Transport among protocells <i>via</i> tunneling nanotubes

Schanke, Ingrid Jin; Xue, Lin; Spustová, Karolína; Gözen, İrep

doi:10.1039/d2nr02290g

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 45 publications

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“…In order to perform the encapsulation experiments, we conceived a method to address a single superstructure with fluorescently labeled ssDNA (20 nucleobases). , We used a hydrodynamically confined flow device for local superfusion. ,− This way, we achieved complete control over the chemical environment around a selected superstructure without buildup of the superfusion agents in the ambient buffer. We can turn on/off the superfusion (gray background in Figure i) and observe the results in real time with confocal microscopy.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Colony-like Protocell Superstructures

et al. 2023

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We report the formation, growth, and dynamics of model protocell superstructures on solid surfaces, resembling single cell colonies. These structures, consisting of several layers of lipidic compartments enveloped in a dome-shaped outer lipid bilayer, emerged as a result of spontaneous shape transformation of lipid agglomerates deposited on thin film aluminum surfaces. Collective protocell structures were observed to be mechanically more stable compared to isolated spherical compartments. We show that the model colonies encapsulate DNA and accommodate nonenzymatic, strand displacement DNA reactions. The membrane envelope is able to disassemble and expose individual daughter protocells, which can migrate and attach via nanotethers to distant surface locations, while maintaining their encapsulated contents. Some colonies feature "exocompartments", which spontaneously extend out of the enveloping bilayer, internalize DNA, and merge again with the superstructure. A continuum elastohydrodynamic theory that we developed suggests that a plausible driving force behind subcompartment formation is attractive van der Waals (vdW) interactions between the membrane and surface. The balance between membrane bending and vdW interactions yields a critical length scale of 236 nm, above which the membrane invaginations can form subcompartments. The findings support our hypotheses that in extension of the "lipid world hypothesis", protocells may have existed in the form of colonies, potentially benefiting from the increased mechanical stability provided by a superstructure.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Colony-like Protocell Superstructures

et al. 2023

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Autonomous Development of Compositional Diversity in Self‐Spreading Flat Protocells

Gözen,

Mann,

Jesorka

2024

ChemSystemsChem

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An experimental pathway to the spontaneous generation of compositionally diverse synthetic protocells is presented. The pathway is initiated by flat giant unilamellar vesicles (FGUVs) that originate from compositionally different multilamellar lipid reservoirs and undergo spontaneous spreading across solid surfaces. On contact, the spreading FGUVs merge to produce a concentration gradient in membrane lipids across the fusion interface. Subsequent reconstruction through a series of shape transformations produces a network of nanotube‐connected lipid vesicles that inherit different ratios of the membrane constituents derived from the bilayers of the parent FGUVs. The fusion process leads to the engulfment of small FGUVs by larger FGUVs, mimicking predator‐prey behavior in which the observable characteristics of the prey are lost but the constituents are carried by the predator FGUV to the next generation of lipid vesicles. We speculate that our results could provide a feasible pathway to autonomous protocell diversification in origin of life theories and highlight the possible role of solid surfaces in the development of diversity and rudimentary speciation of natural protocells on the early Earth.

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