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Hazra B, Mandal R, Sahu J, Das S, Prasad M, Tarafdar PK. Self-immolation Assisted Morphology Transformation of Prebiotic Lipidated-cationic Amino Acids: Electro-droplet Mediated C-C Coupling Reaction to Synthesize Macromolecules. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303555. [PMID: 38205907 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Compartmentalization protected biomolecules from the fluctuating environments of early Earth. Although contemporary cells mostly use phospholipid-based bilayer membranes, the utility of non-bilayer compartments was not ruled out during the prebiotic and modern eras. In the present study, we demonstrated the prebiotic synthesis of lipidated cationic amino acid-based amphiphiles [lauryl ester of lysine (LysL); ornithine (OrnL); and 2,4-diamino butyric acid (DabL)] using model dry-down reaction. These amphiphiles self-assemble into micellar membranes. However, the OrnL and DabL-based micelles undergo pH-responsive transformation to lipid droplet-like morphologies, a modelcompartment in the prebiotic Earth. These cationic droplets encapsulated prebiotic molecules (isoprene) and assisted electron transfer reaction to synthesize isoprenoid derivatives at primitive Earth conditions. The self-assembly of prebiotic amphiphiles, their transformation to droplet compartments, and droplet-assisted C-C bond formation reaction might have helped the evolution to synthesize various biomolecules required for the origin of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibhas Hazra
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, 741 246, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India
| | - Raki Mandal
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, 741 246, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India
| | - Jayati Sahu
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, 741 246, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India
| | - Subrata Das
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, 741 246, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India
| | - Mahesh Prasad
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, 741 246, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India
| | - Pradip K Tarafdar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, 741 246, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India
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2
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Qi C, Ma X, Zeng Q, Huang Z, Zhang S, Deng X, Kong T, Liu Z. Multicompartmental coacervate-based protocell by spontaneous droplet evaporation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1107. [PMID: 38321061 PMCID: PMC10847435 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45411-y] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Hierarchical compartmentalization, a hallmark of both primitive and modern cells, enables the concentration and isolation of biomolecules, and facilitates spatial organization of biochemical reactions. Coacervate-based compartments can sequester and recruit a large variety of molecules, making it an attractive protocell model. In this work, we report the spontaneous formation of core-shell cell-sized coacervate-based compartments driven by spontaneous evaporation of a sessile droplet on a thin-oil-coated substrate. Our analysis reveals that such far-from-equilibrium architectures arise from multiple, coupled segregative and associative liquid-liquid phase separation, and are stabilized by stagnation points within the evaporating droplet. The formation of stagnation points results from convective capillary flows induced by the maximum evaporation rate at the liquid-liquid-air contact line. This work provides valuable insights into the spontaneous formation and maintenance of hierarchical compartments under non-equilibrium conditions, offering a glimpse into the real-life scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Qi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Optomechatronics Engineering, College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xudong Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Optomechatronics Engineering, College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qi Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Optomechatronics Engineering, College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhangwei Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Optomechatronics Engineering, College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, 518000, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaokang Deng
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518000, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Tiantian Kong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, 518000, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Urology, Inst Translat Med, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Zhou Liu
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518000, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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3
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Zhang C, Peng H, Waite JH, Zhao Q. Coacervate Phase Evolution and Membrane Formation in Natural Seawater. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:2219-2226. [PMID: 38207218 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c12539] [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: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Marine organisms produce biological materials through the complex self-assembly of protein condensates in seawater, but our understanding of the mechanisms of microstructure evolution and maturation remains incomplete. Here, we show that critical processing attributes of mussel holdfast proteins can be captured by the design of an amphiphilic, fluorescent polymer (PECHIA) consisting of a polyepichlorohydrin backbone grafted with 1-imidazolium acetonitrile. Aqueous solutions of PECHIA were extruded into seawater, wherein the charge repulsion of PECHIA is screened by high salinity, facilitating interfacial condensation via enhanced "cation-dipole" interactions. Diffusion of seawater into the PECHIA solution caused droplets to form immiscibly within the PECHIA phase (i.e., inverse coacervation). Simultaneously, weakly alkaline seawater catalyzes nitrile cyclization and time-dependent solidification of the PECHIA phase, leading to hierarchically porous membranes analogous to porous architectures in mussel plaques. In contrast to conventional polymer processing technologies, processing of this biomimetic polymer required neither organic solvents nor heating and enabled the template-free production of hollow spheres and fibers over a wide range of salinities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongrui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Huawen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - J Herbert Waite
