Design and validation of functional supramolecular protein assemblies

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H04581
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biofunction/Bioprocess
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Kamiya Noriho 九州大学, 工学研究院, 教授 (50302766)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 若林 里衣 九州大学, 工学研究院, 助教 (60595148)
• Research Collaborator: KUSAKABE Takahiro
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: タンパク質集合体 / 生体触媒 / 翻訳後修飾 / バイオコンジュゲート / 自己集合 / 両親媒性 / バイオインターフェース / 固相基質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Self-assembling nature of biomolecules has generated great attention of researchers in various fields. In the fields of biochemical and biomedical engineering, protein assemblies are considered a promising material for the creation of new platform for many applications, especially realizing cascading reactions and multivalency. The application of protein assemblies in the biological systems requires a careful selection of constituting materials and fabrication methods. Here enzymatic strategies to create new type of biomolecular assemblies have been explored. Various functional protein units were designed to different purposes, such as multi- assemblies of hemicellulase for saccharification of plant biomass and multi-conjugate of antibody-binding protein and enzyme for diagnosis. Finally, new peptidyl substrates were developed and validated to construct novel functional supramolecular protein assemblies.

Free Research Field

生体分子工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

生体内では、タンパク質が１つの機能ユニットとして、会合や離散、分解を受けながら、生命活動が営まれている。例えばウイルスや、細菌から生えた繊毛や鞭毛は、精緻な相互作用に基づいて自己集合的に組み上がり、特定のかたちと機能を発揮する。本研究の成果により、タンパク質を寄せ集める過程を人工系で模倣することで、望みの機能を有する超大型タンパク質集合体（超分子型自己集合系）の設計に繋がることが期待される。例えば、薬を封入したナノサイズのタンパク質粒子は、医薬や農薬分野での利用が期待される。