Bottom-up assembly of a light-driven ATP regeneration module in lipid, polymer and hybrid vesicles [article]

Christin Kleineberg, Universitäts- Und Landesbibliothek Sachsen-Anhalt, Martin-Luther Universität
2021
The ability to design artificial protocells from modular building blocks, holds among others great promise for biotechnological application as well as for solving the origin of life puzzle. One of the major components of a minimal biological system is energy regeneration to carry out activities, such as growth, movement or reproduction. This thesis comprises the construction of a light-driven ATP regeneration module from molecular building blocks. Therefore, two proteins, Bacteriorhodopsin and
more » ... TP synthase are integrated in suitable compartments. Both enzymes are first investigated separately and are afterwards combined to form a light-driven ATP regeneration module. Optimization of different factors that influence synthesis rates, enabled the generation of ATP production rates up to 4.5 μM ATP (mg ATP synthase)-1(min-1). Keeping the bioactivity of energy converting proteins high for longer is of high relevance in biotechnology applications as well as when planning to create a minimal cell from bottom-up. Therefore, a detailed study of membrane protein functionality over time in different hybrid compartments made of graft polymer PDMS-g-PEO and diblock copolymer PBd-PEO is presented. Activity of more than 90% in lipid/polymer hybrid vesicles compared to conventional liposomes proves an excellent biocompatibility. A significant enhancement of long-term stability (80% remaining activity after 42 days) is demonstrated in polymer/polymer-based hybrids. The combination with other functional modules confirmed the capability of the ATP module to serve as energy supply to efficiently power metabolic pathways or movement in artificial protocells.
doi:10.25673/38469 fatcat:44wlzygpfbgbzmhbpxolnpzcrm