate fundamental cellular behaviors, paving the way for the construction of next-generation biotechnological devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E. Allen
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, LondonW12 0BZ, UK
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, LondonSW7 2AZ, UK
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, LondonW12 0BZ, UK
| | - James W. Hindley
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, LondonW12 0BZ, UK
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, LondonW12 0BZ, UK
| | - Nina O’Toole
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, LondonSW7 2AZ, UK
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, LondonW12 0BZ, UK
| | - Hannah S. Cooke
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, LondonW12 0BZ, UK
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, LondonSW7 2AZ, UK
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, LondonW12 0BZ, UK
| | - Claudia Contini
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, LondonSW7 2AZ, UK
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, LondonW12 0BZ, UK
| | - Robert V. Law
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, LondonW12 0BZ, UK
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, LondonW12 0BZ, UK
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, LondonW12 0BZ, UK
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, LondonW12 0BZ, UK
| | - Yuval Elani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, LondonSW7 2AZ, UK
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, LondonW12 0BZ, UK
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11
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Bartelds MW, García-Blay Ó, Verhagen PGA, Wubbolts EJ, van Sluijs B, Heus HA, de Greef TFA, Huck WTS, Hansen MMK. Noise Minimization in Cell-Free Gene Expression. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:2217-2225. [PMID: 37478000 PMCID: PMC10443034 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00174] [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: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Biochemical reactions that involve small numbers of molecules are accompanied by a degree of inherent randomness that results in noisy reaction outcomes. In synthetic biology, the ability to minimize noise particularly during the reconstitution of future synthetic protocells is an outstanding challenge to secure robust and reproducible behavior. Here we show that by encapsulation of a bacterial cell-free gene expression system in water-in-oil droplets, in vitro-synthesized MazF reduces cell-free gene expression noise >2-fold. With stochastic simulations we identify that this noise minimization acts through both increased degradation and the autoregulatory feedback of MazF. Specifically, we find that the expression of MazF enhances the degradation rate of mRNA up to 18-fold in a sequence-dependent manner. This sequence specificity of MazF would allow targeted noise control, making it ideal to integrate into synthetic gene networks. Therefore, including MazF production in synthetic biology can significantly minimize gene expression noise, impacting future design principles of more complex cell-free gene circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mart W. Bartelds
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Óscar García-Blay
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter G. A. Verhagen
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elise J. Wubbolts
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bob van Sluijs
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans A. Heus
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom F. A. de Greef
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory
of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven
University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Computational
Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology,
P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Center
for Living Technologies, Eindhoven-Wageningen-Utrecht
Alliance, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Wilhelm T. S. Huck
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maike M. K. Hansen
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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12
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Fumadó Navarro J, Lomora M. Mechanoresponsive Drug Delivery Systems for Vascular Diseases. Macromol Biosci 2023; 23:e2200466. [PMID: 36670512 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200466] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Mechanoresponsive drug delivery systems (DDS) have emerged as promising candidates to improve the current effectiveness and lower the side effects typically associated with direct drug administration in the context of vascular diseases. Despite tremendous research efforts to date, designing drug delivery systems able to respond to mechanical stimuli to potentially treat these diseases is still in its infancy. By understanding relevant biological forces emerging in healthy and pathological vascular endothelium, it is believed that better-informed design strategies can be deduced for the fabrication of simple-to-complex macromolecular assemblies capable of sensing mechanical forces. These responsive systems are discussed through insights into essential parameter design (composition, size, shape, and aggregation state) , as well as their functionalization with (macro)molecules that are intrinsically mechanoresponsive (e.g., mechanosensitive ion channels and mechanophores). Mechanical forces, including the pathological shear stress and exogenous stimuli (e.g., ultrasound, magnetic fields), used for the activation of mechanoresponsive DDS are also introduced, followed by in vitro and in vivo experimental models used to investigate and validate such novel therapies. Overall, this review aims to propose a fresh perspective through identified challenges and proposed solutions that could be of benefit for the further development of this exciting field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Fumadó Navarro
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 TK33, Ireland
- CÚRAM, SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, University of Galway, Upper Newcastle, Galway, H91 W2TY, Ireland
| | - Mihai Lomora
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 TK33, Ireland
- CÚRAM, SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, University of Galway, Upper Newcastle, Galway, H91 W2TY, Ireland
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13
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Nair KS, Bajaj H. Advances in giant unilamellar vesicle preparation techniques and applications. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 318:102935. [PMID: 37320960 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.102935] [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: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are versatile and promising cell-sized bio-membrane mimetic platforms. Their applications range from understanding and quantifying membrane biophysical processes to acting as elementary blocks in the bottom-up assembly of synthetic cells. Definite properties and requisite goals in GUVs are dictated by the preparation techniques critical to the success of their applications. Here, we review key advances in giant unilamellar vesicle preparation techniques and discuss their formation mechanisms. Developments in lipid hydration and emulsion techniques for GUV preparation are described. Novel microfluidic-based techniques involving lipid or surfactant-stabilized emulsions are outlined. GUV immobilization strategies are summarized, including gravity-based settling, covalent linking, and immobilization by microfluidic, electric, and magnetic barriers. Moreover, some of the key applications of GUVs as biomimetic and synthetic cell platforms during the last decade have been identified. Membrane interface processes like phase separation, membrane protein reconstitution, and membrane bending have been deciphered using GUVs. In addition, vesicles are also employed as building blocks to construct synthetic cells with defined cell-like functions comprising compartments, metabolic reactors, and abilities to grow and divide. We critically discuss the pros and cons of preparation technologies and the properties they confer to the GUVs and identify potential techniques for dedicated applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthika S Nair
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR- National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Harsha Bajaj
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR- National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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14
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Schvartzman C, Zhao H, Ibarboure E, Ibrahimova V, Garanger E, Lecommandoux S. Control of Enzyme Reactivity in Response to Osmotic Pressure Modulation Mimicking Dynamic Assembly of Intracellular Organelles. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2301856. [PMID: 37149761 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202301856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
