Switchable Hydrophobic Pockets in DNA Protocells Enhance Chemical Conversion

Area of Science:

• Synthetic biology
• Biophysics
• Origin of life research

Background:

• Living cells feature crowded interiors enabling dynamic structure formation like cytoskeleton and membraneless organelles.
• These structures serve vital functions, including stress protection and acting as reaction microenvironments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a crowded all-DNA protocell model.
• To investigate the formation of artificial organelles via phase segregation of synthetic polymers.
• To understand how environmental stress influences compartment formation and function.

Main Methods:

• Encapsulation of a temperature-switchable DNA-block-polymer copolymer within a crowded all-DNA protocell.
• Induction of thermoreversible phase segregation via temperature changes.
• Analysis of phase separation using microscopy and fluorescent sensors.

Main Results:

• Bicontinuous phase separation of the synthetic polymer was observed at elevated temperatures, forming artificial organelle structures.
• These structures exhibited temperature-dependent reorientation influenced by protocell interior viscoelasticity.
• Formation of hydrophobic compartments was confirmed, enhancing bimolecular reaction rates.

Conclusions:

• The study demonstrates the creation of biohybrid artificial cells with responsive organelle-like structures.
• Insights into phase segregation under crowded conditions and organelle formation in response to stress were gained.
• The developed protocell model serves as a platform for studying microreactors and cellular compartmentalization.