Repeat protein engineering: creating functional nanostructures/biomaterials from modular building blocks.
There is enormous interest in molecular self-assembly and the development of biological systems to form smart nanostructures for biotechnology (so-called 'bottom-up fabrications'). Repeat proteins are ideal choices for development of such systems as they: (i) possess a relatively simple relationship between sequence, structure and function; (ii) are modular and non-globular in structure; (iii) act as diverse scaffolds for the mediation of a diverse range of protein-protein interactions; and (iv) have been extensively studied and successfully engineered and designed. In the present review, we summarize recent advances in the use of engineered repeat proteins in the self-assembly of novel materials, nanostructures and biosensors. In particular, we show that repeat proteins are excellent monomeric programmable building blocks that can be triggered to associate into a range of morphologies and can readily be engineered as stimuli-responsive biofunctional materials.
*School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, U.K.
Ewan R G
ER
Main
Jonathan J
JJ
Phillips
Charlotte
C
Millership
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D006801:Humans; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D015202:Protein Engineering; D060066:Protein Interaction Maps; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011506:Proteins