A synthetic metabolic network for physicochemical homeostasis

Tjeerd Pols, Hendrik R. Sikkema, Bauke F. Gaastra, Jacopo Frallicciardi, Wojciech M. Śmigiel, Shubham Singh and Bert Poolman ()
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Tjeerd Pols: University of Groningen
Hendrik R. Sikkema: University of Groningen
Bauke F. Gaastra: University of Groningen
Jacopo Frallicciardi: University of Groningen
Wojciech M. Śmigiel: University of Groningen
Shubham Singh: University of Groningen
Bert Poolman: University of Groningen

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract One of the grand challenges in chemistry is the construction of functional out-of-equilibrium networks, which are typical of living cells. Building such a system from molecular components requires control over the formation and degradation of the interacting chemicals and homeostasis of the internal physical-chemical conditions. The provision and consumption of ATP lies at the heart of this challenge. Here we report the in vitro construction of a pathway in vesicles for sustained ATP production that is maintained away from equilibrium by control of energy dissipation. We maintain a constant level of ATP with varying load on the system. The pathway enables us to control the transmembrane fluxes of osmolytes and to demonstrate basic physicochemical homeostasis. Our work demonstrates metabolic energy conservation and cell volume regulatory mechanisms in a cell-like system at a level of complexity minimally needed for life.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12287-2

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