Functionalizing Yeast Lipid Droplets as Versatile Biomaterials

This study diversified the functions of lipid droplets from Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) for innovative in  vivo and in vitro applications via protein engineering. By fusing diverse proteins with plant protein oleosin and anchoring these into lipid droplets, they gained new functions as biosensors, for transport of cargo to the plasma membrane, and as biocatalysts. This research highlights their potent ial as advanced biomaterials, opening new avenues beyond conventional lipid storage. AbstractLipid droplets (LD) are dynamic cellular organelles of ≈1 µm diameter in yeast where a neutral lipid core is surrounded by a phospholipid monolayer and attendant proteins. Beyond the storage of lipids, opportunities for LD engineering remain underdeveloped but they show excellent potential as new biomaterials. In this research, LD from yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae is engineered to display mCherry fluorescent protein, Halotag ligand binding protein, plasma membrane binding v-SNARE protein, and carbonic anhydrase enzyme via linkage to oleosin, an LD anchoring protein. Each protein-oleosin fusion is coded via a single gene construct. The expressed fusion proteins are specifically displayed on LD and their functions can be assessed within cells by fluorescence confocal microscopy, TEM, and as isolated materials via AFM, flow cytometry, spectrophotometry, and by enzyme activity assay. LD isolated from the cell are shown to be robust and stabilize proteins anchored into the...
Source: Small - Category: Nanotechnology Authors: Tags: Research Article Source Type: research