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Dramatic morphological changes in liposomes induced by peptide nanofibers reversibly polymerized and depolymerized by the photoisomerization of spiropyran
- Source :
- Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, Vol 10 (2023)
- Publication Year :
- 2023
- Publisher :
- Frontiers Media S.A., 2023.
-
Abstract
- Cytoskeletons such as microtubules and actin filaments are natural protein assemblies, which dynamically control cellular morphology by reversible polymerization/depolymerization. Recently, the control of polymerization/depolymerization of fibrous protein/peptide assemblies by external stimuli has attracted significant attention. However, as far as we know, the creation of an “artificial cytoskeleton” that reversibly controls the polymerization/depolymerization of peptide nanofiber in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) has not been reported. Here, we developed peptide nanofiber self-assembled from spiropyran (SP)-modified β-sheet-forming peptides, which can be reversibly polymerized/depolymerized by light. The reversible photoisomerization of the SP-modified peptide (FKFECSPKFE) to the merocyanine-peptide (FKFECMCKFE) by ultraviolet (UV) and visible light irradiation was confirmed by UV–visible spectroscopy. Confocal laser scanning microscopy with thioflavin T staining and transmission electron microscopy of the peptides showed that the SP-peptide formed β-sheet nanofibers, whereas the photoisomerization to the merocyanine-peptide almost completely dissociated the nanofibers. The merocyanine peptide was encapsulated in spherical GUVs comprising of phospholipids as artificial cell models. Interestingly, the morphology of GUV encapsulating the merocyanine-peptide dramatically changed into worm-like vesicles by the photoisomerization to the SP-modified peptide, and then reversibly changed into spherical GUV by the photoisomerization to the MC-modified peptide. These dynamic morphological changes in GUVs by light can be applied as components of a molecular robot with artificially controlled cellular functions.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2296889X
- Volume :
- 10
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.6a7b9d820c584e1f9422786a60d0dcdd
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2023.1137885