Nanoscale structures and materials from the self-assembly of polypeptides and DNA

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio Bernal-Chanchavac ◽  
Md Al-Amin ◽  
Nicholas Stephanopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Chemical Diversity ◽  
Biological Molecules ◽  
High Complexity ◽  
Functional Nanomaterials ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Nanoscale Structures ◽  
Supramolecular Motifs ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Proteins And Peptides

: The use of biological molecules with programmable self-assembly properties is an attractive route to functional nanomaterials. Proteins and peptides have been used extensively for these systems due to their biological relevance and large number of supramolecular motifs, but it is still difficult to build highly anisotropic and programmable nanostructures due to their high complexity. Oligonucleotides, by contrast, have the advantage of programmability and reliable assembly, but lack biological and chemical diversity. In this review, we discuss systems that merge protein or peptide self-assembly with the addressability of DNA. We outline the various self-assembly motifs used, the chemistry for linking polypeptides with DNA, and the resulting nanostructures that can be formed by the interplay of these two molecules. Finally, we close by suggesting some interesting future directions in hybrid polypeptide-DNA nanomaterials, and potential applications for these exciting hybrids.

Biomolecular templating of functional hybrid nanostructures using repeat protein scaffolds

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 825-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Romera ◽  
Pierre Couleaud ◽  
Sara H. Mejias ◽  
Antonio Aires ◽  
Aitziber L. Cortajarena
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Hybrid Nanostructures ◽  
Biological Molecules ◽  
Complex Structures ◽  
Tetratricopeptide Repeats ◽  
Molecular Building Blocks ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Nano Patterning

The precise synthesis of materials and devices with tailored complex structures and properties is a requisite for the development of the next generation of products based on nanotechnology. Nowadays, the technology for the generation of this type of devices lacks the precision to determine their properties and is accomplished mostly by ‘trial and error’ experimental approaches. The use of bottom-up approaches that rely on highly specific biomolecular interactions of small and simple components is an attractive approach for the templating of nanoscale elements. In nature, protein assemblies define complex structures and functions. Engineering novel bio-inspired assemblies by exploiting the same rules and interactions that encode the natural diversity is an emerging field that opens the door to create nanostructures with numerous potential applications in synthetic biology and nanotechnology. Self-assembly of biological molecules into defined functional structures has a tremendous potential in nano-patterning and the design of novel materials and functional devices. Molecular self-assembly is a process by which complex 3D structures with specified functions are constructed from simple molecular building blocks. Here we discuss the basis of biomolecular templating, the great potential of repeat proteins as building blocks for biomolecular templating and nano-patterning. In particular, we focus on the designed consensus tetratricopeptide repeats (CTPRs), the control on the assembly of these proteins into higher order structures and their potential as building blocks in order to generate functional nanostructures and materials.

scholarly journals The Versatile Manipulations of Self-Assembled Proteins in Vaccine Design

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1934
Author(s):  
Que Dan Nguyen ◽  
Kosuke Kikuchi ◽  
Basudev Maity ◽  
Takafumi Ueno
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Biological Molecules ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Protein Assemblies ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Subunit Vaccines ◽  
Small Proteins ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Proteins And Peptides

Protein assemblies provide unique structural features which make them useful as carrier molecules in biomedical and chemical science. Protein assemblies can accommodate a variety of organic, inorganic and biological molecules such as small proteins and peptides and have been used in development of subunit vaccines via display parts of viral pathogens or antigens. Such subunit vaccines are much safer than traditional vaccines based on inactivated pathogens which are more likely to produce side-effects. Therefore, to tackle a pandemic and rapidly produce safer and more effective subunit vaccines based on protein assemblies, it is necessary to understand the basic structural features which drive protein self-assembly and functionalization of portions of pathogens. This review highlights recent developments and future perspectives in production of non-viral protein assemblies with essential structural features of subunit vaccines.

Porphyrin-functionalized coordination star polymers and their potential applications in photodynamic therapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (45) ◽  
pp. 6116-6121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tan Ji ◽  
Lei Xia ◽  
Wei Zheng ◽  
Guang-Qiang Yin ◽  
Tao Yue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Photodynamic Therapy ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Star Polymers ◽  
New Family ◽  
Potential Applications

We present a new family of porphyrin-functionalized coordination star polymers prepared through combination of coordination-driven self-assembly and post-assembly polymerization. Their self-assembly behaviour in water and potential for photodynamic therapy were demonstrated.

