title: Functional interfaces for biomimetic energy harvesting: CNTs-DNA matrix for enzyme assembly.
abstract: The development of 3D structures exploring the properties of nano-materials and biological molecules has been shown through the years as an effective path forward for the design of advanced bio-nano architectures for enzymatic fuel cells, photo-bio energy harvesting devices, nano-biosensors and bio-actuators and other bio-nano-interfacial architectures. In this study we demonstrate a scaffold design utilizing carbon nanotubes, deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) and a specific DNA binding transcription factor that allows for directed immobilization of a single enzyme. Functionalized carbon nanotubes were covalently bonded to a diazonium salt modified gold surface through carbodiimide chemistry creating a brush-type nanotube alignment. The aligned nanotubes created a highly ordered structure with high surface area that allowed for the attachment of a protein assembly through a designed DNA scaffold. The enzyme immobilization was controlled by a zinc finger (ZNF) protein domain that binds to a specific dsDNA sequence. ZNF 268 was genetically fused to the small laccase (SLAC) from Streptomyces coelicolor, an enzyme belonging to the family of multi-copper oxidases, and used to demonstrate the applicability of the developed approach. Analytical techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and enzymatic activity analysis, allowed characterization at each stage of development of the bio-nano architecture. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Biodesign for Bioenergetics--the design and engineering of electronic transfer cofactors, proteins and protein networks, edited by Ronald L. Koder and J.L. Ross Anderson.
authors.affiliation: Nanoscience and Microsystems, MSC01 1120, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA. Electronic address: rhjelm@unm.edu.
authors.forename: Rachel M E
authors.initials: RME
authors.lastname: Hjelm
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 W 120(th) St, New York City, NY 10027, USA. Electronic address: keg2135@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Kristen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Farris Engineering Center 209, MSC01 1120, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA. Electronic address: babanova@unm.edu.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Babanova
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Farris Engineering Center 209, MSC01 1120, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA. Electronic address: kartyush@unm.edu.
authors.forename: Kateryna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Artyushkova
authors.affiliation: Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, United States. Electronic address: igonzales@unm.edu.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Matanovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 W 120(th) St, New York City, NY 10027, USA. Electronic address: sb2373@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Banta
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Farris Engineering Center 209, MSC01 1120, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA. Electronic address: plamen@unm.edu.
authors.forename: Plamen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Atanassov
mesh_terms: D057005:Bioengineering / Q000379:methods; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D042845:Laccase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011485:Protein Binding; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D048372:Streptomyces coelicolor; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C482295:ZNF268 protein, human; D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA; D042845:Laccase
keywords: Biomimetic; DNA-CNT matrix; Enzymatic cascade; Enzymatic fuel cell; Small laccase; Zinc finger