Proteins hold great promise in forming complex nanoscale structures which could be used in the development of new nanomaterials, devices, biosensors, electronics and pharmaceuticals. The potential to produce nanomaterials from proteins is well supported by the numerous examples of self-assembling proteins found in nature. We have explored self-assembling proteins for use as supramolecular building blocks, or tectons, specifically the N-terminal domain of Lsr2, Nterm-Lsr2. A key feature of this protein is that it undergoes self-assembly via proteolytic cleavage, thereby allowing us to generate supramolecular assemblies in response to a specific trigger. Herein, we report the effects of pH and protein concentrati... More
Proteins hold great promise in forming complex nanoscale structures which could be used in the development of new nanomaterials, devices, biosensors, electronics and pharmaceuticals. The potential to produce nanomaterials from proteins is well supported by the numerous examples of self-assembling proteins found in nature. We have explored self-assembling proteins for use as supramolecular building blocks, or tectons, specifically the N-terminal domain of Lsr2, Nterm-Lsr2. A key feature of this protein is that it undergoes self-assembly via proteolytic cleavage, thereby allowing us to generate supramolecular assemblies in response to a specific trigger. Herein, we report the effects of pH and protein concentration on the oligomerisation of Nterm-Lsr2. Furthermore, via protein engineering, we have introduced a new trigger for oligomerisation via enteropeptidase cleavage. The new construct of Nterm-Lsr2 can be activated and assembled in a controlled fashion and provides some ability to alter the ratio of higher ordered structures formed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.