Nanotube-vesicle networks with functionalized membranes and interiors.
We describe nanotube-vesicle networks with reconstituted membrane protein from cells and with interior activity defined by an injection of microparticles or molecular probes. The functionality of a membrane protein after reconstitution was verified by single-channel ion conductance measurements in excised inside-out patches from the vesicle membranes. The distribution of protein, determined by fluorescence detection, in the network membrane was homogeneous and could diffuse via a nanotube connecting two vesicles. We also show how injecting small unilamellar protein-containing vesicles can differentiate the contents of individual containers in a network. The combination of membrane activity and interior activity was demonstrated by ionophore-assisted accumulation, and internal Calcium Green-mediated detection, of Ca2+ within a single network container. This system can model a variety of biological functions and complex biological multicompartment structures and might serve as a platform for constructing complex sensor and computational devices.
Davidson
Max
M
Department of Chemistry, Göteborg University, Sweden.
Karlsson
Mattias
M
Sinclair
Jon
J
Sott
Kristin
K
Orwar
Owe
O
D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D015388:Organelles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D008081:Liposomes; D008565:Membrane Proteins