In response to variations in osmotic stress, in particular to hypertonicity associated with biological dysregulations, cells have developed complex mechanisms to release their excess water, thus avoiding their bursting and death. When water is expelled, cells shrink and concentrate their internal bio(macro)molecular content, inducing the formation of membraneless organelles following a liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) mechanism. To mimic this intrinsic property of cells, functional thermo-responsive elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) biomacromolecular conjugates are herein encapsulated into self-assembled lipid vesicles using a microfluidic system, together with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to mimic cells' interior crowded microenvironment. By inducing a hypertonic shock onto the vesicles, expelled water induces a local increase in concentration and a concomitant decrease in the cloud point temperature (Tcp ) of ELP bioconjugates that phase separate and form coacervates mimicking cellular stress-induced membraneless organelle assemblies. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP), as a model enzyme, is bioconjugated to ELPs and is locally confined in coacervates as a response to osmotic stress. This consequently increases local HRP and substrate concentrations and accelerates the kinetics of the enzymatic reaction. These results illustrate a unique way to fine-tune enzymatic reactions dynamically as a response to a physiological change in isothermal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Schvartzman
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, Pessac, F-33600, France
| | - Hang Zhao
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, Pessac, F-33600, France
| | - Emmanuel Ibarboure
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, Pessac, F-33600, France
| | - Vusala Ibrahimova
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, Pessac, F-33600, France
| | - Elisabeth Garanger
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, Pessac, F-33600, France
| | - Sébastien Lecommandoux
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, Pessac, F-33600, France
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15
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Lin AJ, Sihorwala AZ, Belardi B. Engineering Tissue-Scale Properties with Synthetic Cells: Forging One from Many. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:1889-1907. [PMID: 37417657 PMCID: PMC11017731 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00061] [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] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
In metazoans, living cells achieve capabilities beyond individual cell functionality by assembling into multicellular tissue structures. These higher-order structures represent dynamic, heterogeneous, and responsive systems that have evolved to regenerate and coordinate their actions over large distances. Recent advances in constructing micrometer-sized vesicles, or synthetic cells, now point to a future where construction of synthetic tissue can be pursued, a boon to pressing material needs in biomedical implants, drug delivery systems, adhesives, filters, and storage devices, among others. To fully realize the potential of synthetic tissue, inspiration has been and will continue to be drawn from new molecular findings on its natural counterpart. In this review, we describe advances in introducing tissue-scale features into synthetic cell assemblies. Beyond mere complexation, synthetic cells have been fashioned with a variety of natural and engineered molecular components that serve as initial steps toward morphological control and patterning, intercellular communication, replication, and responsiveness in synthetic tissue. Particular attention has been paid to the dynamics, spatial constraints, and mechanical strengths of interactions that drive the synthesis of this next-generation material, describing how multiple synthetic cells can act as one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Ahmed Z Sihorwala
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Brian Belardi
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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16
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Rubio-Sánchez R, Mognetti BM, Cicuta P, Di Michele L. DNA-Origami Line-Actants Control Domain Organization and Fission in Synthetic Membranes. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:11265-11275. [PMID: 37163977 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c01493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Cells can precisely program the shape and lateral organization of their membranes using protein machinery. Aiming to replicate a comparable degree of control, here we introduce DNA-origami line-actants (DOLAs) as synthetic analogues of membrane-sculpting proteins. DOLAs are designed to selectively accumulate at the line-interface between coexisting domains in phase-separated lipid membranes, modulating the tendency of the domains to coalesce. With experiments and coarse-grained simulations, we demonstrate that DOLAs can reversibly stabilize two-dimensional analogues of Pickering emulsions on synthetic giant liposomes, enabling dynamic programming of membrane lateral organization. The control afforded over membrane structure by DOLAs extends to three-dimensional morphology, as exemplified by a proof-of-concept synthetic pathway leading to vesicle fission. With DOLAs we lay the foundations for mimicking, in synthetic systems, some of the critical membrane-hosted functionalities of biological cells, including signaling, trafficking, sensing, and division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Rubio-Sánchez
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
- fabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Bortolo Matteo Mognetti
- Interdisciplinary Center for Nonlinear Phenomena and Complex Systems, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Campus Plaine, CP 231, Boulevard du Triomphe, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenzo Di Michele
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
- fabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
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17
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Peruzzi JA, Galvez NR, Kamat NP. Engineering transmembrane signal transduction in synthetic membranes using two-component systems. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2218610120. [PMID: 37126679 PMCID: PMC10175788 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2218610120] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells use signal transduction across their membranes to sense and respond to a wide array of chemical and physical signals. Creating synthetic systems which can harness cellular signaling modalities promises to provide a powerful platform for biosensing and therapeutic applications. As a first step toward this goal, we investigated how bacterial two-component systems (TCSs) can be leveraged to enable transmembrane-signaling with synthetic membranes. Specifically, we demonstrate that a bacterial two-component nitrate-sensing system (NarX-NarL) can be reproduced outside of a cell using synthetic membranes and cell-free protein expression systems. We find that performance and sensitivity of the TCS can be tuned by altering the biophysical properties of the membrane in which the histidine kinase (NarX) is integrated. Through protein engineering efforts, we modify the sensing domain of NarX to generate sensors capable of detecting an array of ligands. Finally, we demonstrate that these systems can sense ligands in relevant sample environments. By leveraging membrane and protein design, this work helps reveal how transmembrane sensing can be recapitulated outside of the cell, adding to the arsenal of deployable cell-free systems primed for real world biosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin A. Peruzzi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
| | - Nina R. Galvez
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
| | - Neha P. Kamat
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
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18
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Tapie P, Prevost AM, Montel L, Pontani LL, Wandersman E. A simple method to make, trap and deform a vesicle in a gel. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5375. [PMID: 37009808 PMCID: PMC10068607 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31996-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a simple method to produce giant lipid pseudo-vesicles (vesicles with an oily cap on the top), trapped in an agarose gel. The method can be implemented using only a regular micropipette and relies on the formation of a water/oil/water double droplet in liquid agarose. We characterize the produced vesicle with fluorescence imaging and establish the presence and integrity of the lipid bilayer by the successful insertion of [Formula: see text]-Hemolysin transmembrane proteins. Finally, we show that the vesicle can be easily mechanically deformed, non-intrusively, by indenting the surface of the gel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Tapie
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire Jean Perrin (LJP), 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Alexis M Prevost
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire Jean Perrin (LJP), 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Lorraine Montel
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire Jean Perrin (LJP), 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Léa-Laetitia Pontani
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire Jean Perrin (LJP), 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France.
| | - Elie Wandersman
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire Jean Perrin (LJP), 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France.
