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DNA sequences for: Synthetic control of actin polymerization and symmetry breaking in active protocells

Razavi, Shiva1

Published May 20, 2024 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rxwdbrvh9

Data files

Abstract

Non-linear biomolecular interactions on membranes drive membrane remodeling crucial for biological processes including chemotaxis, cytokinesis, and endocytosis. The complexity of biomolecular interactions, their redundancy, and the importance of spatiotemporal context in membrane organization impede understanding of the physical principles governing membrane mechanics. Developing a minimal in vitro system that mimics molecular signaling and mem- brane remodeling while maintaining physiological fidelity poses a significant challenge. Inspired by chemotaxis, we reconstructed chemically regulated actin polymerization inside vesicles, guiding membrane self-organization. An external, undirected chemical input induced directed actin polymerization and membrane deformation uncorrelated with upstream biochemical cues, suggesting symmetry breaking. A biophysical model incorporating actin dynamics and membrane mechanics proposes that uneven actin distributions cause non-linear membrane deformations, consistent with experimental findings. This protocellular system illuminates the interplay between actin dynamics and membrane shape during symmetry breaking, offering insights into chemotaxis and other cell biological processes.