Giant Polymersome Protocells Dock with Virus Particle Mimics via Multivalent Glycan-Lectin Interactions

Kubilis, Artus; Abdulkarima, Ali; Eissa, Ahmed M; Cameron, Neil R

Abstract

Despite the low complexity of their components, several simple physical systems, including microspheres, coacervate droplets and phospholipid membrane structures (liposomes), have been suggested as protocell models. These, however, lack key cellular characteristics, such as the ability to replicate or to dock with extracellular species. Here, we report a simple method for the de novo creation of synthetic cell mimics in the form of giant polymeric vesicles (polymersomes), which are capable of behavior approaching that of living cells. These polymersomes form by self-assembly, under electroformation conditions, of amphiphilic, glycosylated block copolymers in aqueous solution. The glycosylated exterior of the resulting polymeric giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) allows their selective interaction with carbohydrate-binding receptor-functionalized particles, in a manner reminiscent of the cell-surface docking of virus particles. We believe that this is the first example of a simple protocell model displaying cell-like behavior through a native receptor-ligand interaction.

Citation

Kubilis, A., Abdulkarima, A., Eissa, A. M., & Cameron, N. R. (2016). Giant Polymersome Protocells Dock with Virus Particle Mimics via Multivalent Glycan-Lectin Interactions. Scientific Reports, 6, Article 32414. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep32414

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 9, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Aug 31, 2016
• Publication Date: Aug 31, 2016
• Deposit Date: Oct 5, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 5, 2016
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Electronic ISSN: 2045-2322
• Publisher: Nature Research
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Article Number: 32414
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep32414
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1374978