Experimental and computational characterization of biological liquid crystals: a review of single-molecule bioassays.
Quantitative understanding of the mechanical behavior of biological liquid crystals such as proteins is essential for gaining insight into their biological functions, since some proteins perform notable mechanical functions. Recently, single-molecule experiments have allowed not only the quantitative characterization of the mechanical behavior of proteins such as protein unfolding mechanics, but also the exploration of the free energy landscape for protein folding. In this work, we have reviewed the current state-of-art in single-molecule bioassays that enable quantitative studies on protein unfolding mechanics and/or various molecular interactions. Specifically, single-molecule pulling experiments based on atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been overviewed. In addition, the computational simulations on single-molecule pulling experiments have been reviewed. We have also reviewed the AFM cantilever-based bioassay that provides insight into various molecular interactions. Our review highlights the AFM-based single-molecule bioassay for quantitative characterization of biological liquid crystals such as proteins.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
Kilho
K
Eom
Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
Jaemoon
J
Yang
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
Jinsung
J
Park
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
Gwonchan
G
Yoon
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Catholic University of Daegu, Kyeongbuk 712-702, Korea.
Young Soo
YS
Sohn
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
Shinsuk
S
Park
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University, Kangwon-do 220-740, Korea.
Dae Sung
DS
Yoon
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
Sungsoo
S
Na
Research Institute of Engineering and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
Taeyun
T
Kwon
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008956:Models, Chemical; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D058767:Protein Unfolding; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D013816:Thermodynamics
D011506:Proteins