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19
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Li H, Yan Y, Chen J, Shi K, Song C, Ji Y, Jia L, Li J, Qiao Y, Lin Y. Artificial receptor-mediated phototransduction toward protocellular subcompartmentalization and signaling-encoded logic gates. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade5853. [PMID: 36857444 PMCID: PMC9977178 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade5853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Engineering artificial cellular systems capable of perceiving and transmitting external signals across membranes to activate downstream targets and coordinate protocellular responses is key to build cell-cell communications and protolife. Here, we report a synthetic photoreceptor-mediated signaling pathway with the integration of light harvesting, photo-to-chemical energy conversion, signal transmission, and amplification in synthetic cells, which ultimately resulted in protocell subcompartmentalization. Key to our design is a ruthenium-bipyridine complex that acts as a membrane-anchored photoreceptor to convert visible light into chemical information and transduce signals across the lipid membrane via flip-flop motion. By coupling receptor-mediated phototransduction with biological recognition and enzymatic cascade reactions, we further develop protocell signaling-encoded Boolean logic gates. Our results illustrate a minimal cell model to mimic the photoreceptor cells that can transduce the energy of light into intracellular responses and pave the way to modular control over the flow of information for complex metabolic and signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yue Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ke Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Chuwen Song
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yanglimin Ji
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liyan Jia
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianming Li
- Research Center of New Energy, Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development (RIPED), PetroChina, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yan Qiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yiyang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
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20
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Heidari A, Sentürk OI, Yang S, Joesaar A, Gobbo P, Mann S, de Greef TFA, Wegner SV. Orthogonal Light-Dependent Membrane Adhesion Induces Social Self-Sorting and Member-Specific DNA Communication in Synthetic Cell Communities. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2206474. [PMID: 36599623 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206474] [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: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Developing orthogonal chemical communication pathways in diverse synthetic cell communities is a considerable challenge due to the increased crosstalk and interference associated with large numbers of different types of sender-receiver pairs. Herein, the authors control which sender-receiver pairs communicate in a three-membered community of synthetic cells through red and blue light illumination. Semipermeable protein-polymer-based synthetic cells (proteinosomes) with complementary membrane-attached protein adhesion communicate through single-stranded DNA oligomers and synergistically process biochemical information within a community consisting of one sender and two different receiver populations. Different pairs of red and blue light-responsive protein-protein interactions act as membrane adhesion mediators between the sender and receivers such that they self-assemble and socially self-sort into different multicellular structures under red and blue light. Consequently, distinct sender-receiver pairs come into the signaling range depending on the light illumination and are able to communicate specifically without activation of the other receiver population. Overall, this work shows how photoswitchable membrane adhesion gives rise to different self-sorting protocell patterns that mediate member-specific DNA-based communication in ternary populations of synthetic cells and provides a step towards the design of orthogonal chemical communication networks in diverse communities of synthetic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Heidari
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry University of Münster, Waldeyerstr. 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Oya I Sentürk
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Polymers, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Shuo Yang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Alex Joesaar
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Pierangelo Gobbo
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, 34127, Italy
| | - Stephen Mann
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Tom F A de Greef
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Seraphine V Wegner
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry University of Münster, Waldeyerstr. 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
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21
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Yang B, Li S, Mu W, Wang Z, Han X. Light-Harvesting Artificial Cells Containing Cyanobacteria for CO 2 Fixation and Further Metabolism Mimicking. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2201305. [PMID: 35905491 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202201305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The bottom-up constructed artificial cells help to understand the cell working mechanism and provide the evolution clues for organisms. The energy supply and metabolism mimicry are the key issues in the field of artificial cells. Herein, an artificial cell containing cyanobacteria capable of light harvesting and carbon dioxide fixation is demonstrated to produce glucose molecules by converting light energy into chemical energy. Two downstream "metabolic" pathways starting from glucose molecules are investigated. One involves enzyme cascade reaction to produce H2 O2 (assisted by glucose oxidase) first, followed by converting Amplex red to resorufin (assisted by horseradish peroxidase). The other pathway is more biologically relevant. Glucose molecules are dehydrogenated to transfer hydrogens to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+ ) for the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride (NADH) molecules in the presence of glucose dehydrogenase. Further, NADH molecules are oxidized into NAD+ by pyruvate catalyzed by lactate dehydrogenase, meanwhile, lactate is obtained. Therefore, the cascade cycling of NADH/NAD+ is built. The artificial cells built here pave the way for investigating more complicated energy-supplied metabolism inside artificial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Da-Zhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Shubin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Da-Zhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Wei Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Da-Zhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Zhao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Da-Zhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xiaojun Han
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Da-Zhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
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22
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Cell-sized asymmetric phospholipid-amphiphilic protein vesicles with growth, fission, and molecule transportation. iScience 2023; 26:106086. [PMID: 36843838 PMCID: PMC9950948 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid vesicles, which mimic cell membranes in structure and components, have been used to study the origin of life and artificial cell construction. A different approach to developing cell-mimicking systems focuses on the formation of protein- or polypeptide-based vesicles. However, micro-sized protein vesicles that are similar in membrane dynamics to the cell and that reconstitute membrane proteins are difficult to form. In this study, we generated cell-sized asymmetric phospholipid-amphiphilic protein (oleosin) vesicles that allow the reconstitution of membrane proteins and the growth and fission of vesicles. These vesicles are composed of a lipid membrane on the outer leaflet and an oleosin membrane on the inner leaflet. Further, we elucidated a mechanism for the growth and fission of cell-sized asymmetric phospholipid-oleosin vesicles by feeding phospholipid micelles. Our asymmetric phospholipid-oleosin vesicles with the advantages of the lipid leaflet and the protein leaflet will potentially promote understanding of biochemistry and synthetic biology.
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23
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Zong W, Shao X, Li J, Chai Y, Hu X, Zhang X. Synthetic Intracellular Environments: From Basic Science to Applications. Anal Chem 2023; 95:535-549. [PMID: 36625127 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zong
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, No. 42 Wenhua Street, Qiqihar161006, China
| | - Xiaotong Shao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, No. 42 Wenhua Street, Qiqihar161006, China
| | - Jinlong Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, No. 42 Wenhua Street, Qiqihar161006, China.,Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalytic Synthesis for Fine Chemicals, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar161006, China
| | - Yunhe Chai
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, No. 42 Wenhua Street, Qiqihar161006, China
| | - Xinyu Hu
- Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Optoelectronic Devices (Wenzhou), College of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou325035, China
| | - Xunan Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, No. 42 Wenhua Street, Qiqihar161006, China
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24
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Herianto S, Chien PJ, Ho JAA, Tu HL. Liposome-based artificial cells: From gene expression to reconstitution of cellular functions and phenotypes. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2022; 142:213156. [PMID: 36302330 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Bottom-up approaches in creating artificial cells that can mimic natural cells have significant implications for both basic research and translational application. Among various artificial cell models, liposome is one of the most sophisticated systems. By encapsulating proteins and associated biomolecules, they can functionally reconstitute foundational features of biological cells, such as the ability to divide, communicate, and undergo shape deformation. Yet constructing liposome artificial cells from the genetic level, which is central to generate self-sustained systems remains highly challenging. Indeed, many studies have successfully established the expression of gene-coded proteins inside liposomes. Further, recent endeavors to build a direct integration of gene-expressed proteins for reconstituting molecular functions and phenotypes in liposomes have also significantly increased. Thus, this review presents the development of liposome-based artificial cells to demonstrate the process of gene-expressed proteins and their reconstitution to perform desired molecular and cell-like functions. The molecular and cellular phenotypes discussed here include the self-production of membrane phospholipids, division, shape deformation, self-DNA/RNA replication, fusion, and intercellular communication. Together, this review gives a comprehensive overview of gene-expressing liposomes that can stimulate further research of this technology and achieve artificial cells with superior properties in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Herianto
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Po-Jen Chien
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ja-An Annie Ho
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; BioAnalytical Chemistry and Nanobiomedicine Laboratory, Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Hsiung-Lin Tu
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
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25
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Fletcher M, Zhu J, Rubio-Sánchez R, Sandler SE, Nahas KA, Michele LD, Keyser UF, Tivony R. DNA-Based Optical Quantification of Ion Transport across Giant Vesicles. ACS NANO 2022; 16:17128-17138. [PMID: 36222833 PMCID: PMC9620405 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c07496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Accurate measurements of ion permeability through cellular membranes remains challenging due to the lack of suitable ion-selective probes. Here we use giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) as membrane models for the direct visualization of mass translocation at the single-vesicle level. Ion transport is indicated with a fluorescently adjustable DNA-based sensor that accurately detects sub-millimolar variations in K+ concentration. In combination with microfluidics, we employed our DNA-based K+ sensor for extraction of the permeation coefficient of potassium ions. We measured K+ permeability coefficients at least 1 order of magnitude larger than previously reported values from bulk experiments and show that permeation rates across the lipid bilayer increase in the presence of octanol. In addition, an analysis of the K+ flux in different concentration gradients allows us to estimate the complementary H+ flux that dissipates the charge imbalance across the GUV membrane. Subsequently, we show that our sensor can quantify the K+ transport across prototypical cation-selective ion channels, gramicidin A and OmpF, revealing their relative H+/K+ selectivity. Our results show that gramicidin A is much more selective to protons than OmpF with a H+/K+ permeability ratio of ∼104.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Fletcher
- Cavendish
Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, CambridgeCB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Jinbo Zhu
- Cavendish
Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, CambridgeCB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Roger Rubio-Sánchez
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, LondonW12 0BZ, U.K.
