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Transport among protocells via tunneling nanotubes
Ingrid Jin Schanke1, Lin Xue1, Karolina Spustova1
1Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway. irep@uio.no.
Nanoscale
|June 24, 2022
Summary
Model protocell networks show that lipid nanotubes could have enabled communication and molecular exchange between early primitive cells. This pathway facilitated DNA and RNA transport, potentially aiding early replication.
Area of Science:
- Origin of Life Studies
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Primitive cells on early Earth required mechanisms for intercellular communication and molecular exchange.
- Lipid-based structures are considered key components of early cellular life.
- Understanding transport through protocell connections is crucial for abiogenesis research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate molecular transport through lipid nanotubes connecting model protocells.
- To assess the potential of nanotube-mediated transport as a communication pathway for primitive cells.
- To investigate the exchange of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) between protocell compartments.
Main Methods:
- Formation of surface-adhered protocells interconnected by lipid nanotubes on a SiO2 surface in an aqueous environment.
- Observation of DNA and RNA uptake and diffusive transport between protocell compartments via nanotubes.
- Application of an analytical model to determine physical parameters influencing transport (e.g., nanotube diameter, compartment size).
Main Results:
- Model protocell networks successfully formed, with interconnected compartments via lipid nanotubes.
- DNA and RNA were encapsulated and observed to transport diffusively between protocells through the nanotubes.
- Key physical parameters governing transport efficiency were identified.
Conclusions:
- Lipid nanotube-mediated transport represents a plausible mechanism for communication and molecular exchange between primitive cells on early Earth.
- This pathway circumvents the need for membrane crossing, facilitating RNA and DNA exchange under prebiotic conditions.
- Such exchange could have played a significant role in the emergence and evolution of early replication systems.
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