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Qiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
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4
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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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5
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Wang X, Qiao X, Chen H, Wang L, Liu X, Huang X. Synthetic-Cell-Based Multi-Compartmentalized Hierarchical Systems. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2201712. [PMID: 37069779 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202201712] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In the extant lifeforms, the self-sustaining behaviors refer to various well-organized biochemical reactions in spatial confinement, which rely on compartmentalization to integrate and coordinate the molecularly crowded intracellular environment and complicated reaction networks in living/synthetic cells. Therefore, the biological phenomenon of compartmentalization has become an essential theme in the field of synthetic cell engineering. Recent progress in the state-of-the-art of synthetic cells has indicated that multi-compartmentalized synthetic cells should be developed to obtain more advanced structures and functions. Herein, two ways of developing multi-compartmentalized hierarchical systems, namely interior compartmentalization of synthetic cells (organelles) and integration of synthetic cell communities (synthetic tissues), are summarized. Examples are provided for different construction strategies employed in the above-mentioned engineering ways, including spontaneous compartmentalization in vesicles, host-guest nesting, phase separation mediated multiphase, adhesion-mediated assembly, programmed arrays, and 3D printing. Apart from exhibiting advanced structures and functions, synthetic cells are also applied as biomimetic materials. Finally, key challenges and future directions regarding the development of multi-compartmentalized hierarchical systems are summarized; these are expected to lay the foundation for the creation of a "living" synthetic cell as well as provide a larger platform for developing new biomimetic materials in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoliang Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Xin Qiao
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Haixu Chen
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Lei Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoman Liu
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Xin Huang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
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6
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Bergmann AM, Bauermann J, Bartolucci G, Donau C, Stasi M, Holtmannspötter AL, Jülicher F, Weber CA, Boekhoven J. Liquid spherical shells are a non-equilibrium steady state of active droplets. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6552. [PMID: 37848445 PMCID: PMC10582082 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42344-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation yields spherical droplets that eventually coarsen to one large, stable droplet governed by the principle of minimal free energy. In chemically fueled phase separation, the formation of phase-separating molecules is coupled to a fuel-driven, non-equilibrium reaction cycle. It thus yields dissipative structures sustained by a continuous fuel conversion. Such dissipative structures are ubiquitous in biology but are poorly understood as they are governed by non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Here, we bridge the gap between passive, close-to-equilibrium, and active, dissipative structures with chemically fueled phase separation. We observe that spherical, active droplets can undergo a morphological transition into a liquid, spherical shell. We demonstrate that the mechanism is related to gradients of short-lived droplet material. We characterize how far out of equilibrium the spherical shell state is and the chemical power necessary to sustain it. Our work suggests alternative avenues for assembling complex stable morphologies, which might already be exploited to form membraneless organelles by cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Bergmann
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Jonathan Bauermann
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Strasse 38, 01187, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Giacomo Bartolucci
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Strasse 38, 01187, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carsten Donau
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Michele Stasi
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Holtmannspötter
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Frank Jülicher
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Strasse 38, 01187, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technical University of Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christoph A Weber
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Materials Engineering: Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstrasse 1, 86159, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Job Boekhoven
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85748, Garching, Germany.
