Hydrodynamic accumulation of small molecules and ions into cell-sized liposomes against a concentration gradient.

ABSTRACT: In investigations of the emergence of protocells at the origin of life, repeatable and continuous supply of molecules and ions into the closed lipid bilayer membrane (liposome) is one of the fundamental challenges. Demonstrating an abiotic process to accumulate substances into preformed liposomes against the concentration gradient can provide a clue. Here we show that, without proteins, cell-sized liposomes under hydrodynamic environment repeatedly permeate small molecules and ions, including an analogue of adenosine triphosphate, even against the concentration gradient. The mechanism underlying this accumulation of the molecules and ions is shown to involve their unique partitioning at the liposomal membrane under forced external flow in a constrained space. This abiotic mechanism to accu

SUBMITTER: Sugiyama H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9814613 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature