Biomimetic approaches for studying membrane processes

Jelinek, Raz; Silbert, Liron

doi:10.1039/b907223n

Cited by 25 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…Biomimetic membrane systems have been developed to study, in controlled conditions, the biological events occurring at the cell membrane interface [1], [2]. Over the past 25 years, biomimetic models have been continuously improved with the aim of better mimicking the natural environment of biological membranes while allowing deeper investigations of membrane processes with various surface sensitive techniques such as Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), Atomic Force Microscopy, Quartz Crystal Microbalance, neutron-reflectometry, etc…[3], [4] Introduction of tethered supported bilayers (or tethered bilayer membranes, t BLM) has been a major implementation toward the reconstitution of integral membrane proteins within a fluid hydrophobic environment that preserves their functional properties [5], [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Tethered Bilayer Assembled on Top of Immobilized Calmodulin to Mimic Cellular Compartmentalization

Rossi

Clarine²,

Davi³

et al. 2011

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundBiomimetic membrane models tethered on solid supports are important tools for membrane protein biochemistry and biotechnology. The supported membrane systems described up to now are composed of a lipid bilayer tethered or not to a surface separating two compartments: a ”trans” side, one to a few nanometer thick, located between the supporting surface and the membrane; and a “cis” side, above the synthetic membrane, exposed to the bulk medium. We describe here a novel biomimetic design composed of a tethered bilayer membrane that is assembled over a surface derivatized with a specific intracellular protein marker. This multilayered biomimetic assembly exhibits the fundamental characteristics of an authentic biological membrane in creating a continuous yet fluid phospholipidic barrier between two distinct compartments: a “cis” side corresponding to the extracellular milieu and a “trans” side marked by a key cytosolic signaling protein, calmodulin.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe established and validated the experimental conditions to construct a multilayered structure consisting in a planar tethered bilayer assembled over a surface derivatized with calmodulin. We demonstrated the following: (i) the grafted calmodulin molecules (in trans side) were fully functional in binding and activating a calmodulin-dependent enzyme, the adenylate cyclase from Bordetella pertussis; and (ii) the assembled bilayer formed a continuous, protein-impermeable boundary that fully separated the underlying calmodulin (trans side) from the above medium (cis side).ConclusionsThe simplicity and robustness of the tethered bilayer structure described here should facilitate the elaboration of biomimetic membrane models incorporating membrane embedded proteins and key cytoplasmic constituents. Such biomimetic structures will also be an attractive tool to study translocation across biological membranes of proteins or other macromolecules.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Tethered Bilayer Assembled on Top of Immobilized Calmodulin to Mimic Cellular Compartmentalization

Rossi

Clarine²,

Davi³

et al. 2011

PLoS ONE

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“…. Moreover, innovative biomimetic techniques for the study of membrane-related processes and biomolecular interactions associated with membranes have been developed 51,52 …”

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confidence: 99%

Generation of phospholipid vesicle-nanotube networks and transport of molecules therein

et al. 2011

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We describe micromanipulation and microinjection procedures for the fabrication of soft-matter networks consisting of lipid bilayer nanotubes and surface-immobilized vesicles. these biomimetic membrane systems feature unique structural flexibility and expandability and, unlike solid-state microfluidic and nanofluidic devices prepared by top-down fabrication, they allow network designs with dynamic control over individual containers and interconnecting conduits. the fabrication is founded on self-assembly of phospholipid molecules, followed by micromanipulation operations, such as membrane electroporation and microinjection, to effect shape transformations of the membrane and create a series of interconnected compartments. size and geometry of the network can be chosen according to its desired function. Membrane composition is controlled mainly during the self-assembly step, whereas the interior contents of individual containers is defined through a sequence of microneedle injections. networks cannot be fabricated with other currently available methods of giant unilamellar vesicle preparation (large unilamellar vesicle fusion or electroformation). Described in detail are also three transport modes, which are suitable for moving water-soluble or membranebound small molecules, polymers, Dna, proteins and nanoparticles within the networks. the fabrication protocol requires ~90 min, provided all necessary preparations are made in advance. the transport studies require an additional 60-120 min, depending on the transport regime. 20,29 . Once a needle is inside a GUV, the bilayer tightly seals around the tip. The adhesion of the membrane is typically strong enough to allow the pulling of lipid material from the membrane, thereby instantly forming an open nanoconduit between the vesicle and the capillary. The flexible lipid nanotubes created in this way can be expanded at the needle-connected end by means of positive injection pressure, to an extent that a new vesicle is formed (Fig. 1, stage IV). Constant subsequent injection of fluid from the needle allows the 'daughter' vesicle to grow to a size appropriate for deposition onto the substrate (Fig. 1, stage V). Iteration of this pulling and vesiclegeneration process enables the building of whole networks of interconnected containers, in which size, geometry and individual contents can be controlled. If a new needle with different internal solution is used for the generation of each new vesicle, a network with differentiated contents can be created. The composition of the internal volume of each newly created vesicle is determined by the size ratio of mother and daughter vesicles 30 .As the nanoconduits are open on both ends and thus truly interconnect the individual containers, exchange of internal solution, and chemical compounds dissolved therein, is possible. Different regimes of exchange of matter have been investigated by us. In particular, the transport of small molecules and nanoparticles by diffusion [31][32][33] , by membrane tension-driven (Marangoni) flow 3...

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“…Synthetic vesicles or liposomes based on phospholipids mixed with polyacetylene have been extensively used for mimicking cell membranes [5]. For this purpose, the molecular system as a bait molecule, since the first step for pore formation is believed to be the toxin binding to cholesterol.…”

Section: Mimicking Cell Membranes For Biosensingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Biomimetic vesicles can also serve as cell membrane models because, like liposomes, they have similar components and structure to cell membranes. They can therefore provide a simple platform to simplify the investigated system in the research into related interactions and physiological phenomena with cells [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomimetic vesicles for electrochemical sensing

Lebègue

Farre

Jose

et al. 2018

Current Opinion in Electrochemistry

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Biomimetic vesicles, mainly composed of self-assembled bilayers of phospholipids, have attracted great attention for applications in the biosensor field over a number of decades, as a means to amplify the signal through encapsulated signal probes. In this review paper the most important developments in biomimetic vesicles for electrochemical biosensing within the last 2 years are presented, with a focus on the format of bioassays, their inclusion in microfluidic chip devices and their use in mimicking cell membranes. Key issues and the remaining challenges for future commercialization are analyzed.

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Biomimetic approaches for studying membrane processes

Cited by 25 publications

References 79 publications

A Tethered Bilayer Assembled on Top of Immobilized Calmodulin to Mimic Cellular Compartmentalization

A Tethered Bilayer Assembled on Top of Immobilized Calmodulin to Mimic Cellular Compartmentalization

Generation of phospholipid vesicle-nanotube networks and transport of molecules therein

Biomimetic vesicles for electrochemical sensing

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