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

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.