Synthetic control of actin polymerization and symmetry breaking in active protocells.
Sci Adv
; 10(24): eadk9731, 2024 Jun 14.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38865458
ABSTRACT
Nonlinear biomolecular interactions on membranes drive membrane remodeling crucial for biological processes including chemotaxis, cytokinesis, and endocytosis. The complexity of biomolecular interactions, their redundancy, and the importance of spatiotemporal context in membrane organization impede understanding of the physical principles governing membrane mechanics. Developing a minimal in vitro system that mimics molecular signaling and membrane remodeling while maintaining physiological fidelity poses a major challenge. Inspired by chemotaxis, we reconstructed chemically regulated actin polymerization inside vesicles, guiding membrane self-organization. An external, undirected chemical input induced directed actin polymerization and membrane deformation uncorrelated with upstream biochemical cues, suggesting symmetry breaking. A biophysical model incorporating actin dynamics and membrane mechanics proposes that uneven actin distributions cause nonlinear membrane deformations, consistent with experimental findings. This protocellular system illuminates the interplay between actin dynamics and membrane shape during symmetry breaking, offering insights into chemotaxis and other cell biological processes.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Cell Membrane
/
Actins
/
Polymerization
/
Artificial Cells
Language:
En
Journal:
Sci Adv
Year:
2024
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States