Polynucleotides in cellular mimics: Coacervates and lipid vesicles

In this review, we examine the interaction of nucleic acids with cell-like structures based on liquid-liquid phase separation of charged molecules (complex coacervation) and amphiphilic self-assembly (lipid vesicles). We discuss the mechanisms of their assembly and describe how they can be used as models for origin of life studies and for understanding two recently-described phenomena in modern cells: membrane-free organelles and exosomes. Hybrid cells with increased structural complexity are highlighted and we then briefly explore how strategies based on electrostatic and hydrophobic assembly can be used for designing and synthesizing delivery agents for therapeutic nucleic acids. While the physical mechanisms of self-assembly vary, both strategies provide viable routes for generating minimal compartmentalized systems, modeling cellular pathways, and for rational design of new synthetic cells for technological applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.