Tunable conformation-dependent engineered protein·gold nanoparticle nanocomposites

Jasmin Hume, Raymond Chen, Rudy Jacquet, Michael Yang, Jin Kim Montclare

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We demonstrate the fabrication of protein·gold nanoparticle (AuNP) nanocomposites in situ, leading to distinct assemblies dependent upon protein secondary structure. In the presence of pentameric coiled-coil proteins C and Q, which contain histidine tags and have helicities of 54 and 65%, respectively, templation of AuNP results in precipitation of the protein·AuNP composites with AuNPs 6.5 nm in diameter, creating macromolecular assemblies on the micrometer scale. In the absence of the histidine tags, the resulting Cx and Qx proteins, which exhibit lower helicities of 37 and 45%, respectively, stabilize soluble protein·AuNP composites with AuNPs 4.5 nm in diameter for several days without aggregating. By manipulating protein structure via external triggers, such as TFE, we obtain control over the macromolecular conformation and overall physicochemical properties. These hybrid protein·AuNP assemblies can be readily deposited on electrodes, where they can serve as a tunable bionanocomposite kinetic barrier.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1706-1713
Number of pages8
JournalBiomacromolecules
Volume16
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 8 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Biomaterials
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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