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Tuning interfacial fluidity and colloidal stability of membranized coacervate protocells
Yanglimin Ji1,2, Yan Qiao3,4
1Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100190, Beijing, China.
Communications Chemistry
|June 3, 2024
Summary
Researchers engineered cell-like protocells by controlling their interfacial membrane properties. Adjusting dextran molecular weight or using dextranase allowed tuning fluidity and thickness for better stability and interactions.
Area of Science:
- Biomimetic chemistry
- Soft matter physics
- Origin of life studies
Background:
- Cell membranes regulate cellular functions and define cell boundaries.
- Membraneless coacervates formed via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) are key to creating protocells.
- Controlling protocell surface properties is essential for mimicking cellular behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the modulation of interfacial membrane properties in coacervate protocells.
- To establish rational control over protocell colloidal stability, molecular transport, and interactions.
- To explore surface engineering strategies for advanced protocell design.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing dextran-bound coacervate protocells.
- Adjusting dextran molecular weight to alter membrane characteristics.
- Employing dextranase-catalyzed hydrolysis to modify membrane properties.
Main Results:
- Successfully modulated interfacial membrane fluidity and thickness.
- Achieved rational control over colloidal stability and interfacial molecular transport.
- Demonstrated tunable cell-protocell interactions through surface engineering.
Conclusions:
- Surface engineering of coacervate protocells is achievable by controlling membrane properties.
- Modulated protocell membranes enable the establishment of cell-mimicking structures and functions.
- This approach offers a new pathway for creating sophisticated biomimetic systems.
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