Artificial Cells Capable of NO Generation with Light Controllable Membraneless Organelles for Melanoma Therapy

Y Yingming Zhao S Shubin Li (State Key Laboratory of Urban-Rural Water Resource and Environment, MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, Heilongjiang Provincial Joint Laboratory of Molecular Science (International Cooperation), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) Y Yanhao Liu C Chao Li J Jingjing Zhao Y Yongshuo Ren (State Key Laboratory of Urban-Rural Water Resource and Environment, MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, Heilongjiang Provincial Joint Laboratory of Molecular Science (International Cooperation), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) W Wan Zhao X Xiangxiang Zhang X Xinyu Cui X Xuefeng Tang (State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology No. 92, West Da‐Zhi Street Harbin 150001 China) P Peipei Ren (State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology No. 92, West Da‐Zhi Street Harbin 150001 China) X Xiaojun Han (State Key Laboratory of Urban-Rural Water Resource and Environment, MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, Heilongjiang Provincial Joint Laboratory of Molecular Science (International Cooperation), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering)

Abstract

Abstract Membraneless organelles (MLOs) formed by liquid–liquid phase separation exhibit diverse important biofunctions in cells. The construction of artificial cells containing MLOs with enhanced complexity and functions is still challenging. Here a light‐responsive protein, Cry2olig‐IDRs, is designed and purified to form MLOs upon light (488 nm) irradiation. They are capable of rapidly recruiting positively charged inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS + ) from surroundings to regulate its activity for NO production. NO‐artificial cells are constructed by encapsulating Cry2olig‐IDRs and iNOS + into giant unilamellar vesicles, which are capable of rapid production of NO with high concentration due to the formation of MLOs upon light irradiation. NO‐artificial cells are confirmed to possess the ability for melanoma tumor therapy in mice. These findings provide an efficient method for remotely regulating enzyme activity inside artificial cells, paving the path to build more sophisticated artificial cells for their biomedical applications.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 37, Issue 28
Published July 01, 2025
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (12)

Y

Yingming Zhao

S

Shubin Li

State Key Laboratory of Urban-Rural Water Resource and Environment, MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, Heilongjiang Provincial Joint Laboratory of Molecular Science (International Cooperation), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Y

Yanhao Liu

C

Chao Li

J

Jingjing Zhao

Y

Yongshuo Ren

State Key Laboratory of Urban-Rural Water Resource and Environment, MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, Heilongjiang Provincial Joint Laboratory of Molecular Science (International Cooperation), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

W

Wan Zhao

X

Xiangxiang Zhang

X

Xinyu Cui

X

Xuefeng Tang

State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology No. 92, West Da‐Zhi Street Harbin 150001 China

P

Peipei Ren

State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology No. 92, West Da‐Zhi Street Harbin 150001 China

X

Xiaojun Han

State Key Laboratory of Urban-Rural Water Resource and Environment, MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, Heilongjiang Provincial Joint Laboratory of Molecular Science (International Cooperation), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering