Synthetic Cells Synthesize Therapeutic Proteins inside Tumors.

ABSTRACT: Synthetic cells, artificial cell-like particles, capable of autonomously synthesizing RNA and proteins based on a DNA template, are emerging platforms for studying cellular functions and for revealing the origins-of-life. Here, it is shown for the first time that artificial lipid-based vesicles, containing the molecular machinery necessary for transcription and translation, can be used to synthesize anticancer proteins inside tumors. The synthetic cells are engineered as stand-alone systems, sourcing nutrients from their biological microenvironment to trigger protein synthesis. When pre-loaded with template DNA, amino acids and energy-supplying molecules, up to 2 × 10⁷ copies of green fluorescent protein are synthesized in each synthetic cell. A variety of proteins, having molec

SUBMITTER: Krinsky N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6684359 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature