Cell-sized asymmetric phospholipid–amphiphilic protein vesicles with growth, fission, and molecule transportation

Lipid vesicles, which mimic cell membranes in structure and components, have been widely used to study the origin of life and artificial cell construction. A different approach to developing cell-mimicking systems focuses on the formation of protein- or polypeptide-based vesicles. However, micro-sized vesicles that are similar in membrane dynamics to the cell and that reconstitute membrane proteins are difficult to form. In this study, we generated cell-sized asymmetric phospholipid–amphiphilic protein (oleosin) vesicles that allow the reconstitution of membrane proteins and the growth and fission of vesicles. These vesicles are composed of a lipid membrane on the outer leaflet and an oleosin membrane on the inner leaflet. Further, we elucidated a mechanism for the growth and fission of cell-sized asymmetric phospholipid–oleosin vesicles by feeding phospholipid micelles. Our asymmetric phospholipid–oleosin vesicles with advantages of the lipid leaflet and the protein leaflet will potentially promote understanding of cellular biochemistry and synthetic biology.