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In possible scenarios on the origin of life, protocells represent the precursors of the first living cells. To study such hypothetical protocells, giant vesicles are being widely used as a simple model. Lipid vesicles can undergo complex morphological changes enabling self-reproduction such as growth, fission, and extra- and intravesicular budding. These properties of vesicular systems may in some way reflect the mechanism of reproduction used by protocells. Moreover, remarkable similarities exist between the morphological changes observed in giant vesicles and bacterial L-form cells, which represent bacteria that have lost their rigid cell wall, but retain the ability to reproduce. L-forms feature a dismantled cellular structure and are unable to carry out classical binary fission. We propose that the striking similarities in morphological transitions of L-forms and giant lipid vesicles may provide insights into primitive reproductive mechanisms and contribute to a better understanding of the origin and evolution of mechanisms of cell reproduction. Editor's suggested further reading in BioEssays Synthesizing artificial cells from giant unilamellar vesicles: State-of-the art in the development of microfluidic technology [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses on cell-wall-less bacterial variants or L-forms. The study of L-forms proved to be significant specifically because of its effect on the human health where its formation is a consequence of specific antibiotic treatments and its potential involvement in persistent and relapsing infections. Recent observations led by Richard d'Ari suggests that E.coli L-forms induced by beta-lactam antibiotics contain small amounts of peptidoglycan, which is essential in cell division.