Engineered protein cages for nanomaterial synthesis.
Self-assembled particles of genetically engineered human L subunit ferritin expressing a silver-binding peptide were used as nanocontainers for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The inner cavity of the self-assembled protein cage displays a dodecapeptide that is capable of reducing silver ions to metallic silver. This chimeric protein cage when incubated in the presence of silver nitrate exhibits the growth of a silver nanocrystal within its cavity. Our studies indicate that it is possible to design chimeric cages, using specific peptide templates, for the growth of other inorganic nanoparticles.
Kramer
Ryan M
RM
Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Biotechnology Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, USA.
Li
Chester
C
Carter
Daniel C
DC
Stone
Morley O
MO
Naik
Rajesh R
RR
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001052:Apoferritins; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D020740:Chimerin Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005293:Ferritins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D015202:Protein Engineering; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*
D020740:Chimerin Proteins; D009842:Oligopeptides; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012834:Silver; D005293:Ferritins; D001052:Apoferritins