Computational and Experimental Binding Mechanism of DNA-drug Interactions

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (32) ◽  
pp. 3739-3757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandrabose Selvaraj ◽  
Sanjeev K. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Dna Interaction ◽  
Significant Feature ◽  
Drug Molecules ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Novel Drug ◽  
Groove Binders ◽  
Molecular Docking And Dynamics

Nucleic acid is the key unit and a predominant genetic material for interpreting the fundamental basis of genetic information in an organism and now it is used for the evolution of a novel group of therapeutics. To identify the potential impact on the biological science, it receives high recognition in therapeutic applications. Due to its selective recognition of molecular targets and pathways, DNA significantly imparts tremendous specificity of action. Examining the properties of DNA holds numerous advantages in assembly, interconnects, computational elements, along with potential applications of DNA self-assembly and scaffolding include nanoelectronics, biosensors, and programmable/autonomous molecular machines. The interaction of low molecular weight, small molecules with DNA is a significant feature in pharmacology. Based on the mode of binding mechanisms, small molecules are categorized as intercalators and groove binders having a significant role in target-based drug development. The understanding mechanism of drug-DNA interaction plays an important role in the development of novel drug molecules with more effective and lesser side effects. This article attempts to outline those interactions of drug-DNA with both experimental and computational advances, including ultraviolet (UV) -visible spectroscopy, fluorescent spectroscopy, circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), molecular docking and dynamics, and quantum mechanical applications.

Nano sensors: Designing and Fabrication, Applications for flexible devices and Future Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Bilal Tahir ◽  
Aleena Shoukat ◽  
Tahir Iqbal ◽  
Asma Ayub ◽  
Saff-e Awal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Flexible Devices ◽  
More Care ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Nano Sensors ◽  
Mechanical Sensor ◽  
Small Models ◽  
Near Future

: The field of nanosensors has been gaining a lot of attention due to its properties such as mechanical and electrical ever since its first discovery by Dr. Wolter and first mechanical sensor in 1994. The rapidly growing demand of nanosensors has become profitable for a multidisciplinary approach in designing and fabrication of materials and strategies for potential applications. Frequent stimulating advancements are being suggested and established in recent years and thus heading towards multiple applications including food safety, healthcare, environmental monitoring, and biomedical research. Nanofabrication being an efficient method has been used in different industries like medical pharmaceutical for their complex functional geometry at a lower scale. These nanofabrications apply through different methods. There are five most commonly known methods which are frequently used, including top-down lithography, molecular self-assembly, bottom-up assembly, heat and pull method for fabrication of biosensors, etching for fabrication of nanosensors etc. Nanofabrication help at the nanoscale to design and work with small models. But these models due to their small size and being sensitive need more care for use as well as more training and experience to do work with. All methods used for nanofabrication are good and helpful. But more preferred is molecular self-assembly as it is helpful in mass production. Nanofabrication has become an emerging and developing field and it assumed that in near future our world is known by the new devices of nanofabrication.

scholarly journals The prototypes of nanozyme-based nanorobots

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 223-244
Author(s):  
Jiaying Xie ◽  
Yiliang Jin ◽  
Kelong Fan ◽  
Xiyun Yan
Keyword(s):  
Functional Nanomaterials ◽  
Promising Candidate ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Complex Tasks ◽  
Logic Control ◽  
The Future ◽  
Flexible Designs

AbstractArtificial nanorobot is a type of robots designed for executing complex tasks at nanoscale. The nanorobot system is typically consisted of four systems, including logic control, driving, sensing and functioning. Considering the subtle structure and complex functionality of nanorobot, the manufacture of nanorobots requires designable, controllable and multi-functional nanomaterials. Here, we propose that nanozyme is a promising candidate for fabricating nanorobots due to its unique properties, including flexible designs, controllable enzyme-like activities, and nano-sized physicochemical characters. Nanozymes may participate in one system or even combine several systems of nanorobots. In this review, we summarize the advances on nanozyme-based systems for fabricating nanorobots, and prospect the future directions of nanozyme for constructing nanorobots. We hope that the unique properties of nanozymes will provide novel ideas for designing and fabricating nanorobotics.

scholarly journals The Brown Seaweeds of Scotland, Their Importance and Applications