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7
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Kubota R, Hiroi T, Ikuta Y, Liu Y, Hamachi I. Visualizing Formation and Dynamics of a Three-Dimensional Sponge-like Network of a Coacervate in Real Time. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:18316-18328. [PMID: 37562059 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Coacervates, which are formed by liquid-liquid phase separation, have been extensively explored as models for synthetic cells and membraneless organelles, so their in-depth structural analysis is crucial. However, both the inner structure dynamics and formation mechanism of coacervates remain elusive. Herein, we demonstrate real-time confocal observation of a three-dimensional sponge-like network in a dipeptide-based coacervate. In situ generation of the dipeptide allowed us to capture the emergence of the sponge-like network via unprecedented membrane folding of vesicle-shaped intermediates. We also visualized dynamic fluctuation of the network, including reversible engagement/disengagement of cross-links and a stochastic network kissing event. Photoinduced transient formation of a multiphase coacervate was achieved with a thermally responsive phase transition. Our findings expand the fundamental understanding of synthetic coacervates and provide opportunities to manipulate their physicochemical properties by engineering the inner network for potential applications in development of artificial cells and life-like material fabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryou Kubota
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Taro Hiroi
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Yuriki Ikuta
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Yuchong Liu
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Itaru Hamachi
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
- JST-ERATO, Hamachi Innovative Molecular Technology for Neuroscience, Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku, Katsura 615-8530, Japan
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8
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Yin Z, Gao N, Xu C, Li M, Mann S. Autonomic Integration in Nested Protocell Communities. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37369121 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c02816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The self-driven organization of model protocells into higher-order nested cytomimetic systems with coordinated structural and functional relationships offers a step toward the autonomic implementation of artificial multicellularity. Here, we describe an endosymbiotic-like pathway in which proteinosomes are captured within membranized alginate/silk fibroin coacervate vesicles by guest-mediated reconfiguration of the host protocells. We demonstrate that interchange of coacervate vesicle and droplet morphologies through proteinosome-mediated urease/glucose oxidase activity produces discrete nested communities capable of integrated catalytic activity and selective disintegration. The self-driving capacity is modulated by an internalized fuel-driven process using starch hydrolases sequestered within the host coacervate phase, and structural stabilization of the integrated protocell populations can be achieved by on-site enzyme-mediated matrix reinforcement involving dipeptide supramolecular assembly or tyramine-alginate covalent cross-linking. Our work highlights a semi-autonomous mechanism for constructing symbiotic cell-like nested communities and provides opportunities for the development of reconfigurable cytomimetic materials with structural, functional, and organizational complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuping Yin
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Ning Gao
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Can Xu
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Mei Li
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Stephen Mann
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
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Chen J, Bai Q, Li Y, Liu Z, Li Y, Liang D. Coacervates Forming Coexisting Phases on a Mineral Surface. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:5814-5824. [PMID: 37053474 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Minerals played a crucial role in the chemical evolution of small molecules into biopolymers. Yet, it is still not clear how the minerals are related to the formation and the evolution of protocells on early Earth. In this work, using the coacervate formed by quaternized dextran (Q-dextran) and single-stranded oligonucleotides (ss-oligo) as the protocell model, we systematically studied the phase separation of Q-dextran and ss-oligo on the muscovite surface. Serving as rigid and 2D polyelectrolytes, the muscovite surface can be treated by Q-dextran to become negatively charged, neutral, or positively charged. We observed that Q-dextran and ss-oligo form uniform coacervates on naked and neutral muscovite surfaces, while they form biphasic coacervates containing Q-dextran-rich phases and ss-oligo-rich phases on positively or negatively charged muscovite surfaces that were pretreated by Q-dextran. The evolution of the phases is caused by the redistribution of the components as the coacervate touches the surface. Our study indicates that the mineral surface could be a potential driving force for the formation of protocells with hierarchical structures and desirable functions on prebiotic Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Chen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qingwen Bai
