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.
Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Biotechnology Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, USA.
Ryan M
RM
Kramer
Chester
C
Li
Daniel C
DC
Carter
Morley O
MO
Stone
Rajesh R
RR
Naik
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