Abstract
The utilization of light energy to power organic-chemical transformations is a fundamental strategy of the terrestrial energy cycle. Inspired by the elegance of natural photosynthesis, much interdisciplinary research effort has been devoted to the construction of simplified cell mimics based on artificial vesicles to provide a novel tool for biocatalytic cascade reactions with energy-demanding steps. By inserting natural or even artificial photosynthetic systems into liposomes or polymersomes, the light-driven proton translocation and the resulting formation of electrochemical gradients have become possible. This is the basis for the conversion of photonic into chemical energy in form of energy-rich molecules such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which can be further utilized by energy-dependent biocatalytic reactions, e.g., carbon fixation. This review compares liposomes and polymersomes as artificial compartments and summarizes the types of light-driven proton pumps that have been employed in artificial photosynthesis so far. We give an overview over the methods affecting the orientation of the photosystems within the membranes to ensure a unidirectional transport of molecules and highlight recent examples of light-driven biocatalysis in artificial vesicles. Finally, we summarize the current achievements and discuss the next steps needed for the transition of this technology from the proof-of-concept status to preparative applications.
Highlights
Due to the steadily increasing global energy demand, the rapid depletion of fossil fuels, and the growing level of environmental awareness, alternative concepts for the synthesis of chemical products have to be driven forward
Natural phototrophic organisms achieve this goal via the light-induced generation of electrochemical gradients across membranes, whose energy can be conserved in form of energy-rich molecules such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Significant advances have been made in the construction of photosynthetically active membrane-enveloped compartments on the basis of liposomes and polymersomes that mimic these natural principles
Summary
Due to the steadily increasing global energy demand, the rapid depletion of fossil fuels, and the growing level of environmental awareness, alternative concepts for the synthesis of chemical products have to be driven forward In this context, there is much interest in developing catalytic processes that make use of the almost infinite solar energy. In order to reap the full benefits of photosynthesis, the compartmentalization of cells has to be mimicked since the light-induced formation of electrochemical gradients across membranes is the crucial natural strategy of cells to harness the photonic energy As such artificial compartments, vesicles derived from lipids (liposomes) or polymers (polymersomes) have drawn intensive attention [2,3]. We summarize the approaches that have been developed to control the orientation of the membrane proteins within the artificial membranes and review the application examples of the vesicle-based biocatalysis powered by light
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