title: Protein Synthesis in Sub-Micrometer Water-in-Oil Droplets.
abstract: Water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions are used as a cellular model because of their unique cell-like architecture. Previous works showed the capability of eukaryotic-cell-sized w/o droplets (5-50 μm) to support protein synthesis efficiently; however data about smaller w/o compartments (<1 μm) are lacking. This work focuses on the biosynthesis of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) inside sub-micrometric lecithin-based w/o droplets (0.8-1 μm) and on its dependence on the compartments' dynamic properties in terms of solute exchange mechanisms. We demonstrated that protein synthesis is strongly affected by the nature of the lipid interface. These findings could be of value and interest for both basic and applied research.
authors.affiliation: Science Department, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.affiliation: Science Department, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stano
authors.affiliation: Science Department, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy. luisi@mat.ethz.ch.
authors.forename: Pier Luigi
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Luisi
mesh_terms: D002474:Cell-Free System / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000441:Hexanols / Q000737:chemistry; D054709:Lecithins / Q000737:chemistry; D009821:Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D000441:Hexanols; D054709:Lecithins; D009821:Oils; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; D014867:Water; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; C036260:1-hexanol; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: cell-free protein synthesis; microcompartments; solvent effects; surfactants; water-in-oil emulsions