1
|
Søgaard AB, Løvschall KB, Montasell MC, Cramer CB, Marcet PM, Pedersen AB, Jakobsen JH, Zelikin AN. Artificial Receptor in Synthetic Cells Performs Transmembrane Activation of Proteolysis. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024:e2400053. [PMID: 38767247 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202400053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The design of artificial, synthetic cells is a fundamentally important and fast-developing field of science. Of the diverse attributes of cellular life, artificial transmembrane signaling across the biomolecular barriers remains a high challenge with only a few documented successes. Herein, the study achieves signaling across lipid bilayers and connects an exofacial enzymatic receptor activation to an intracellular biochemical catalytic response using an artificial receptor. The mechanism of signal transduction for the artificial receptor relies on the triggered decomposition of a self-immolative linker. Receptor activation ensues its head-to-tail decomposition and the release of a secondary messenger molecule into the internal volume of the synthetic cell. Transmembrane signaling is demonstrated in synthetic cells based on liposomes and mammalian cell-sized giant unilamellar vesicles and illustrates receptor performance in cell mimics with a diverse size and composition of the lipid bilayer. In giant unilamellar vesicles, transmembrane signaling connects exofacial receptor activation with intracellular activation of proteolysis. Taken together, the results of this study take a step toward engineering receptor-mediated, responsive behavior in synthetic cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alexander N Zelikin
- iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hou J, Guo J, Yan T, Liu S, Zang M, Wang L, Xu J, Luo Q, Wang T, Liu J. Light-controlled artificial transmembrane signal transduction for 'ON/OFF'-switchable transphosphorylation of an RNA model substrate. Chem Sci 2023; 14:6039-6044. [PMID: 37293632 PMCID: PMC10246681 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc06701c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Inspired by nature, it is of significant importance to design and construct biomimetic signaling systems to mimic natural signal transduction. Herein, we report an azobenzene/α-cyclodextrin (α-CD)-based signal transduction system with three functional modules: a light-responsive headgroup, lipid-anchored group, pro-catalyst tailgroup. The transducer can be inserted into the vesicular membrane to trigger the transmembrane translocation of molecules under the activation of light, forming a ribonuclease-like effector site and leading to the transphosphorylation of the RNA model substrate inside the vesicles. Moreover, the transphosphorylation process can be reversibly turned 'ON/OFF' over multiple cycles by the activation and deactivation of the pro-catalyst. This artificial photo-controlled signal transduction successfully constructs a signal responsive catalysis system across the membrane to utilize light to reversibly control the internal transphosphorylation process of an RNA model substrate, which might provide a new strategy for future design to utilize exogenous signals for implementing endogenous enzyme manipulation and gene regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinxing Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
| | - Jiale Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
| | - Tengfei Yan
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
| | - Shengda Liu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
| | - Mingsong Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
| | - Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
| | - Jiayun Xu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
| | - Quan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University Changchun 130012 China
| | - Tingting Wang
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
| | - Junqiu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University 2699 Qianjin Road Changchun 130012 China
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou 311121 China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hou J, Jiang X, Yang F, Wang L, Yan T, Liu S, Xu J, Hou C, Luo Q, Liu J. Supramolecularly regulated artificial transmembrane signal transduction for 'ON/OFF'-switchable enzyme catalysis. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:5725-5728. [PMID: 35441622 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc01421a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
An artificial signal transduction model with a supramolecular recognition headgroup, a membrane anchoring group, and a pro-enzyme catalysis endgroup was constructed. The transmembrane translocation of the transducer can be reversibly regulated by competitive host-guest complexations as an input signal to control an enzyme reaction inside the lipid vesicles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinxing Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Xiaojia Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Feihu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Tengfei Yan
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Shengda Liu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Jiayun Xu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Chunxi Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Quan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China. .,Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.,Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma, Ministry of Education, College of Emergency and Trauma, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Junqiu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Road, Changchun 130012, China. .,College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Humeniuk H, Gini A, Hao X, Coelho F, Sakai N, Matile S. Pnictogen-Bonding Catalysis and Transport Combined: Polyether Transporters Made In Situ. JACS AU 2021; 1:1588-1593. [PMID: 34723261 PMCID: PMC8549043 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The combination of catalysis and transport across lipid bilayer membranes promises directional access to a solvent-free and structured nanospace that could accelerate, modulate, and, at best, enable new chemical reactions. To elaborate on these expectations, anion transport and catalysis with pnictogen and tetrel bonds are combined with polyether cascade cyclizations into bioinspired cation transporters. Characterized separately, synergistic anion and cation transporters of very high activity are identified. Combined for catalysis in membranes, cascade cyclizations are found to occur with a formal rate enhancement beyond one million compared to bulk solution and product formation is detected in situ as an increase in transport activity. With this operational system in place, intriguing perspectives open up to exploit all aspects of this unique nanospace for important chemical transformations.
