Design and construction of higher-order structure and function in proteinosome-based protocells

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Synthetic Biology

Background:

• Protein-based microcompartments offer potential for biomimetic systems.
• Controlling the structure and function of synthetic protocells is crucial for advanced applications.
• Existing methods lack precise control over membrane properties and internal environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and construct proteinosome microcompartments with higher-order structure and function.
• To investigate structure/function relationships for controlled release and enhanced stability.
• To explore the integration of supramolecular and polymer chemistry for bioinspired materials.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of proteinosome microcompartments using amphiphilic bovine serum albumin/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (BSA-NH2/PNIPAAm) nanoconjugates.
• Differential chemical cross-linking of membranes for controlled disassembly and release of genetic polymers.
• Enzyme-mediated hydrogel structuring of the internal microenvironment.
• Self-production of an outer hydrogel wall for protease resistance.

Main Results:

• Achieved controlled disassembly and regulated release of encapsulated genetic polymers via cross-linking.
• Enhanced mechanical robustness and created a molecularly crowded internal environment using enzyme-mediated hydrogel structuring.
• Generated protease-resistant protein-polymer protocells through self-production of an outer hydrogel wall.

Conclusions:

• Demonstrated the potential of integrating supramolecular and polymer chemistry for novel bioinspired microcompartments.
• Highlighted the utility of BSA-NH2/PNIPAAm nanoconjugates in creating functional proteinosomes.
• Advanced the development of small-scale materials systems based on synthetic cellularity.