| Abstract: | Two different artificial predation strategies are spatially and temporally coupled to generate a simple tit‐for‐tat mechanism in a ternary protocell network capable of antagonistic enzyme‐mediated interactions. The consortium initially consists of protease‐sensitive glucose‐oxidase‐containing proteinosomes ( 1 ), non‐interacting pH‐sensitive polypeptide/mononucleotide coacervate droplets containing proteinase K ( 2 ), and proteinosome‐adhered pH‐resistant polymer/polysaccharide coacervate droplets ( 3 ). On receiving a glucose signal, secretion of protons from 1 triggers the disassembly of 2 and the released protease is transferred to 3 to initiate a delayed contact‐dependent killing of the proteinosomes and cessation of glucose oxidase activity. Our results provide a step towards complex mesoscale dynamics based on programmable response‐retaliation behavior in artificial protocell consortia. |
