Compartmentalization and spatial organization of biochemical reactions are essential for the establishment of complex metabolic pathways inside synthetic cells. Phospholipid and fatty acid membranes are the most natural candidates for this purpose, but also polymers have shown great potential as enclosures of artificial cell mimics. Herein, we report on the formation of giant vesicles in a size range of 1 μm-100 μm using amphiphilic elastin-like polypeptides. The peptide vesicles can accommodate cell-free gene expression reactions, which is demonstrated by the transcription of a fluorescent RNA aptamer and the production of a fluorescent protein. Importantly, gene expression inside the vesicles leads to a strong growth of their size-up to an order of magnitude in volume in several cases-which is driven by changes in osmotic pressure, resulting in fusion events and uptake of membrane peptides from the environment.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/chem.202003366 | DOI Listing |
Front Cell Infect Microbiol
January 2025
Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
is a prevalent fungal pathogen responsible for infections in humans. As described recently, nanometer-sized extracellular vesicles (EVs) produced by play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of infection by facilitating host inflammatory responses and intercellular communication. This study investigates the functional properties of EVs released by biofilms formed by two strains-3147 (ATCC 10231) and SC5314-in eliciting host responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExpert Opin Drug Deliv
January 2025
Center for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, California, USA.
Introduction: Cyclic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are gaining attention as promising candidates in advanced drug delivery systems due to their structural stability, resistance to proteolytic degradation, and versatile therapeutic potential. Their unique properties enable applications that extend beyond combating multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Their amphipathic and cell-penetrating properties allow them to efficiently transport drugs across cellular membranes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLife Metab
April 2024
Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of School of Basic Medical Sciences and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
In addition to their pivotal roles in energy storage and expenditure, adipose tissues play a crucial part in the secretion of bioactive molecules, including peptides, lipids, metabolites, and extracellular vesicles, in response to physiological stimulation and metabolic stress. These secretory factors, through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, regulate various processes within adipose tissues. These processes include adipogenesis, glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation, and adaptive thermogenesis, all of which are essential for the maintenance of the balance and functionality of the adipose tissue micro-environment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActa Biomater
January 2025
Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, P. R. China. Electronic address:
Targeted organelle therapy is a promising therapeutic method for significantly regulating the tumor microenvironment, yet it often lacks effective strategies for leveraging synergistic enhancement effect. Engineered small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are expected to address this challenge due to their notable advantages in drug delivery, extended circulation time, and intercellular information transmission. Herein, we prepare sEVs with pH and photothermal dual-responsiveness, which are encapsulated with hydrogels for a quadruple-efficient synergistic therapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Biol Rep
January 2025
Medical Sociology and Psychobiology, Department of Health and Physical Activity, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany.
Background: Depression constitutes a risk factor for osteoporosis, but underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms are not fully understood. MiRNAs influence gene expression and are carried by extracellular vesicles (EV), affecting cell-cell communication.
Aims: (1) Identify the difference in miRNA expression between depressed patients and healthy controls; (2) Analyze associations of these miRNAs with bone turnover markers; (3) Analyze target genes of differentially regulated miRNAs and predict associated pathways regarding depression and bone metabolism.
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