Initial adsorption of the micelle to the membrane left panel A snapshot of the micellemembrane complex at the beginning of fusion that has hydrophobic molecules present in the contact region middle panel A snapshot of a stalk structure right panel Stalk formation is the irreversible step i ID: 934309
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Coupling between metabolism and cell growth promotes evolution at the origins of life
Initial adsorption of the micelle to the membrane (left panel). A snapshot of the micelle-membrane complex at the beginning of fusion that has hydrophobic molecules present in the contact region (middle panel). A snapshot of a stalk structure (right panel). Stalk formation is the irreversible step in fusion. Red/pink: head groups of membrane-forming fatty acid; cyan: hydrophobic tails of fatty acid; yellow: hydrophobic molecules. Water and ions are not shown for clarity.
Science question: What mechanisms evolved to enable the transition from cellular raw materials to the precursors for life?Findings: Using computer simulations for cellular processes, we show hydrophobic (poorly soluble in water) molecules synthesized via simple processes accumulate at the surfaces of cell membranes. This activity promotes fusion between the membrane and a micelle (a spherical aggregate of molecules) made of membrane-forming material from the environment, thus enabling preferential growth and division of cell-like bodies at the expense of other precursors of cells. Why does this matter? The fusion of simple membranes and micelles mediated by small hydrophobic molecules provides a robust mechanism to create an evolutionary advantage to precursors of cells and facilitate the emergence of life.
Wei, C., & Pohorille, A. (2021). Fast bilayer-micelle fusion mediated by hydrophobic dipeptides.
Biophysical Journal
,
120
(11), 2330-2342.