- fabriCELL,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial
College London, LondonW12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Sarah E Sandler
- Cavendish
Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, CambridgeCB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Kareem Al Nahas
- Cavendish
Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, CambridgeCB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Lorenzo Di Michele
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, LondonW12 0BZ, U.K.
- fabriCELL,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial
College London, LondonW12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Ulrich F Keyser
- Cavendish
Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, CambridgeCB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Ran Tivony
- Cavendish
Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, CambridgeCB3 0HE, U.K.
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26
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Takamori S, Cicuta P, Takeuchi S, Di Michele L. DNA-assisted selective electrofusion (DASE) of Escherichia coli and giant lipid vesicles. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:14255-14267. [PMID: 36129323 PMCID: PMC9536516 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr03105a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology and cellular engineering require chemical and physical alterations, which are typically achieved by fusing target cells with each other or with payload-carrying vectors. On one hand, electrofusion can efficiently induce the merging of biological cells and/or synthetic analogues via the application of intense DC pulses, but it lacks selectivity and often leads to uncontrolled fusion. On the other hand, synthetic DNA-based constructs, inspired by natural fusogenic proteins, have been shown to induce a selective fusion between membranes, albeit with low efficiency. Here we introduce DNA-assisted selective electrofusion (DASE) which relies on membrane-anchored DNA constructs to bring together the objects one seeks to merge, and applying an electric impulse to trigger their fusion. The DASE process combines the efficiency of standard electrofusion and the selectivity of fusogenic nanostructures, as we demonstrate by inducing and characterizing the fusion of spheroplasts derived from Escherichia coli bacteria with cargo-carrying giant lipid vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Takamori
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-0012, Japan
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.
| | - Shoji Takeuchi
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-0012, Japan
- Department of Mechano-Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Lorenzo Di Michele
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK.
- fabriCELL, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
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27
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Hirschi S, Ward TR, Meier WP, Müller DJ, Fotiadis D. Synthetic Biology: Bottom-Up Assembly of Molecular Systems. Chem Rev 2022; 122:16294-16328. [PMID: 36179355 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The bottom-up assembly of biological and chemical components opens exciting opportunities to engineer artificial vesicular systems for applications with previously unmet requirements. The modular combination of scaffolds and functional building blocks enables the engineering of complex systems with biomimetic or new-to-nature functionalities. Inspired by the compartmentalized organization of cells and organelles, lipid or polymer vesicles are widely used as model membrane systems to investigate the translocation of solutes and the transduction of signals by membrane proteins. The bottom-up assembly and functionalization of such artificial compartments enables full control over their composition and can thus provide specifically optimized environments for synthetic biological processes. This review aims to inspire future endeavors by providing a diverse toolbox of molecular modules, engineering methodologies, and different approaches to assemble artificial vesicular systems. Important technical and practical aspects are addressed and selected applications are presented, highlighting particular achievements and limitations of the bottom-up approach. Complementing the cutting-edge technological achievements, fundamental aspects are also discussed to cater to the inherently diverse background of the target audience, which results from the interdisciplinary nature of synthetic biology. The engineering of proteins as functional modules and the use of lipids and block copolymers as scaffold modules for the assembly of functionalized vesicular systems are explored in detail. Particular emphasis is placed on ensuring the controlled assembly of these components into increasingly complex vesicular systems. Finally, all descriptions are presented in the greater context of engineering valuable synthetic biological systems for applications in biocatalysis, biosensing, bioremediation, or targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Hirschi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.,Molecular Systems Engineering, National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas R Ward
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St. Johanns-Ring 19, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.,Molecular Systems Engineering, National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang P Meier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St. Johanns-Ring 19, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.,Molecular Systems Engineering, National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel J Müller
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.,Molecular Systems Engineering, National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dimitrios Fotiadis
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.,Molecular Systems Engineering, National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), 4002 Basel, Switzerland
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28
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Abstract
![]()
AlphaFold has burst into our lives. A powerful algorithm
that underscores
the strength of biological sequence data and artificial intelligence
(AI). AlphaFold has appended projects and research directions. The
database it has been creating promises an untold number of applications
with vast potential impacts that are still difficult to surmise. AI
approaches can revolutionize personalized treatments and usher in
better-informed clinical trials. They promise to make giant leaps
toward reshaping and revamping drug discovery strategies, selecting
and prioritizing combinations of drug targets. Here, we briefly overview
AI in structural biology, including in molecular dynamics simulations
and prediction of microbiota–human protein–protein interactions.
We highlight the advancements accomplished by the deep-learning-powered
AlphaFold in protein structure prediction and their powerful impact
on the life sciences. At the same time, AlphaFold does not resolve
the decades-long protein folding challenge, nor does it identify the
folding pathways. The models that AlphaFold provides do not capture
conformational mechanisms like frustration and allostery, which are
rooted in ensembles, and controlled by their dynamic distributions.
Allostery and signaling are properties of populations. AlphaFold also
does not generate ensembles of intrinsically disordered proteins and
regions, instead describing them by their low structural probabilities.
