Cash Brock, Gaut Nathaniel J, Deich Christopher, Johnson Laura L, Engelhart Aaron E, Adamala Katarzyna P
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.
ACS Omega. 2023 Feb 10;8(7):7045-7056. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07911. eCollection 2023 Feb 21.
Synthetic minimal cells provide a controllable and engineerable model for biological processes. While much simpler than any live natural cell, synthetic cells offer a chassis for investigating the chemical foundations of key biological processes. Herein, we show a synthetic cell system with host cells, interacting with parasites and undergoing infections of varying severity. We demonstrate how the host can be engineered to resist infection, we investigate the metabolic cost of carrying resistance, and we show an inoculation that immunizes the host against pathogens. Our work expands the synthetic cell engineering toolbox by demonstrating host-pathogen interactions and mechanisms for acquiring immunity. This brings synthetic cell systems one step closer to providing a comprehensive model of complex, natural life.
合成最小细胞为生物过程提供了一个可控且可工程化的模型。虽然比任何天然活细胞都要简单得多，但合成细胞为研究关键生物过程的化学基础提供了一个框架。在此，我们展示了一个与寄生虫相互作用并经历不同严重程度感染的含宿主细胞的合成细胞系统。我们展示了如何对宿主进行工程改造以抵抗感染，研究了携带抗性的代谢成本，并展示了一种使宿主对病原体产生免疫的接种方法。我们的工作通过展示宿主 - 病原体相互作用以及获得免疫的机制，扩展了合成细胞工程工具箱。这使合成细胞系统更接近于提供一个复杂自然生命的全面模型。
