Dynamic lipid aptamers: non-polymeric chemical path to early life

Kahana, Amit; Maslov, Svetlana; Lancet, Doron

doi:10.1039/d1cs00633a

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…An odor could directly bind (1) to the odor receptor through the mucus, or the odor could bind and change the fluidity or structure of the lipid membrane (2) to enhance odorant access to the odor receptors, depending on the partitioning of the odorant into the lipid bilayer. The accumulation of odorants in the lipid bilayer may lead to structural changes (3), for instance raft-like structures that could regulate one or more of the membrane-bound proteins illustrated in Figure 7 [ 27 , 34 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The activity of several GPCRs has been found to be regulated by lipid composition, for instance the cholesterol content of the lipid membrane [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Combinations of lipids have been proposed to play more than just a supporting role for proteins in biological systems [ 33 , 34 , 35 ]. For instance, in a model system it was shown that aggregates of lipid-like molecules can demonstrate molecular recognition as a kind of supramolecular aptamer [ 35 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Odor Discrimination by Lipid Membranes

et al. 2023

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Odor detection and discrimination in mammals is known to be initiated by membrane-bound G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The role that the lipid membrane may play in odor discrimination, however, is less well understood. Here, we used model membrane systems to test the hypothesis that phospholipid bilayer membranes may be capable of odor discrimination. The effect of S-carvone, R-carvone, and racemic lilial on the model membrane systems was investigated. The odorants were found to affect the fluidity of supported lipid bilayers as measured by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). The effect of odorants on surface-supported lipid multilayer microarrays of different dimensions was also investigated. The lipid multilayer micro- and nanostructure was highly sensitive to exposure to these odorants. Fluorescently-labeled lipid multilayer droplets of 5-micron diameter were more responsive to these odorants than ethanol controls. Arrays of lipid multilayer diffraction gratings distinguished S-carvone from R-carvone in an artificial nose assay. Our results suggest that lipid bilayer membranes may play a role in odorant discrimination and molecular recognition in general.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Odor Discrimination by Lipid Membranes

et al. 2023

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“…This is even more so since all these structures are highly dynamic [ 27 ]. They easily form and disintegrate under cyclic conditions such as wet–dry cycling or periodic phase transitions [ 26 ], and they may have even undergone steps of self-organization on their own [ 32 , 33 ]. In addition, and this may be the most important aspect, they themselves can be subject to a second stage of selection.…”

Section: The Potential Nature Of a “Selector”mentioning

confidence: 99%

Spontaneous Formation of Functional Structures in Messy Environments

Mayer

2022

Life

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Even though prebiotic chemistry initially deals with simple molecules, its composition rapidly gains complexity with oligomerization. Starting with, e.g., 20 monomers (such as the 20 proteinogenic amino acids), we expect 400 different dimers, 3,200,000 pentamers, or more than 1013 decamers. Hence, the starting conditions are very messy but also form a very powerful pool of potentially functional oligomers. A selecting structure (a “selector” such as membrane multilayers or vesicles) may pick and accumulate those molecules from the pool that fulfill a simple function (such as the suitability to integrate into a bilayer membrane). If this “selector” is, in turn, subject to a superimposed selection in a periodic process, the accumulated oligomers may be further trimmed to fulfill more complex functions, which improve the survival rate of the selectors. Successful oligomers will be passed from generation to generation and further improved in subsequent steps. After thousands of generations, the selector, together with its integrated oligomers, can form a functional unit of considerable order and complexity. The actual power of this process of random formation and selection has already been shown in laboratory experiments. In this concept paper, earlier results are summarized and brought into a new context.

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“…In this case, mutual-catalysis describes the predicted capacity of lipids to modify the rates of entry and exit of other lipid types to and from a micellar assembly, though synthetic reactions have also been explored in the context of the GARD model [11]. The model predicts that the micellar lipids act on accreting lipids in a coordinated fashion, as observed in published reports [12,14]. These catalytic exertions may lead to compositional homeostasis, a unique state in which the assembly's composition remains unchanged throughout growth-and-split cycles [11,15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Micellar Composition Affects Lipid Accretion Kinetics in Molecular Dynamics Simulations: Support for Lipid Network Reproduction

Kahana

Lancet

Palmai

2022

Life

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Mixed lipid micelles were proposed to facilitate life through their documented growth dynamics and catalytic properties. Our previous research predicted that micellar self-reproduction involves catalyzed accretion of lipid molecules by the residing lipids, leading to compositional homeostasis. Here, we employ atomistic Molecular Dynamics simulations, beginning with 54 lipid monomers, tracking an entire course of micellar accretion. This was done to examine the self-assembly of variegated lipid clusters, allowing us to measure entry and exit rates of monomeric lipids into pre-micelles with different compositions and sizes. We observe considerable rate-modifications that depend on the assembly composition and scrutinize the underlying mechanisms as well as the energy contributions. Lastly, we describe the measured potential for compositional homeostasis in our simulated mixed micelles. This affirms the basis for micellar self-reproduction, with implications for the study of the origin of life.

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Dynamic lipid aptamers: non-polymeric chemical path to early life

Abstract: Mixed lipid assemblies form dynamic aptamers that possess protein-like stereospecific recognition. This capacity can mediate assembly self-reproduction, supporting an early role for lipids in life's origin.

Cited by 8 publications

References 42 publications

Odor Discrimination by Lipid Membranes

Odor Discrimination by Lipid Membranes

Spontaneous Formation of Functional Structures in Messy Environments

Micellar Composition Affects Lipid Accretion Kinetics in Molecular Dynamics Simulations: Support for Lipid Network Reproduction

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