Single-chain amphiphiles (SCAs) are attractive components of synthetic cells because of the simplicity of bilayer formation and increased membrane permeability. However, SCAs suffer from restricted working pH ranges, instability to divalent cations, and the inhibition of biocatalysts. Therefore, it would be valuable to develop robust biocompatible membranes that enjoys the benefits of SCAs but without the aforementioned limitations. Here we describe the construction of highly stable vesicles from a new class of uncharged galactopyranose-derived SCAs. The compatibility of these amphiphiles with biomolecules makes possible the encapsulation of functional enzymes and nucleic acids during the vesicle generation process, enabling membrane protein reconstitution and compartmentalized nucleic acid amplification, even when charged precursors are supplied externally. Our studies demonstrate that single-chain glycolipid-based amphiphiles could serve as robust building blocks for artificial cells and have potential applications in drug delivery and microreactor design.

Construction of artificial cells from galactopyranose-derived single-chain amphiphiles

2019 Fall National Meeting

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