Light-induced propulsion of a giant liposome driven by peptide nanofibre growth

Abstract

Light-driven nano/micromotors are attracting much attention, not only as molecular devices but also as components of bioinspired robots. In nature, several pathogens such as Listeria use actin polymerisation machinery for their propulsion. Despite the development of various motors, it remains challenging to mimic natural systems to create artificial motors propelled by fibre formation. Herein, we report the propulsion of giant liposomes driven by light-induced peptide nanofibre growth on their surface. Peptide-DNA conjugates connected by a photocleavage unit were asymmetrically introduced onto phase-separated giant liposomes. Ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation cleaved the conjugates and released peptide units, which self-assembled into nanofibres, driving the translational movement of the liposomes. The velocity of the liposomes reflected the rates of the photocleavage reaction and subsequent fibre formation of the peptide-DNA conjugates. These results showed that chemical design of the light-induced peptide nanofibre formation is a useful approach to fabricating bioinspired motors with controllable motility.

Self-Propulsion Strategies for Artificial Cell-Like Compartments

“…By modifying the solvent mixture used for polymer dissolution we can manipulate the rates at which the organic solvent is expelled by dialysis from the inner aqueous compartment. membrane occurred in THF compared to dioxane 34 . Therefore, a higher content of THF was expected to keep the membrane flexible for a longer period of time during the transformation and result in a decrease in the size of the opening.…”

“…This is normally achieved by creating a structural asymmetry in the liposome. Mimicking the actin polymerisation machinery that is used by the bacterium listeria for locomotion inside a host cell, Inaba et al have reported the propulsion of giant asymmetric liposomes driven by light-induced peptide nanofibre growth on their surface [34]. Peptide-DNA conjugates connected by a photocleavable unit were asymmetrically introduced onto phase-separated asymmetric giant liposomes.…”

Development of Chemical Biology Tools Focusing on Peptide/Amide Bond Cleavage Reaction

“…Several Spr-containing peptides were already used to control function of peptides/ proteins in living cells. 14,16,21) Spr has been recently employed by some other groups for in-cell imaging of a protein of interest, 21) UV-induced propulsion of a giant liposome, 22) UV-triggered nanofiber formation, 23) and tumor-targeting therapy. 24) Application of Spr in topics not mentioned in this paper 14,17,18,25,26) are detailed in our recent review.…”

Peptide Nanomaterials Designed from Natural Supramolecular Systems

“…For instance, actin polymerization on the surface of Listeria monocytogenes was initiated by transmembrane protein ActA, resulting in a local network of actin filaments called an “actin comet tail”, which provides a powerful force to propel the bacteria through the cytoplasm of host cells (Figure a) ,. Inspired by the natural fiber‐induced propulsion, we created a light‐induced propulsion system based on spatiotemporally controlled peptide nanofiber growth using peptide‐DNA conjugates (Figure b) . In our design, a peptide nanofiber‐forming unit (FKFEFKFE) with a photocleavage unit was asymmetrically conjugated on the surface of phase‐separated giant liposomes via DNA hybridization of the addressing unit (dA 20 ).…”