Novosedlik Sebastian, Reichel Felix, van Veldhuisen Thijs, Li Yudong, Wu Hanglong, Janssen Henk, Guck Jochen, van Hest Jan
Department of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
SyMO-Chem B.V., Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Nat Chem. 2025 Mar;17(3):356-364. doi: 10.1038/s41557-024-01697-5. Epub 2025 Jan 3.
The cytoskeleton is a crucial determinant of mammalian cell structure and function, providing mechanical resilience, supporting the cell membrane and orchestrating essential processes such as cell division and motility. Because of its fundamental role in living cells, developing a reconstituted or artificial cytoskeleton is of major interest. Here we present an approach to construct an artificial cytoskeleton that imparts mechanical support and regulates membrane dynamics. Our system involves amylose-based coacervates stabilized by a terpolymer membrane, with a cytoskeleton formed from polydiacetylene fibrils. The fibrils bundle due to interactions with the positively charged amylose derivative, forming micrometre-sized structures mimicking a cytoskeleton. Given the intricate interplay between cellular structure and function, the design and integration of this artificial cytoskeleton represent a crucial advancement, paving the way for the development of artificial cell platforms exhibiting enhanced life-like behaviour.
细胞骨架是哺乳动物细胞结构和功能的关键决定因素，它提供机械弹性，支撑细胞膜，并协调细胞分裂和运动等重要过程。由于其在活细胞中的基础作用，构建重组或人工细胞骨架备受关注。在此，我们提出一种构建人工细胞骨架的方法，该骨架能提供机械支撑并调节膜动力学。我们的系统涉及由三元共聚物膜稳定的基于直链淀粉的凝聚层，以及由聚二乙炔纤维形成的细胞骨架。这些纤维因与带正电的直链淀粉衍生物相互作用而束状聚集，形成模仿细胞骨架的微米级结构。鉴于细胞结构与功能之间复杂的相互作用，这种人工细胞骨架的设计与整合代表了一项关键进展，为开发表现出更逼真生命行为的人工细胞平台铺平了道路。
