title: Giant Polymersome Protocells Dock with Virus Particle Mimics via Multivalent Glycan-Lectin Interactions.
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.
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
authors: Artur
authors: A
authors: Kubilis
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Abdulkarim
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
authors: Ahmed M
authors: AM
authors: Eissa
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
authors: Neil R
authors: NR
authors: Cameron
mesh_terms: D058045:Artificial Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane; D037102:Lectins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D053835:Unilamellar Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014771:Virion / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D037102:Lectins; D008081:Liposomes; D010743:Phospholipids; D011134:Polysaccharides; D053835:Unilamellar Liposomes