Design and construction of higher order structure and function in proteinosome based protocells.
The design and construction of higher order structure and function in proteinosome microcompartments enclosed by a cross linked membrane of amphiphilic bovine serum albumin/poly(N isopropylacrylamide) (BSA NH2/PNIPAAm) nanoconjugates is described. Three structure/function relationships are investigated: (i) differential chemical cross linking for the control of membrane disassembly and regulated release of encapsulated genetic polymers; (ii) enzyme mediated hydrogel structuring of the internal microenvironment to increase mechanical robustness and generate a molecularly crowded reaction environment; and (iii) self production of a membrane enclosing outer hydrogel wall for generating protease resistant forms of the protein polymer protocells. Our results highlight the potential of integrating aspects of supramolecular and polymer chemistry into the design and construction of novel bioinspired microcompartments as a step toward small scale materials systems based on synthetic cellularity.
Journal of the American Chemical Society