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yanzhang Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mineral Environmental Function, and the Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhijun Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yan Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mineral Environmental Function, and the Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Dehai Liang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, and the Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Chen M, Liu G, Zhang M, Li Y, Hong X, Yang H. Programmatically Dynamic Microcompartmentation in Coacervate-in-Pickering Emulsion Protocell. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2206437. [PMID: 36564366 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The desire for exploration of cellular functional mechanisms has substantially increased the rapid development of artificial cells. However, the construction of synthetic cells with high organizational complexity remains challenging due to the lack of facile approaches ensuring dynamic multi-compartments of cytoplasm and stability of membranes in protocells. Herein, a stable coacervate-in-Pickering emulsion protocell model comprising a membraneless coacervate phase formed by poly-l-lysine (PLys) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) encapsulated in Pickering emulsion is put forward only through simple one-step emulsification. The dynamic distribution of intracellular components (coacervates in this protocell model) can be manipulated by changes in temperature or pH. This coacervate-in-Pickering emulsion protocell system exhibits repeatable cycle stability in response to external stimuli (at least 24 cycles for temperature and 3 cycles for pH). By encapsulating antagonistic enzymes into coacervates, glucose oxidase (GOx) and urease as an example, the control of local enzyme concentration is achieved by introducing glucose and urea to adjust the pH value in Pickering emulsion droplets. This hybrid protocell model with programmatically dynamic microcompartmentation and sufficient stability is expected to be further studied and applied in cellular biology, facilitating the development of lifelike systems with potential in practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqing Chen
- College of Chemistry and Molecule Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Guoliang Liu
- College of Chemistry and Molecule Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Yanyan Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Xinlin Hong
- College of Chemistry and Molecule Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Hengquan Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
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11
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Gao N, Mann S. Membranized Coacervate Microdroplets: from Versatile Protocell Models to Cytomimetic Materials. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:297-307. [PMID: 36625520 PMCID: PMC9910039 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Although complex coacervate microdroplets derived from associative phase separation of counter-charged electrolytes have emerged as a broad platform for the bottom-up construction of membraneless, molecularly crowded protocells, the absence of an enclosing membrane limits the construction of more sophisticated artificial cells and their use as functional cytomimetic materials. To address this problem, we and others have recently developed chemical-based strategies for the membranization of preformed coacervate microdroplets. In this Account, we review our recent work on diverse coacervate systems using a range of membrane building blocks and assembly processes. First, we briefly introduce the unusual nature of the coacervate/water interface, emphasizing the ultralow interfacial tension and broad interfacial width as physiochemical properties that require special attention in the judicious design of membranized coacervate microdroplets. Second, we classify membrane assembly into two different approaches: (i) interfacial self-assembly by using diverse surface-active building blocks such as molecular amphiphiles (fatty acids, phospholipids, block copolymers, protein-polymer conjugates) or nano- and microscale objects (liposomes, nanoparticle surfactants, cell fragments, living cells) with appropriate wettability; and (ii) coacervate droplet-to-vesicle reconfiguration by employing auxiliary surface reconstruction agents or triggering endogenous transitions (self-membranization) under nonstoichiometric (charge mismatched) conditions. We then discuss the key cytomimetic behaviors of membranized coacervate-based model protocells. Customizable permeability is achieved by synergistic effects operating between the molecularly crowded coacervate interior and surrounding membrane. In contrast, metabolic-like endogenous reactivity, diffusive chemical signaling, and collective chemical operations occur specifically in protocell networks comprising diverse populations of membranized coacervate microdroplets. In each case, these cytomimetic behaviors can give rise to functional microscale materials capable of promising cell-like applications. For example, immobilizing spatially segregated enzyme-loaded phospholipid-coated coacervate protocells in concentrically tubular hydrogels delivers prototissue-like bulk materials that generate nitric oxide in vitro, enabling platelet deactivation and inhibition of blood clot formation. Alternatively, therapeutic protocells with in vivo vasoactivity, high hemocompatibility, and increased blood circulation times are constructed by spontaneous assembly of hemoglobin-containing cell-membrane fragments on the surface of enzyme-loaded coacervate microdroplets. Higher-order properties such as artificial endocytosis are achieved by using nanoparticle-caged coacervate protocell hosts that selectively and actively capture guest nano- and microscale objects by responses to exogenous stimuli or via endogenous enzyme-mediated reactions. Finally, we discuss the current limitations in the design and programming of membranized coacervate microdroplets, which may help to guide future directions in this emerging research area. Taken together, we hope that this Account will inspire new advances in membranized coacervate microdroplets and promote their application in the development of integrated protocell models and functional cytomimetic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Gao
- Max
Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, BristolBS8 1TS, United
Kingdom,Centre
for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, BristolBS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Mann
- Max
Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, BristolBS8 1TS, United
Kingdom,Centre
for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, BristolBS8 1TS, United Kingdom,School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai
Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai200240, PR China,Zhangjiang
Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai
Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai201203, PR China,
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Wang X, Wu S, Tang TYD, Tian L. Engineering strategies for sustainable synthetic cells. TRENDS IN CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trechm.2022.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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