Collapse
|
5
|
Bickerton LE, Johnson TG, Kerckhoffs A, Langton MJ. Supramolecular chemistry in lipid bilayer membranes. Chem Sci 2021; 12:11252-11274. [PMID: 34567493 PMCID: PMC8409493 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03545b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid bilayer membranes form compartments requisite for life. Interfacing supramolecular systems, including receptors, catalysts, signal transducers and ion transporters, enables the function of the membrane to be controlled in artificial and living cellular compartments. In this perspective, we take stock of the current state of the art of this rapidly expanding field, and discuss prospects for the future in both fundamental science and applications in biology and medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Bickerton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Toby G Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Aidan Kerckhoffs
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Matthew J Langton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford Chemistry Research Laboratory 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Grochmal A, Woods B, Milanesi L, Perez-Soto M, Tomas S. How the biomimetic assembly of membrane receptors into multivalent domains is regulated by a small ligand. Chem Sci 2021; 12:7800-7808. [PMID: 34168834 PMCID: PMC8188472 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc01598b] [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] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In living cells, communication requires the action of membrane receptors that are activated following very small environmental changes. A binary all-or-nothing behavior follows, making the organism extremely efficient at responding to specific stimuli. Using a minimal system composed of lipid vesicles, chemical models of a membrane receptor and their ligands, we show that bio-mimetic ON/OFF assembly of high avidity, multivalent domains is triggered by small temperature changes. Moreover, the intensity of the ON signal at the onset of the switch is modulated by the presence of small, weakly binding divalent ligands, reminiscent of the action of primary messengers in biological systems. Based on the analysis of spectroscopic data, we develop a mathematical model that rigorously describes the temperature-dependent switching of the membrane receptor assembly and ligand binding. From this we derive an equation that predicts the intensity of the modulation of the ON signal by the ligand-messenger as a function of the pairwise binding parameters, the number of binding sites that it features and the concentration. The behavior of our system, and the model derived, highlight the usefulness of weakly binding ligands in the regulation of membrane receptors and the pitfalls inherent to their binding promiscuity, such as non-specific binding to the membrane. Our model, and the equations derived from it, offer a valuable tool for the study of membrane receptors in both biological and biomimetic settings. The latter can be exploited to program membrane receptor avidity on sensing vesicles, create hierarchical protocell tissues or develop highly specific drug delivery vehicles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Grochmal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Science, Birkbeck University of London Malet Street London WC1E 7HX UK
| | - Ben Woods
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Science, Birkbeck University of London Malet Street London WC1E 7HX UK
| | - Lilia Milanesi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Science, Birkbeck University of London Malet Street London WC1E 7HX UK
| | - Manuel Perez-Soto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Science, Birkbeck University of London Malet Street London WC1E 7HX UK
| | - Salvador Tomas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Science, Birkbeck University of London Malet Street London WC1E 7HX UK
| |
Collapse
|