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    Increasing MinD's Membrane Affinity Yields Standing Wave Oscillations and Functional Gradients on Flat Membranes

    Year: 2021

    Journal: ACS Synth. Biol., Volume 10, MAY 21, page 939–949

    Authors: Kretschmer, Simon; Heermann, Tamara; Tassinari, Andrea; Glock, Philipp; Schwille, Petra

    Organizations: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) [201269156-SFB 1032 (A09)]; DFG; International Max Planck research school for molecular life science (IMPRS-LS)

    Keywords: pattern formation; pattern engineering; self-organization; in vitro reconstitution; reaction-diffusion system; Min proteins

    The formation of large-scale patterns through molecular self-organization is a basic principle of life. Accordingly, the engineering of protein patterns and gradients is of prime relevance for synthetic biology. As a paradigm for such pattern formation, the bacterial MinDE protein system is based on self-organization of the ATPase MinD and ATPase-activating protein MinE on lipid membranes. Min patterns can be tightly regulated by tuning physical or biochemical parameters. Among the biochemically engineerable modules, MinD's membrane targeting sequence, despite being a key regulating element, has received little attention. Here we attempt to engineer patterns by modulating the membrane affinity of MinD. Unlike the traveling waves or stationary patterns commonly observed in vitro on flat supported membranes, standing-wave oscillations emerge upon elongating MinD's membrane targeting sequence via rationally guided mutagenesis. These patterns are capable of forming gradients and thereby spatially target co-reconstituted downstream proteins, highlighting their functional potential in designing new life-like systems.
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