Since AlphaFold generates single ranked structures, rather than conformational
ensembles, it cannot elucidate the mechanisms of allosteric activating
driver hotspot mutations nor of allosteric drug resistance. However,
by capturing key features, deep learning techniques can use the single
predicted conformation as the basis for generating a diverse ensemble.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Nussinov
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States.,Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Mingzhen Zhang
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Yonglan Liu
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Hyunbum Jang
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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29
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Abstract
Recent years have seen substantial efforts aimed at constructing artificial cells from various molecular components with the aim of mimicking the processes, behaviours and architectures found in biological systems. Artificial cell development ultimately aims to produce model constructs that progress our understanding of biology, as well as forming the basis for functional bio-inspired devices that can be used in fields such as therapeutic delivery, biosensing, cell therapy and bioremediation. Typically, artificial cells rely on a bilayer membrane chassis and have fluid aqueous interiors to mimic biological cells. However, a desire to more accurately replicate the gel-like properties of intracellular and extracellular biological environments has driven increasing efforts to build cell mimics based on hydrogels. This has enabled researchers to exploit some of the unique functional properties of hydrogels that have seen them deployed in fields such as tissue engineering, biomaterials and drug delivery. In this Review, we explore how hydrogels can be leveraged in the context of artificial cell development. We also discuss how hydrogels can potentially be incorporated within the next generation of artificial cells to engineer improved biological mimics and functional microsystems.
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30
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Zubaite G, Hindley JW, Ces O, Elani Y. Dynamic Reconfiguration of Subcompartment Architectures in Artificial Cells. ACS NANO 2022; 16:9389-9400. [PMID: 35695383 PMCID: PMC9245354 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c02195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Artificial cells are minimal structures constructed from biomolecular building blocks designed to mimic cellular processes, behaviors, and architectures. One near-ubiquitous feature of cellular life is the spatial organization of internal content. We know from biology that organization of content (including in membrane-bound organelles) is linked to cellular functions and that this feature is dynamic: the presence, location, and degree of compartmentalization changes over time. Vesicle-based artificial cells, however, are not currently able to mimic this fundamental cellular property. Here, we describe an artificial cell design strategy that addresses this technological bottleneck. We create a series of artificial cell architectures which possess multicompartment assemblies localized either on the inner or on the outer surface of the artificial cell membrane. Exploiting liquid-liquid phase separation, we can also engineer spatially segregated regions of condensed subcompartments attached to the cell surface, aligning with coexisting membrane domains. These structures can sense changes in environmental conditions and respond by reversibly transitioning from condensed multicompartment layers on the membrane surface to a dispersed state in the cell lumen, mimicking the dynamic compartmentalization found in biological cells. Likewise, we engineer exosome-like subcompartments that can be released to the environment. We can achieve this by using two types of triggers: chemical (addition of salts) and mechanical (by pulling membrane tethers using optical traps). These approaches allow us to control the compartmentalization state of artificial cells on population and single-cell levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Zubaite
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - James W. Hindley
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
- Institute
of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
- fabriCELL,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial
College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
- Institute
of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
- fabriCELL,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial
College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Yuval Elani
- fabriCELL,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial
College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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31
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Wang B, Lane BJ, Kapsalis C, Ault JR, Sobott F, El Mkami H, Calabrese AN, Kalli AC, Pliotas C. Pocket delipidation induced by membrane tension or modification leads to a structurally analogous mechanosensitive channel state. Structure 2022; 30:608-622.e5. [PMID: 34986323 PMCID: PMC9033278 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The mechanosensitive ion channel of large conductance MscL gates in response to membrane tension changes. Lipid removal from transmembrane pockets leads to a concerted structural and functional MscL response, but it remains unknown whether there is a correlation between the tension-mediated state and the state derived by pocket delipidation in the absence of tension. Here, we combined pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, coupled with molecular dynamics simulations under membrane tension, to investigate the structural changes associated with the distinctively derived states. Whether it is tension- or modification-mediated pocket delipidation, we find that MscL samples a similar expanded subconducting state. This is the final step of the delipidation pathway, but only an intermediate stop on the tension-mediated path, with additional tension triggering further channel opening. Our findings hint at synergistic modes of regulation by lipid molecules in membrane tension-activated mechanosensitive channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolin Wang
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Benjamin J Lane
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Charalampos Kapsalis
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - James R Ault
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Frank Sobott
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Hassane El Mkami
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9SS, UK
| | - Antonio N Calabrese
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Antreas C Kalli
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9NL, UK
| | - Christos Pliotas
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK.
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32
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Fitzgerald RC, Antoniou AC, Fruk L, Rosenfeld N. The future of early cancer detection. Nat Med 2022; 28:666-677. [PMID: 35440720 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-01746-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A proactive approach to detecting cancer at an early stage can make treatments more effective, with fewer side effects and improved long-term survival. However, as detection methods become increasingly sensitive, it can be difficult to distinguish inconsequential changes from lesions that will lead to life-threatening cancer. Progress relies on a detailed understanding of individualized risk, clear delineation of cancer development stages, a range of testing methods with optimal performance characteristics, and robust evaluation of the implications for individuals and society. In the future, advances in sensors, contrast agents, molecular methods, and artificial intelligence will help detect cancer-specific signals in real time. To reduce the burden of cancer on society, risk-based detection and prevention needs to be cost effective and widely accessible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Fitzgerald
- Early Detection Programme, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Antonis C Antoniou
- Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ljiljana Fruk
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nitzan Rosenfeld
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, UK
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33
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Lussier F, Schröter M, Diercks NJ, Jahnke K, Weber C, Frey C, Platzman I, Spatz JP. pH-Triggered Assembly of Endomembrane Multicompartments in Synthetic Cells. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:366-382. [PMID: 34889607 PMCID: PMC8787813 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
By using electrostatic interactions as driving force to assemble vesicles, the droplet-stabilized method was recently applied to reconstitute and encapsulate proteins, or compartments, inside giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) to act as minimal synthetic cells. However, the droplet-stabilized approach exhibits low production efficiency associated with the troublesome release of the GUVs from the stabilized droplets, corresponding to a major hurdle for the droplet-stabilized approach. Herein, we report the use of pH as a potential trigger to self-assemble droplet-stabilized GUVs (dsGUVs) by either bulk or droplet-based microfluidics. Moreover, pH enables the generation of compartmentalized GUVs with flexibility and robustness. By co-encapsulating pH-sensitive small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), negatively charged SUVs, and/or proteins, we show that acidification of the droplets efficiently produces dsGUVs while sequestrating the co-encapsulated material. Most importantly, the pH-mediated assembly of dsGUVs significantly improves the production efficiency of free-standing GUVs (i.e., released from the stabilizing-droplets) compared to its previous implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix Lussier
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Schröter
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nicolas J. Diercks
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kevin Jahnke
- Biophysical
Engineering Group, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Weber
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Frey
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ilia Platzman
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim P. Spatz
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute
for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Max
Planck School Matter to Life, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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34
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Cazimoglu I, Booth MJ, Bayley H. A Lipid-Based Droplet Processor for Parallel Chemical Signals. ACS NANO 2021; 15:20214-20224. [PMID: 34788543 PMCID: PMC8717631 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c08217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
A key goal of bottom-up synthetic biology is to construct cell- and tissue-like structures. Underpinning cellular life is the ability to process several external chemical signals, often in parallel. Until now, cell- and tissue-like structures have been constructed with no more than one signaling pathway. Many pathways rely on signal transport across membranes using protein nanopores. However, such systems currently suffer from the slow transport of molecules. We have optimized the application of these nanopores to permit fast molecular transport, which has allowed us to construct a processor for parallel chemical signals from the bottom up in a modular fashion. The processor comprises three aqueous droplet compartments connected by lipid bilayers and operates in an aqueous environment. It can receive two chemical signals from the external environment, process them orthogonally, and then produce a distinct output for each signal. It is suitable for both sensing and enzymatic processing of environmental signals, with fluorescence and molecular outputs. In the future, such processors could serve as smart drug delivery vehicles or as modules within synthetic tissues to control their behavior in response to external chemical signals.
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35
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Zhao H, Ibarboure E, Ibrahimova V, Xiao Y, Garanger E, Lecommandoux S. Spatiotemporal Dynamic Assembly/Disassembly of Organelle-Mimics Based on Intrinsically Disordered Protein-Polymer Conjugates. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2102508. [PMID: 34719874 PMCID: PMC8693077 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202102508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Design of reversible organelle-like microcompartments formed by liquid-liquid phase separation in cell-mimicking entities has significantly advanced the bottom-up construction of artificial eukaryotic cells. However, organizing the formation of artificial organelle architectures in a spatiotemporal manner within complex primitive compartments remains scarcely explored. In this work, thermoresponsive hybrid polypeptide-polymer conjugates are rationally engineered and synthesized, resulting from the conjugation of an intrinsically disordered synthetic protein (IDP), namely elastin-like polypeptide, and synthetic polymers (poly(ethylene glycol) and dextran) that are widely used as macromolecular crowding agents. Cell-like constructs are built using droplet-based microfluidics that are filled with such bioconjugates and an artificial cytoplasm system that is composed of specific polymers conjugated to the IDP. The distinct spatial organizations of two polypeptide-polymer conjugates and the dynamic assembly and disassembly of polypeptide-polymer coacervate droplets in response to temperature are studied in the cytomimetic protocells. Furthermore, a monoblock IDP with longer length is concurrently included with bioconjugates individually inside cytomimetic compartments. Both bioconjugates exhibit an identical surfactant-like property, compartmentalizing the monoblock IDP coacervates via temperature control. These findings lay the foundation for developing hierarchically structured synthetic cells with interior organelle-like structures which could be designed to localize in desired phase-separated subcompartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Zhao
- Univ. BordeauxCNRSBordeaux INPLCPOUMR 5629PessacF‐33600France
| | | | | | - Ye Xiao
- Univ. BordeauxCNRSBordeaux INPLCPOUMR 5629PessacF‐33600France
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36
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Rubio-Sánchez R, Fabrini G, Cicuta P, Di Michele L. Amphiphilic DNA nanostructures for bottom-up synthetic biology. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:12725-12740. [PMID: 34750602 PMCID: PMC8631003 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc04311k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
DNA nanotechnology enables the construction of sophisticated biomimetic nanomachines that are increasingly central to the growing efforts of creating complex cell-like entities from the bottom-up. DNA nanostructures have been proposed as both structural and functional elements of these artificial cells, and in many instances are decorated with hydrophobic moieties to enable interfacing with synthetic lipid bilayers or regulating bulk self-organisation. In this feature article we review recent efforts to design biomimetic membrane-anchored DNA nanostructures capable of imparting complex functionalities to cell-like objects, such as regulated adhesion, tissue formation, communication and transport. We then discuss the ability of hydrophobic modifications to enable the self-assembly of DNA-based nanostructured frameworks with prescribed morphology and functionality, and explore the relevance of these novel materials for artificial cell science and beyond. Finally, we comment on the yet mostly unexpressed potential of amphiphilic DNA-nanotechnology as a complete toolbox for bottom-up synthetic biology - a figurative and literal scaffold upon which the next generation of synthetic cells could be built.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Rubio-Sánchez
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.
- fabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Giacomo Fabrini
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
- fabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.
| | - Lorenzo Di Michele
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.
- fabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
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37
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Chen C, Wang X, Wang Y, Tian L, Cao J. Construction of protocell-based artificial signal transduction pathways. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:12754-12763. [PMID: 34755716 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc03775g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The maintenance of an orderly and controllable multicellular society depends on the communication and signal regulation between various types of biological cells. How to replicate complicated signal transduction pathways in synthetic protocellular communities remains a key challenge in bottom-up synthetic biology. Herein, we review recent advances in the design and construction of interactive protocell communities, or protocell communities and biological communities, and explore the ways of designing and constructing artificial paracrine-like signaling pathways and juxtacrine-like signaling pathways. Key molecules involved in the signaling pathways that can be used to connect two or more spatially separated communities, and diverse signal outputs generated by the communication are summarized. We also propose the limitations, challenges and opportunities in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China. .,Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Xuejing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China. .,Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Liangfei Tian
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China. .,Department of Ultrasound, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang University, 66 Dongxin Road, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Jinxuan Cao
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China. .,Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
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Sharma B, Moghimianavval H, Hwang SW, Liu AP. Synthetic Cell as a Platform for Understanding Membrane-Membrane Interactions. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:912. [PMID: 34940413 PMCID: PMC8706075 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11120912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In the pursuit of understanding life, model membranes made of phospholipids were envisaged decades ago as a platform for the bottom-up study of biological processes. Micron-sized lipid vesicles have gained great acceptance as their bilayer membrane resembles the natural cell membrane. Important biological events involving membranes, such as membrane protein insertion, membrane fusion, and intercellular communication, will be highlighted in this review with recent research updates. We will first review different lipid bilayer platforms used for incorporation of integral membrane proteins and challenges associated with their functional reconstitution. We next discuss different methods for reconstitution of membrane fusion and compare their fusion efficiency. Lastly, we will highlight the importance and challenges of intercellular communication between synthetic cells and synthetic cells-to-natural cells. We will summarize the review by highlighting the challenges and opportunities associated with studying membrane-membrane interactions and possible future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bineet Sharma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (B.S.); (H.M.)
| | - Hossein Moghimianavval
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (B.S.); (H.M.)
| | - Sung-Won Hwang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Allen P. Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (B.S.); (H.M.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
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39
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Shetty S, Yandrapalli N, Pinkwart K, Krafft D, Vidakovic-Koch T, Ivanov I, Robinson T. Directed Signaling Cascades in Monodisperse Artificial Eukaryotic Cells. ACS NANO 2021; 15:15656-15666. [PMID: 34570489 PMCID: PMC8552445 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c04219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The bottom-up assembly of multicompartment artificial cells that are able to direct biochemical reactions along a specific spatial pathway remains a considerable engineering challenge. In this work, we address this with a microfluidic platform that is able to produce monodisperse multivesicular vesicles (MVVs) to serve as synthetic eukaryotic cells. Using a two-inlet polydimethylsiloxane channel design to co-encapsulate different populations of liposomes we are able to produce lipid-based MVVs in a high-throughput manner and with three separate inner compartments, each containing a different enzyme: α-glucosidase, glucose oxidase, and horseradish peroxidase. We demonstrate the ability of these MVVs to carry out directed chemical communication between the compartments via the reconstitution of size-selective membrane pores. Therefore, the signal transduction, which is triggered externally, follows a specific spatial pathway between the compartments. We use this platform to study the effects of enzyme cascade compartmentalization by direct analytical comparison between bulk, one-, two-, and three-compartment systems. This microfluidic strategy to construct complex hierarchical structures is not only suitable to study compartmentalization effects on biochemical reactions but is also applicable for developing advanced drug delivery systems as well as minimal cells in the field of bottom-up synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunidhi
C. Shetty
- Theory
and Bio-Systems, Max Planck Institute of
Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Naresh Yandrapalli
- Theory
and Bio-Systems, Max Planck Institute of
Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Kerstin Pinkwart
- Theory
and Bio-Systems, Max Planck Institute of
Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Dorothee Krafft
- Max
Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstrasse 1, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tanja Vidakovic-Koch
- Max
Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstrasse 1, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ivan Ivanov
- Max
Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstrasse 1, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tom Robinson
- Theory
and Bio-Systems, Max Planck Institute of
Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
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Design and Optimization of the Circulatory Cell-Driven Drug Delivery Platform. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:8502021. [PMID: 34603454 PMCID: PMC8481068 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8502021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Achievement of high targeting efficiency for a drug delivery system remains a challenge of tumor diagnoses and nonsurgery therapies. Although nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have made great progress in extending circulation time, improving durability, and controlling drug release, the targeting efficiency remains low. And the development is limited to reducing side effects since overall survival rates are mostly unchanged. Therefore, great efforts have been made to explore cell-driven drug delivery systems in the tumor area. Cells, particularly those in the blood circulatory system, meet most of the demands that the nanoparticle-based delivery systems do not. These cells possess extended circulation times and innate chemomigration ability and can activate an immune response that exerts therapeutic effects. However, new challenges have emerged, such as payloads, cell function change, cargo leakage, and in situ release. Generally, employing cells from the blood circulatory system as cargo carriers has achieved great benefits and paved the way for tumor diagnosis and therapy. This review specifically covers (a) the properties of red blood cells, monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, T lymphocytes, and mesenchymal stem cells; (b) the loading strategies to balance cargo amounts and cell function balance; (c) the cascade strategies to improve cell-driven targeting delivery efficiency; and (d) the features and applications of cell membranes, artificial cells, and extracellular vesicles in cancer treatment.
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41
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Altamura E, Albanese P, Mavelli F, Stano P. The Rise of the Nested Multicompartment Model in Synthetic Cell Research. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:750576. [PMID: 34540903 PMCID: PMC8446550 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.750576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paola Albanese
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Fabio Mavelli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Stano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
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42
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Ji Y, Mu W, Wu H, Qiao Y. Directing Transition of Synthetic Protocell Models via Physicochemical Cues-Triggered Interfacial Dynamic Covalent Chemistry. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2101187. [PMID: 34319646 PMCID: PMC8456217 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202101187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
As the preliminary synthetic analogs of living cells, protocells with life-like features serve as a versatile platform to explore the origin of life. Although protocells constructed from multiple components have been developed, the transition of primitive cellular compartments toward structural complexity and advanced function remains a scientific challenge. Herein, a programmable pathway is established to exploit a simple chemistry to construct structural transition of protocell models from emulsion droplets, nanocapsules to molecularly crowded droplets. The transitional process toward distinct cell-like compartments is driven by interfacial self-assembly of simple components and regulated by physicochemical cues (e.g., mechanical force, solvent evaporation, acid/base equilibrium) triggered dynamic covalent chemistry. These protocell models are further studied by comparing their compartmentalization behavior, sequestration efficiency, and the ability to enrich biomolecules (e.g., enzyme and substrate) toward catalytic reaction or biological activity within the compartments. The results showcase physiochemical cues-driven programmable transition of life-like compartments toward functionalization, and offer a new step toward the design of living soft materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanglimin Ji
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS)Laboratory of Polymer Physics and ChemistryCAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular SciencesInstitute of ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Wenjing Mu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS)Laboratory of Polymer Physics and ChemistryCAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular SciencesInstitute of ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Hua Wu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS)Laboratory of Polymer Physics and ChemistryCAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular SciencesInstitute of ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yan Qiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS)Laboratory of Polymer Physics and ChemistryCAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular SciencesInstitute of ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
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43
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Qian X, Westensee IN, Fernandes CC, Städler B. Enzyme Mimic Facilitated Artificial Cell to Mammalian Cell Signal Transfer. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202104904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Qian
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) Aarhus University Gustav Wieds Vej 14 8000 Aarhus Denmark
| | - Isabella Nymann Westensee
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) Aarhus University Gustav Wieds Vej 14 8000 Aarhus Denmark
| | | | - Brigitte Städler
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) Aarhus University Gustav Wieds Vej 14 8000 Aarhus Denmark
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44
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Artificial cells for the treatment of liver diseases. Acta Biomater 2021; 130:98-114. [PMID: 34126265 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver diseases have become an increasing health burden and account for over 2 million deaths every year globally. Standard therapies including liver transplant and cell therapy offer a promising treatment for liver diseases, but they also suffer limitations such as adverse immune reactions and lack of long-term efficacy. Artificial cells that mimic certain functions of a living cell have emerged as a new strategy to overcome some of the challenges that liver cell therapy faces at present. Artificial cells have demonstrated advantages in long-term storage, targeting capability, and tuneable features. This article provides an overview of the recent progress in developing artificial cells and their potential applications in liver disease treatment. First, the design of artificial cells and their biomimicking functions are summarized. Then, systems that mimic cell surface properties are introduced with two concepts highlighted: cell membrane-coated artificial cells and synthetic lipid-based artificial cells. Next, cell microencapsulation strategy is summarized and discussed. Finally, challenges and future perspectives of artificial cells are outlined. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Liver diseases have become an increasing health burden. Standard therapies including liver transplant and cell therapy offer a promising treatment for liver diseases, but they have limitations such as adverse immune reactions and lack of long-term efficacy. Artificial cells that mimic certain functions of a living cell have emerged as a new strategy to overcome some of the challenges that liver cell therapy faces at present. This article provides an overview of the recent progress in developing artificial cells and their potential applications in liver disease treatment, including the design of artificial cells and their biomimicking functions, two systems that mimic cell surface properties (cell membrane-coated artificial cells and synthetic lipid-based artificial cells), and cell microencapsulation strategy. We also outline the challenges and future perspectives of artificial cells.
