Self-Assembled Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum-Like Proto-Organelles

Abstract

SummaryNature has evolved elaborate, dynamic organelle morphologies for optimal organelle functions. Among them, cisternae stacks are the universal structure for most organelles. However, compared with the well-studied spherical cell/organelle membrane mimic, the fabrication of the ubiquitously present cisternal organelle-like membrane structures for organelle mimic remains a challenging task. Herein, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)-like helicoidal cisternae stacks were assembled to mimic the enzyme crowded environment in spatially confined RER cisternae. RER-like single helicoid, multiple helicoids, and secondary helix are all observed. Membrane electrostatics drives their formation and controls the percentages, which indicates the possible role of membrane electrostatics in RER shaping. The organelle-like cisternae stacks can reversibly expand and compress, which provides modulated crowded or de-crowded enzyme environment for biochemical reactions. This work provides advanced membrane models, and novel mechanisms for organelle shaping and helicoids formation, and holds great potential in biomimetics, cell biology, and advanced materials design.

Programmed magnetic manipulation of vesicles into spatially coded prototissue architectures arrays

“…Before using it for GUVs assembly, the device was firstly treated in below procedure to avoid GUVs rupture during GUVs entrapment experiments. A total of 200 μL of DPPC ethanol-water solution with ethanol volume percentage of 40% and DPPC concentration of 0.10 mg mL −1 (similar composition used for bicelles formation [38][39][40] by us) were added in the cell. The device was then heated at 50°C for 5 min, and washed using 133 mM MnCl 2 solution for at least three times, resulting in the formation of supported DPPC membranes on the cover slip and SS mesh.…”

Versatile Phospholipid Assemblies for Functional Synthetic Cells and Artificial Tissues

“…Stacked bicelles incorporated with charged lipids can transform to rough endoplasmic reticulum‐like helicoidal cisternae stacks. [ 9 ]…”

“…Recently, micro‐sized nonspherical protoorganelles were fabricated by our group. [ 8,9 ] Grana‐like cisternae stacked structures were obtained by the expanding of stacked bicelles when they were dispersed in water ( Figure a). [ 8,9 ] The upper row is the schematic drawing of a stacked cisternae formation from a bicelle, while the lower row is the corresponding experimental images.…”

“…[ 8,9 ] Grana‐like cisternae stacked structures were obtained by the expanding of stacked bicelles when they were dispersed in water ( Figure a). [ 8,9 ] The upper row is the schematic drawing of a stacked cisternae formation from a bicelle, while the lower row is the corresponding experimental images. Besides the similarity in terms of structure, the cisternae stacks were used to mimic their “breathing” property, that is, the reversible compression and expansion regulated by different solutions.…”

“…Cell membrane sets the barrier to distinguish the interior of the cell with outside environment to enable it to be an autonomous system, while organelle membranes not only form functional compartments inside cells, but also provide platforms for cell metabolism. The phospholipid assemblies include vesicles, [ 5–7 ] cisternae stacks, [ 8,9 ] tubes, [ 10–12 ] bicelles, [ 8,9,13–15 ] and cones. [ 16 ] They play important roles in cell functions.…”