Synthetic cell division via membrane-transforming molecular assemblies

Kretschmer, Simon; Ganzinger, Kristina A.; Franquelim, Henri G.; Schwille, Petra

doi:10.1186/s12915-019-0665-1

Cited by 63 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 104 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Membrane proteins that could be added include ion channels and ion pumps that span the whole bilayer membranes. Therefore, the membraneprotein systems introduced here provide promising and extendible modules for the bottom-up approach to synthetic biology [21][22][23] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Controlled division of cell-sized vesicles by low densities of membrane-bound proteins

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The proliferation of life on earth is based on the ability of single cells to divide into two daughter cells. During cell division, the plasma membrane undergoes a series of morphological transformations which ultimately lead to membrane fission. Here, we show that analogous remodeling processes can be induced by low densities of proteins bound to the membranes of cell-sized lipid vesicles. Using His-tagged fluorescent proteins, we are able to precisely control the spontaneous curvature of the vesicle membranes. By fine-tuning this curvature, we obtain dumbbell-shaped vesicles with closed membrane necks as well as neck fission and complete vesicle division. Our results demonstrate that the spontaneous curvature generates constriction forces around the membrane necks and that these forces can easily cover the force range found in vivo. Our approach involves only one species of membrane-bound proteins at low densities, thereby providing a simple and extendible module for bottom-up synthetic biology.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Controlled division of cell-sized vesicles by low densities of membrane-bound proteins

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The role of FtsZ in membrane invagination has been debated. Its ability to display intrinsic curvature in its polymeric state and deform various artificial membranes in vitro [ 39 ], led to a model in which the cytoplasmic membrane is pulled inward by Z-ring constriction during cytokinesis. However, it has also been suggested that FtsZ only serves as a scaffold onto which the peptidoglycan remodeling machinery assembles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inducible intracellular membranes: molecular aspects and emerging applications

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Membrane remodeling and phospholipid biosynthesis are normally tightly regulated to maintain the shape and function of cells. Indeed, different physiological mechanisms ensure a precise coordination between de novo phospholipid biosynthesis and modulation of membrane morphology. Interestingly, the overproduction of certain membrane proteins hijack these regulation networks, leading to the formation of impressive intracellular membrane structures in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The proteins triggering an abnormal accumulation of membrane structures inside the cells (or membrane proliferation) share two major common features: (1) they promote the formation of highly curved membrane domains and (2) they lead to an enrichment in anionic, cone-shaped phospholipids (cardiolipin or phosphatidic acid) in the newly formed membranes. Taking into account the available examples of membrane proliferation upon protein overproduction, together with the latest biochemical, biophysical and structural data, we explore the relationship between protein synthesis and membrane biogenesis. We propose a mechanism for the formation of these non-physiological intracellular membranes that shares similarities with natural inner membrane structures found in α-proteobacteria, mitochondria and some viruses-infected cells, pointing towards a conserved feature through evolution. We hope that the information discussed in this review will give a better grasp of the biophysical mechanisms behind physiological and induced intracellular membrane proliferation, and inspire new applications, either for academia (high-yield membrane protein production and nanovesicle production) or industry (biofuel production and vaccine preparation).

show abstract

“…For example, proteins with ENTH (Epsin NH2-Terminal Homology) domains in eukaryotes insert a wedged-shaped N-terminal amphipathic helix into the membrane, leading to curvature and deformation of the membrane (Figure 1a). ENTH-containing proteins are also involved in intrinsic curvature in its polymeric state and deform various artificial membranes in vitro (Kretschmer et al 2019), led to a model in which the cytoplasmic membrane is pulled inward by Z-ring constriction during cytokinesis. However, it has also been suggested that FtsZ only serves as a scaffold onto which the peptidoglycan remodeling machinery assembles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intracellular Membranes: Conserved Mechanisms of Formation and Regulation Throughout Evolution

Mir¹,

Biou²,

Dautin³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Membrane remodeling and phospholipid biosynthesis are normally tightly regulated to maintain the shape and function of cells. Indeed, different physiological mechanisms ensure a precise coordination between de novo phospholipid biosynthesis and modulation of membrane morphology. Interestingly, the overproduction of certain membrane proteins hijack these regulation networks, leading to the formation of impressive intracellular membrane structures in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The proteins triggering membrane proliferation share two major common features: 1) they promote the formation of highly curved membrane domains and 2) they lead to an enrichment in anionic, cone-shaped phospholipids (cardiolipin or phosphatidic acid) in the newly formed membranes. Taking into account the available examples of membrane proliferation upon protein overproduction, together with the latest biochemical, biophysical and structural data, we explore the relationship between protein synthesis and membrane biogenesis. We propose a mechanism for the formation of these non-physiological intracellular membranes that shares similarities with natural inner membrane structures found in α-proteobacteria, mitochondria and some viruses-infected cells, pointing towards a conserved feature through evolution. We hope that the information discussed in this review will give a better grasp of the biophysical mechanisms behind physiological and induced intracellular membrane proliferation, inspiring new biotechnological applications.

show abstract

Synthetic cell division via membrane-transforming molecular assemblies

Cited by 63 publications

References 104 publications

Controlled division of cell-sized vesicles by low densities of membrane-bound proteins

Controlled division of cell-sized vesicles by low densities of membrane-bound proteins

Inducible intracellular membranes: molecular aspects and emerging applications

Intracellular Membranes: Conserved Mechanisms of Formation and Regulation Throughout Evolution

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About