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Chromatophores efficiently promote light-driven ATP synthesis and DNA transcription inside hybrid multicompartment artificial cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2012170118. [PMID: 33526592 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2012170118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The construction of energetically autonomous artificial protocells is one of the most ambitious goals in bottom-up synthetic biology. Here, we show an efficient manner to build adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) synthesizing hybrid multicompartment protocells. Bacterial chromatophores from Rhodobacter sphaeroides accomplish the photophosphorylation of adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) to ATP, functioning as nanosized photosynthetic organellae when encapsulated inside artificial giant phospholipid vesicles (ATP production rate up to ∼100 ATP∙s-1 per ATP synthase). The chromatophore morphology and the orientation of the photophosphorylation proteins were characterized by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and time-resolved spectroscopy. The freshly synthesized ATP has been employed for sustaining the transcription of a DNA gene, following the RNA biosynthesis inside individual vesicles by confocal microscopy. The hybrid multicompartment approach here proposed is very promising for the construction of full-fledged artificial protocells because it relies on easy-to-obtain and ready-to-use chromatophores, paving the way for artificial simplified-autotroph protocells (ASAPs).
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46
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Abstract
A major goal of synthetic biology is to understand the transition between non-living matter and life. The bottom-up development of an artificial cell would provide a minimal system with which to study the border between chemistry and biology. So far, a fully synthetic cell has remained elusive, but chemists are progressing towards this goal by reconstructing cellular subsystems. Cell boundaries, likely in the form of lipid membranes, were necessary for the emergence of life. In addition to providing a protective barrier between cellular cargo and the external environment, lipid compartments maintain homeostasis with other subsystems to regulate cellular processes. In this Review, we examine different chemical approaches to making cell-mimetic compartments. Synthetic strategies to drive membrane formation and function, including bioorthogonal ligations, dissipative self-assembly and reconstitution of biochemical pathways, are discussed. Chemical strategies aim to recreate the interactions between lipid membranes, the external environment and internal biomolecules, and will clarify our understanding of life at the interface of chemistry and biology.
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47
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Qian X, Westensee IN, Fernandes CC, Städler B. Enzyme Mimic Facilitated Artificial Cell to Mammalian Cell Signal Transfer. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:18704-18711. [PMID: 34096152 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202104904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Catalyzing biochemical reactions with enzymes and communicating with neighboring cells via chemical signaling are two fundamental cellular features that play a critical role in maintaining the homeostasis of organisms. Herein, we present an artificial enzyme (AE) facilitated signal transfer between artificial cells (ACs) and mammalian HepG2 cells. We synthesize metalloporphyrins (MPs) based AEs that mimic cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) to catalyze a dealkylation and a hydroxylation reaction, exemplified by the conversion of resorufin ethyl ether (REE) to resorufin and coumarin (COU) to 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC), respectively. The AEs are immobilized in hydrogels to produce ACs that generate the two diffusive fluorophores, which can diffuse into HepG2 cells and result in dual intracellular emissions. This work highlights the use of AEs to promote AC to mammalian signal transfer, which opens up new opportunities for integrating the synthetic and living world with a bottom-up strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Qian
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Isabella Nymann Westensee
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Brigitte Städler
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
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48
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Shim J, Zhou C, Gong T, Iserlis DA, Linjawi HA, Wong M, Pan T, Tan C. Building protein networks in synthetic systems from the bottom-up. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 49:107753. [PMID: 33857631 PMCID: PMC9558565 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The recent development of synthetic biology has expanded the capability to design and construct protein networks outside of living cells from the bottom-up. The new capability has enabled us to assemble protein networks for the basic study of cellular pathways, expression of proteins outside cells, and building tissue materials. Furthermore, the integration of natural and synthetic protein networks has enabled new functions of synthetic or artificial cells. Here, we review the underlying technologies for assembling protein networks in liposomes, water-in-oil droplets, and biomaterials from the bottom-up. We cover the recent applications of protein networks in biological transduction pathways, energy self-supplying systems, cellular environmental sensors, and cell-free protein scaffolds. We also review new technologies for assembling protein networks, including multiprotein purification methods, high-throughput assay screen platforms, and controllable fusion of liposomes. Finally, we present existing challenges towards building protein networks that rival the complexity and dynamic response akin to natural systems. This review addresses the gap in our understanding of synthetic and natural protein networks. It presents a vision towards developing smart and resilient protein networks for various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoung Shim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - Chuqing Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - Ting Gong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - Dasha Aleksandra Iserlis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - Hamad Abdullah Linjawi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - Matthew Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - Tingrui Pan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America; Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China.
| | - Cheemeng Tan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America.
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49
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Surfactant-free production of biomimetic giant unilamellar vesicles using PDMS-based microfluidics. Commun Chem 2021; 4:100. [PMID: 36697530 PMCID: PMC9814093 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-021-00530-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic production of giant lipid vesicles presents a paradigm-shift in the development of artificial cells. While production is high-throughput and the lipid vesicles are mono-disperse compared to bulk methods, current technologies rely heavily on the addition of additives such as surfactants, glycerol and even ethanol. Here we present a microfluidic method for producing biomimetic surfactant-free and additive-free giant unilamellar vesicles. The versatile design allows for the production of vesicle sizes ranging anywhere from ~10 to 130 µm with either neutral or charged lipids, and in physiological buffer conditions. Purity, functionality, and stability of the membranes are validated by lipid diffusion, protein incorporation, and leakage assays. Usability as artificial cells is demonstrated by increasing their complexity, i.e., by encapsulating plasmids, smaller liposomes, mammalian cells, and microspheres. This robust method capable of creating truly biomimetic artificial cells in high-throughput will prove valuable for bottom-up synthetic biology and the understanding of membrane function.
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50
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Chakraborty T, Wegner SV. Cell to Cell Signaling through Light in Artificial Cell Communities: Glowing Predator Lures Prey. ACS NANO 2021; 15:9434-9444. [PMID: 34152740 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c01600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Cells commonly communicate with each other through diffusible molecules but nonchemical communication remains elusive. While bioluminescent organisms communicate through light to find prey or attract mates, it is still under debate if signaling through light is possible at the cellular level. Here, we demonstrate that cell to cell signaling through light is possible in artificial cell communities derived from biomimetic vesicles. In our design, artificial sender cells produce an intracellular light signal, which triggers the adhesion to receiver cells. Unlike soluble molecules, the light signal propagates fast, independent of diffusion and without the need for a transporter across membranes. To obtain a predator-prey relationship, the luminescence predator cells is loaded with a secondary diffusible poison, which is transferred to the prey cell upon adhesion and leads to its lysis. This design provides a blueprint for light based intercellular communication, which can be used for programing artificial and natural cell communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taniya Chakraborty
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstr. 15, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Seraphine V Wegner
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstr. 15, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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