Microscopy and biophysical data for: Synthetic control of actin polymerization and symmetry breaking in active protocells

Non-linear biomolecular interactions on membranes drive membrane
remodeling crucial for biological processes including chemotaxis,
cytokinesis, and endocytosis. The complexity of biomolecular interactions,
their redundancy, and the importance of spatiotemporal context in membrane
organization impede understanding of the physical principles governing
membrane mechanics. Developing a minimal in vitro system that mimics
molecular signaling and membrane remodeling while maintaining
physiological fidelity poses a significant challenge. Inspired by
chemotaxis, we reconstructed chemically regulated actin polymerization
inside vesicles, guiding membrane self-organization. External, undirected
chemical inputs induced directed actin polymerization and membrane
deformation uncorrelated with upstream biochemical cues, suggesting
symmetry breaking. A biophysical model incorporating actin dynamics and
membrane mechanics proposes that uneven actin distributions cause
non-linear membrane deformations, consistent with experimental findings.
This protocellular system illuminates the interplay between actin dynamics
and membrane shape during symmetry breaking, offering insights into
chemotaxis and other cell biological processes.