Evolution of Proliferative Model Protocells Highly Responsive to the Environment

In this review, we discuss various methods of reproducing life dynamics using a constructive approach. An increase in the structural complexity of a model protocell is accompanied by an increase in the stage of reproduction of a compartment (giant vesicle; GV) from simple reproduction to linked reproduction with the replication of information molecules (DNA), and eventually to recursive proliferation of a model protocell. An encounter between a plural protic catalyst (C) and DNA within a GV membrane containing a plural cationic lipid (V) spontaneously forms a supramolecular catalyst (C@DNA) that catalyzes the production of cationic membrane lipid V. The local formation of V causes budding deformation of the GV and equivolume divisions. The length of the DNA strand influences the frequency of proliferation, associated with the emergence of a primitive information flow that induces phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental conditions. A predominant protocell appears from the competitive proliferation of protocells containing DNA with different strand lengths, leading to an evolvable model protocell. Recently, peptides of amino acid thioesters have been used to construct peptide droplets through liquid-liquid phase separation. These droplets grew, owing to the supply of nutrients, and were divided repeatedly under a physical stimulus. This proposed chemical system demonstrates a new perspective of the origins of membraneless protocells, i.e., the "droplet world" hypothesis. Proliferative model protocells can be regarded as autonomous supramolecular machines. This concept of this review may open new horizons of "evolution" for intelligent supramolecular machines and robotics.

Synthesis of GalNAc-Oligonucleotide Conjugates Using GalNAc Phosphoramidite and Triple-GalNAc CPG Solid Support

GalNAc oligonucleotide conjugates demonstrate improved potency in vivo due to selective and efficient delivery to hepatocytes in the liver via receptor-mediated endocytosis. GalNAc-siRNA and GalNAc-antisense oligonucleotides are at various stages of clinical trials, while the first two drugs were already approved by FDA. Also, GalNAc conjugates are excellent tools for functional genomics and target validation in vivo. The number of GalNAc residues in a conjugate is crucial for delivery as cooperative interaction of several GalNAc residues with asialoglycoprotein receptor enhances delivery in vitro and in vivo. Here we provide a robust protocol for the synthesis of triple GalNAc CPG solid support and GalNAc phosphoramidite, synthesis and purification of RNA conjugates with multiple GalNAc residues either to 5'-end or 3'-end and siRNA duplex formation.

Temperature-Dependent Dynamics of Giant Vesicles Composed of Hydrolysable Lipids Having an Amide Linkage

Various amphiphiles including surfactants and lipids have been designed and synthesized to improve and create new functionalities. In particular, the emergence of cell-like behaviors of giant vesicles (GVs) composed of synthetic lipids has drawn much attention in the development of chemical models for cells. The aim of this study was to measure temperature-dependent morphological changes of GVs induced by fragmentation and subsequent growth using hydrolysable cationic lipids having an amide linkage. Results from differential scanning calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy using an environment-responsive probe, and confocal Raman microscopy showed that the dynamics observed were due to changes in the vesicle membrane, including variation in the lipid composition, induced by thermal stimulation.

Novel Cluster and Monomer-Based GalNAc Structures Induce Effective Uptake of siRNAs in Vitro and in Vivo

GalNAc conjugation is emerging as a dominant strategy for delivery of therapeutic oligonucleotides to hepatocytes. The structure and valency of the GalNAc ligand contributes to the potency of the conjugates. Here we present a panel of multivalent GalNAc variants using two different synthetic strategies. Specifically, we present a novel conjugate based on a support-bound trivalent GalNAc cluster, and four others using a GalNAc phosphoramidite monomer that was readily assembled into tri- or tetravalent designs during solid phase oligonucleotide synthesis. We compared these compounds to a clinically used trivalent GalNAc cluster both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, cluster-based and phosphoramidite-based scaffolds show a similar rate of internalization in primary hepatocytes, with membrane binding observed as early as 5 min. All tested compounds provided potent, dose-dependent silencing, with 2-4% of injected dose recoverable from liver after 1 week. The two preassembled trivalent GalNAc clusters showed higher tissue accumulation and gene silencing relative to di-, tri-, or tetravalent GalNAc conjugates assembled via phosphoramidite chemistry.

UV-induced drug release from photoactive REV sensitized by suprofen

In order to achieve local administration of drugs, calcein (CAL) encapsulated reverse phase evaporation vesicles (REV) carrying photoactive destabilization agent suprofen (SPF) in the lipid bilayer were prepared. Effect of both UV-A and UV-B photoactivation of liposomal membrane incorporated SPF on the destabilization of the liposome bilayer and the release of encapsulated CAL was investigated. Standard REV of phosphatidylcholine (PC):cholesterol (CHOL) in 7:3 molar ratio, and photoactive REV of PC:CHOL:SPF, and DPPC:CHOL:SPF in 7:3:3 molar ratio were prepared. CAL encapsulation efficiency (EE (%)) and in situ release was studied. SPF incorporation in the PC REV membrane led to approximately 5% increase in the EE (34%) in comparison to standard REV (29%). EE decreased (21%) when DPPC was used to replace PC. Exposure to UV-B caused the highest CAL release. The lowest release was from the unexposed REV. DPPC led to a higher liposomal membrane stability (lower CAL release) than PC. A linear relationship was observed between UV-B exposure duration and REV permeability. This study revealed that membrane destabilization of SPF incorporated REV was best achieved upon photoactivation of the membrane-localized SPF by a 40 min exposure to UV-B.

Liposomes from novel photolabile phospholipids: light-induced unloading of small molecules as monitored by PFG NMR

A molecular dithiane-based approach to synthesis of novel photolabile phospholipids is developed. These lipids are used in formulations with egg-POPC and cholesterol to prepare light-sensitive liposomes. Irradiation of such liposomes in PBS buffer (medium pressure mercury lamp, Pyrex filter, lambda > 300 nm) significantly increases the bilayer permeability and accelerates the release of entrapped small organic molecules by an order of magnitude. A simple assay, based on (1)H or (19)F PFG NMR measurements of diffusion coefficients, is developed to monitor light-induced unloading of the probe molecules.

Fast laser-induced solute release from liposomes sensitized with photochromic lipid: effects of temperature, lipid host, and sensitizer concentration

Liposomes of gel-phase phospholipid have been prepared containing a photochromic lipid sensitizer. A fast UV laser pulse isomerizes the sensitizer destabilizing the lipid bilayer structure and causing release of trapped solute. The kinetics of solute release have been investigated as a function of host lipid chain length, sensitizer concentration, and temperature, and the limits of liposome stability have been established. At low concentrations of sensitizer, pulsed laser irradiation induces some solute release when continuous UV illumination is ineffective. Although rates of solute release usually increase with temperature, at low sensitizer concentration in a rigid host, leakage at first increases but then decreases rapidly above a threshold temperature. The results presented are relevant to the design of photostimulated drug delivery systems and to potential applications of photosensitive liposomes as caging agents for biological effectors.