Fig. 5: User-controlled communication network formation with a dual connexin-expressing SC.
From: Light-controlled synthetic communication networks via paired connexon nanopores
Scheme of DualCx sender SCs (left) that co-express non-functional TEVrecCx43 and TVMVrecCx32 connexons and co-encapsulate UV-responsive (UVLiposome + TEV) and NIR-responsive (NIRLiposome + TVMV) liposomes. DualCx senders are adhered with UV-Cx43 and NIR-Cx32 SCs that encapsulate UV-responsive or NIR-responsive liposomes, respectively. UV illumination specifically activates transfer between DualCx senders and UV-Cx43 receivers, while NIR illumination results in transfer to the NIR-Cx32 receivers. Normalized dye transfer to UV-Cx43 and NIR-Cx32 receivers under no, UV or NIR illumination (right). Dye transfer was normalized with respect to percent transfer from DualCx senders to either Cx43- or Cx32-receiver vesicles (see Supplementary Fig. 19) in the presence of either TEV or TMVM protease (1). Similarly, dye transfer from DualCx senders to either Cx43- or Cx32-receivers in the absence of any protease served as the lower bound (0) for normalization. Bars indicate the mean values ± s.d. of n = 3 independent experiments, at least 30 receivers were analyzed per experiment (p-values are 0.0002, 0.8928, 0.7706, and 0.0006, respectively). p-values were determined using a two-tailed unpaired t-test comparison (ns not significant p > 0.05; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; ****p < 0.0001). Source data are provided as a Source Data file.
