S-Layers as a basic building block in a molecular construction kit.
Crystalline arrays of protein or glycoprotein subunits forming surface layers (S-layers) are the most common outermost envelope components of prokaryotic organisms (archaea and bacteria). The wealth of information on the structure, chemistry, genetics, morphogenesis, and function of S-layers has revealed a broad application potential. As S-layers are periodic structures, they exhibit identical physicochemical properties for each molecular unit down to the subnanometer level and possess pores of identical size and morphology. Many applications of S-layers in nanobiotechnology depend on the ability of isolated subunits to recrystallize into monomolecular lattices in suspension or on suitable surfaces and interfaces. S-Layer lattices can be exploited as scaffolding and patterning elements for generating more complex supramolecular assemblies and structures, as required for life and nonlife science applications.
Sleytr
Uwe B
UB
Center for NanoBiotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna, Austria. uwe.sleytr@boku.ac.at
Egelseer
Eva M
EM
Ilk
Nicola
N
Pum
Dietmar
D
Schuster
Bernhard
B
D000818:Animals; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry; D003460:Crystallization; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*
D006023:Glycoproteins; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008055:Lipids; D011108:Polymers; D011506:Proteins