Colocalization Analysis of Lipo-Deoxyribozyme Consisting of DNA and Protic Catalysts in a Vesicle-Based Protocellular Membrane Investigated by Confocal Microscopy.

The linkage between the self-reproduction of compartments and the replication of DNA in a compartment is a crucial requirement for cellular life. In our giant vesicle (GV)-based model protocell, this linkage is achieved through the action of a supramolecular catalyst composed of membrane-intruded DNA and amphiphilic acid catalysts () in a GV membrane. In this study, we examined colocalization analysis for the formation of the supramolecular catalyst using a confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscope with high sensitivity and resolution.

Environment-Sensitive Intelligent Self-Reproducing Artificial Cell with a Modification-Active Lipo-Deoxyribozyme.

As a supramolecular micromachine with information flow, a giant vesicle (GV)-based artificial cell that exhibits a linked proliferation between GV reproduction and internal DNA amplification has been explored in this study. The linked proliferation is controlled by a complex consisting of GV membrane-intruded DNA with acidic amphiphilic catalysts, working overall as a lipo-deoxyribozyme. Here, we investigated how a GV-based artificial cell containing this lipo-deoxyribozyme responds to diverse external and internal environments, changing its proliferative dynamics.

DNA Length-dependent Division of a Giant Vesicle-based Model Protocell.

DNA is an essential carrier of sequence-based genetic information for all life today. However, the chemical and physical properties of DNA may also affect the structure and dynamics of a vesicle-based model protocell in which it is encapsulated. To test these effects, we constructed a polyethylene glycol-grafted giant vesicle system capable of undergoing growth and division.