Dynamic Fusion of Nucleic Acid Functionalized Nano-/Micro-Cell-Like Containments: From Basic Concepts to Applications

Zhenzhen Li, Jianbang Wang, Michael P. O’Hagan, Fujian Huang*, Fan Xia*, Itamar Willner*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Membrane fusion processes play key roles in biological transformations, such as endocytosis/exocytosis, signal transduction, neurotransmission, or viral infections, and substantial research efforts have been directed to emulate these functions by artificial means. The recognition and dynamic reconfiguration properties of nucleic acids provide a versatile means to induce membrane fusion. Here we address recent advances in the functionalization of liposomes or membranes with structurally engineered lipidated nucleic acids guiding the fusion of cell-like containments, and the biophysical and chemical parameters controlling the fusion of the liposomes will be discussed. Intermembrane bridging by duplex or triplex nucleic acids and light-induced activation of membrane-associated nucleic acid constituents provide the means for spatiotemporal fusion of liposomes or nucleic acid modified liposome fusion with native cell membranes. The membrane fusion processes lead to exchange of loads in the fused containments and are a means to integrate functional assemblies. This is exemplified with the operation of biocatalytic cascades and dynamic DNA polymerization/nicking or transcription machineries in fused protocell systems. Membrane fusion processes of protocell assemblies are found to have important drug-delivery, therapeutic, sensing, and biocatalytic applications. The future challenges and perspectives of DNA-guided fused containments and membranes are addressed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)15308-15327
Number of pages20
JournalACS Nano
Volume17
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 Aug 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.

Keywords

  • biocatalysis
  • biophysics
  • liposome
  • nitrobenzyl phosphate
  • patterning
  • photodeprotection
  • protocell
  • sensor

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dynamic Fusion of Nucleic Acid Functionalized Nano-/Micro-Cell-Like Containments: From Basic Concepts to Applications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this