Tuning interfacial fluidity and colloidal stability of membranized coacervate protocells

  • Commun Chem. 2024 Jun 3;7(1):122. doi: 10.1038/s42004-024-01193-4.
Yanglimin Ji  1  2 ,  Yan Qiao  3  4
Affiliations
  • 1. Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100190, Beijing, China.
  • 2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
  • 3. Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100190, Beijing, China. [email protected].
  • 4. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China. [email protected].
PMID: 38831043 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01193-4
Abstract

The cell membrane not only serves as the boundary between the cell's interior and the external environment but also plays a crucial role in regulating fundamental cellular behaviours. Interfacial membranization of membraneless coacervates, formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), represents a reliable approach to constructing hierarchical cell-like entities known as protocells. In this study, we demonstrate the capability to modulate the interfacial membrane fluidity and thickness of dextran-bound coacervate protocells by adjusting the molecular weight of dextran or utilizing dextranase-catalyzed hydrolysis. This modulation allows for rational control over colloidal stability, interfacial molecular transport and cell-protocell interactions. Our work opens a new avenue for surface engineering of coacervate protocells, enabling the establishment of cell-mimicking structures and behaviours.

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