Computational design and experimental validation of a novel heme-binding protein with desired structure and function

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K14660
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 43040:Biophysics-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Moriwaki Yoshitaka 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科(農学部), 助教 (70751303)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 蛋白質科学 / 計算科学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research aims to explore and demonstrate design theories for creating protein structures and functions using computational science. We also aimed to achieve the design of a de novo protein with a heme-transfer functionality. After obtaining protein 3D structural information around the heme-binding site necessary for heme-binding by statistical analysis and identifying them as structural parts, we used a protein structure-building software called "Topobuilder" to create new protein structural backbones with the functional motifs.

Free Research Field

生物学・生物物理学・生化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ほとんどすべての生物は蛋白質を利用し自身の生命活動を維持している。その蛋白質の機能はそれぞれ固有の立体構造に起因している事が多いため、人工的に指定した蛋白質の構造をとるようなアミノ酸配列を合理的に設定できるようになることは、創薬を含むあらゆる生命活動を人工的に制御できるようになることが予想される。