Environments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Omar Al-Dulaimi ◽  
Mostafa E. Rateb ◽  
Andrew S. Hursthouse ◽  
Gary Thomson ◽  
Mohammed Yaseen
Keyword(s):  
Waste Treatment ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Chemical Diversity ◽  
Great Opportunity ◽  
Brown Seaweeds ◽  
Extraction And Separation ◽  
The Status ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Phytochemical Profiles

More than 50% of the UK coastline is situated in Scotland under legislative jurisdiction; therefore, there is a great opportunity for regionally focused economic development by the rational use of sustainable marine bio-sources. We review the importance of seaweeds in general, and more specifically, wrack brown seaweeds which are washed from the sea and accumulated in the wrack zone and their economic impact. Rules and regulations governing the harvesting of seaweed, potential sites for harvesting, along with the status of industrial application are discussed. We describe extraction and separation methods of natural products from these seaweeds along with their phytochemical profiles. Many potential applications for these derivatives exist in agriculture, energy, nutrition, biomaterials, waste treatment (composting), pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other applications. The chemical diversity of the natural compounds present in these seaweeds is an opportunity to further investigate a range of chemical scaffolds, evaluate their biological activities, and develop them for better pharmaceutical or biotechnological applications. The key message is the significant opportunity for the development of high value products from a seaweed processing industry in Scotland, based on a sustainable resource, and locally regulated.

scholarly journals Supramolecular Nanofibers from Collagen-Mimetic Peptides Bearing Various Aromatic Groups at N-Termini via Hierarchical Self-Assembly

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4533
Author(s):  
Tomoyuki Koga ◽  
Shinya Kingetsu ◽  
Nobuyuki Higashi
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Triple Helix ◽  
Wavelength Conversion ◽  
Nile Red ◽  
Tem Analysis ◽  
Mimetic Peptides ◽  
Collagen Mimetic Peptides ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Hydrophobic Molecule ◽  
Emission Behavior

Self-assembly of artificial peptides has been widely studied for constructing nanostructured materials, with numerous potential applications in the nanobiotechnology field. Herein, we report the synthesis and hierarchical self-assembly of collagen-mimetic peptides (CMPs) bearing various aromatic groups at the N-termini, including 2-naphthyl, 1-naphtyl, anthracenyl, and pyrenyl groups, into nanofibers. The CMPs (R-(GPO)n: n > 4) formed a triple helix structure in water at 4 °C, as confirmed via CD analyses, and their conformations were more stable with increasing hydrophobicity of the terminal aromatic group and peptide chain length. The resulting pre-organized triple helical CMPs showed diverse self-assembly into highly ordered nanofibers, reflecting their slight differences in hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance and configuration of aromatic templates. TEM analysis demonstrated that 2Np-CMPn (n = 6 and 7) and Py-CMP6 provided well-developed natural collagen-like nanofibers and An-CMPn (n = 5–7) self-assembled into rod-like micelle fibers. On the other hand, 2Np-CMP5 and 1Np-CMP6 were unable to form nanofibers under the same conditions. Furthermore, the Py-CMP6 nanofiber was found to encapsulate a guest hydrophobic molecule, Nile red, and exhibited unique emission behavior based on the specific nanostructure. In addition to the ability of CMPs to bind small molecules, their controlled self-assembly enables their versatile utilization in drug delivery and wavelength-conversion nanomaterials.

scholarly journals A New Hope: Self-Assembling Peptides with Antimicrobial Activity

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Lombardi ◽  
Annarita Falanga ◽  
Valentina Del Genio ◽  
Stefania Galdiero
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Antibacterial Activities ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Functional Nanomaterials ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Bio Compatibility

Peptide drugs hold great promise for the treatment of infectious diseases thanks to their novel mechanisms of action, low toxicity, high specificity, and ease of synthesis and modification. Naturally developing self-assembly in nature has inspired remarkable interest in self-assembly of peptides to functional nanomaterials. As a matter of fact, their structural, mechanical, and functional advantages, plus their high bio-compatibility and bio-degradability make them excellent candidates for facilitating biomedical applications. This review focuses on the self-assembly of peptides for the fabrication of antibacterial nanomaterials holding great interest for substituting antibiotics, with emphasis on strategies to achieve nano-architectures of self-assembly. The antibacterial activities achieved by these nanomaterials are also described.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document