Reaction-Diffusion Patterning of DNA-Based Artificial Cells

J Am Chem Soc. 2022 Sep 28;144(38):17468-17476. doi: 10.1021/jacs.2c06140. Epub 2022 Sep 14.

Abstract

Biological cells display complex internal architectures with distinct micro environments that establish the chemical heterogeneity needed to sustain cellular functions. The continued efforts to create advanced cell mimics, namely, artificial cells, demands strategies for constructing similarly heterogeneous structures with localized functionalities. Here, we introduce a platform for constructing membraneless artificial cells from the self-assembly of synthetic DNA nanostructures in which internal domains can be established thanks to prescribed reaction-diffusion waves. The method, rationalized through numerical modeling, enables the formation of up to five distinct concentric environments in which functional moieties can be localized. As a proof-of-concept, we apply this platform to build DNA-based artificial cells in which a prototypical nucleus synthesizes fluorescent RNA aptamers that then accumulate in a surrounding storage shell, thus demonstrating the spatial segregation of functionalities reminiscent of that observed in biological cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide*
  • Artificial Cells*
  • DNA / chemistry
  • Diffusion
  • Nanostructures* / chemistry

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • DNA