Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Achieving autonomous motion is a central objective in designing artificial cells that mimic biological cells in form and function. Cellular motion often involves complex multiprotein machineries, which are challenging to reconstitute in vitro. Here we achieve persistent motion of cell-sized liposomes. These small artificial vesicles are driven by a direct mechanochemical feedback loop between the MinD and MinE protein systems of Escherichia coli and the liposome membrane. Membrane-binding Min proteins self-organize asymmetrically around the liposomes, which results in shape deformation and generates a mechanical force gradient leading to motion. The protein distribution responds to the deformed liposome shape through the inherent geometry sensitivity of the reaction–diffusion dynamics of the Min proteins. We show that such a mechanochemical feedback loop between liposome and Min proteins is sufficient to drive continuous motion. Our combined experimental and theoretical study provides a starting point for the future design of motility features in artificial cells.
Source: Nature Physics
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $11,690
Funders: Joachim Herz Stiftung, European Commission, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Sächsisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst, Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie, Max-Planck-Institut für Bildungsforschung
Awards: G1242026511, The LMU Research Fellowship Program: Promoting excellent early-stage postdoctoral researchers at LMU Munich, G177703080, G1870255825, G1897041155, G2683058412, G2837453184, G3984487147, G4066435496, G434337789, EXC 2094: ORIGINS: Vom Ursprung des Universums bis zu den ersten Bausteinen des Lebens, SFB 1032: Nanoagenzien zur raumzeitlichen Kontrolle molekularer und zellulärer Reaktionen, SFB 863: Kräfte in biomolekularen Systemen, TRR 174: Räumlichezeitliche Dynamik bakterieller Zellen, G6396391827
OpenAlex ID: W4376609178