Bistable Functions and Signaling Motifs in Systems Chemistry: Taking the Next Step Toward Synthetic Cells

Abstract

A key challenge in modern chemistry research is to mimic life-like functions using simple molecular networks and the integration of such networks into the first functional artificial cell. Central to this endeavor is the development of signaling elements that can regulate the cell function in time and space by producing entities of code with specific information to induce downstream activity. Such artificial signaling motifs can emerge in nonequilibrium systems, exhibiting complex dynamic behavior like bistability, multistability, oscillations, and chaos. However, the de novo, bottom-up design of such systems remains challenging, primarily because the kinetic characteristics and energy aspects yielding bifurcation have not yet been globally defined. We herein review our recent work that focuses on the design and functional analysis of peptide-based networks, propelled by replication reactions and exhibiting bistable behavior. Furthermore, we rationalize and discuss their exploitation and implementation as variable signaling motifs in homogeneous and heterogeneous environments.