Tunable Filtering of Chemical Signals in a Simple Nanoscale Reaction-Diffusion Network

Lizana, Ludvig; Konkoli, Zoran; Orwar, Owe

doi:10.1021/jp068313p

Cited by 17 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…They provide a transport pathway for a continuous influx of molecules through the network, by which larger molecules can potentially also be transported. The transport of molecules or particles through nanotubes occurs by diffusion 40,41 , or is tension-driven (Marangoni flow) 14,15 . The transport phenomena within the nanotube networks have not been investigated here, but the earlier established evidence of nanotube-enhanced transport between lipid vesicles combined with the involvement of nanotubes in the fusion process, as elucidated in this study, points to a beneficial contribution of an existing tubular network for growth, transport and fusion of protocells.…”

Section: Mechanism Of Rapid Growth and Fusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid growth and fusion of protocells in surface-adhered membrane networks

Köksal

Liese

Xue

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Elevated temperatures might have promoted the nucleation, growth and replication of protocells on the early Earth. Recent reports have shown evidence that moderately high temperatures not only permit protocell assembly at the origin of life, but could have actively supported it. Here we show the fast nucleation and growth of vesicular compartments from autonomously formed lipid networks on solid surfaces, induced by a moderate increase in temperature. Branches of the networks, initially consisting of self-assembled interconnected nanotubes, rapidly swell into microcompartments which can spontaneously encapsulate RNA fragments. The increase in temperature further causes fusion of adjacent networkconnected compartments, resulting in the redistribution of the RNA. The experimental observations and the mathematical model indicate that the presence of nanotubular interconnections between protocells facilitates the fusion process.The important role of solid surface support for the autonomous formation of primitive protocells has been suggested earlier in the context of the origin of life 1,2 . Hanczyc, Szostak et al. showed that vesicle formation from fatty acids was significantly enhanced in the presence of solid particle surfaces consisting of natural minerals or synthetic materials 1,2 . Particularly the silicate-based minerals accelerated the vesicle generation.In a recent report, we showed the autonomous formation and growth of surface adhered protocell populations as a result of a sequence of topological transformations on a solid substrate 3 . Briefly, upon contact with a mineral-like solid substrate, a lipid reservoir spreads as a double bilayer membrane. The distal membrane (upper -with respect to the surface-) ruptures and forms a carpet of lipid nanotubes. Over the course of a few hours, fragments of these nanotubes swell into giant, strictly unilamellar vesicular compartments. This relatively slow process is entirely self-driven and only requires a lipid reservoir as source, a solid surface, and surrounding aqueous media. The resulting structure consists of thousands of lipid compartments, which are physically connected to each other via a

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Section: Mechanism Of Rapid Growth and Fusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid growth and fusion of protocells in surface-adhered membrane networks

Köksal

Liese

Xue

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…Theoretical studies modeling nanotube–vesicle topologies show that network geometry influences the result and can be used to describe how content concentrations in involved vesicles evolve over time. 94 The effects of compartmentalization on diffusional modification have been investigated in NVNs 95 (Figure 9.1), illustrating how diffusion can be harnessed.…”

Section: Transfer and Transport Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intercellular nanotubes: insights from imaging studies and beyond

Hurtig

Chiu

Önfelt

2010

WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol

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Cell-cell communication is critical to the development, maintenance, and function of multicellular organisms. Classical mechanisms for intercellular communication include secretion of molecules into the extracellular space and transport of small molecules through gap junctions. Recent reports suggest that cells also can communicate over long distances via a network of transient intercellular nanotubes. Such nanotubes have been shown to mediate intercellular transfer of organelles as well as membrane components and cytoplasmic molecules. Moreover, intercellular nanotubes have been observed in vivo and have been shown to enhance the transmission of pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 and prions in vitro. These studies indicate that intercellular nanotubes may play a role both in normal physiology and in disease.

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“…Different regimes of exchange of matter have been investigated by us. In particular, the transport of small molecules and nanoparticles by diffusion [31][32][33] , by membrane tension-driven (Marangoni) flow 34 and through electrophoretic migration 35,36 were studied in detail (Fig. 1, stage VI).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Generation of phospholipid vesicle-nanotube networks and transport of molecules therein

et al. 2011

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We describe micromanipulation and microinjection procedures for the fabrication of soft-matter networks consisting of lipid bilayer nanotubes and surface-immobilized vesicles. these biomimetic membrane systems feature unique structural flexibility and expandability and, unlike solid-state microfluidic and nanofluidic devices prepared by top-down fabrication, they allow network designs with dynamic control over individual containers and interconnecting conduits. the fabrication is founded on self-assembly of phospholipid molecules, followed by micromanipulation operations, such as membrane electroporation and microinjection, to effect shape transformations of the membrane and create a series of interconnected compartments. size and geometry of the network can be chosen according to its desired function. Membrane composition is controlled mainly during the self-assembly step, whereas the interior contents of individual containers is defined through a sequence of microneedle injections. networks cannot be fabricated with other currently available methods of giant unilamellar vesicle preparation (large unilamellar vesicle fusion or electroformation). Described in detail are also three transport modes, which are suitable for moving water-soluble or membranebound small molecules, polymers, Dna, proteins and nanoparticles within the networks. the fabrication protocol requires ~90 min, provided all necessary preparations are made in advance. the transport studies require an additional 60-120 min, depending on the transport regime. 20,29 . Once a needle is inside a GUV, the bilayer tightly seals around the tip. The adhesion of the membrane is typically strong enough to allow the pulling of lipid material from the membrane, thereby instantly forming an open nanoconduit between the vesicle and the capillary. The flexible lipid nanotubes created in this way can be expanded at the needle-connected end by means of positive injection pressure, to an extent that a new vesicle is formed (Fig. 1, stage IV). Constant subsequent injection of fluid from the needle allows the 'daughter' vesicle to grow to a size appropriate for deposition onto the substrate (Fig. 1, stage V). Iteration of this pulling and vesiclegeneration process enables the building of whole networks of interconnected containers, in which size, geometry and individual contents can be controlled. If a new needle with different internal solution is used for the generation of each new vesicle, a network with differentiated contents can be created. The composition of the internal volume of each newly created vesicle is determined by the size ratio of mother and daughter vesicles 30 .As the nanoconduits are open on both ends and thus truly interconnect the individual containers, exchange of internal solution, and chemical compounds dissolved therein, is possible. Different regimes of exchange of matter have been investigated by us. In particular, the transport of small molecules and nanoparticles by diffusion [31][32][33] , by membrane tension-driven (Marangoni) flow 3...

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Tunable Filtering of Chemical Signals in a Simple Nanoscale Reaction-Diffusion Network

Cited by 17 publications

References 27 publications

Rapid growth and fusion of protocells in surface-adhered membrane networks

Rapid growth and fusion of protocells in surface-adhered membrane networks

Intercellular nanotubes: insights from imaging studies and beyond

Generation of phospholipid vesicle-nanotube networks and transport of molecules therein

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