Analysis of the mechanical property of nanofiber protein AtaA

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15098
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 27040:Biofunction and bioprocess engineering-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshimoto Shogo 名古屋大学, 工学研究科, 特任助教 (90806291)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: タンパク質 / 原子間力顕微鏡 / 1分子解析 / ナノ力学 / オートトランスポーター

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we analyzed the nanomechanical properties of the nanofiber protein AtaA using atomic force microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations with the aim of elucidating the mechanism of viscoelasticity of AtaA. As a result, we found that tough domains exist in AtaA, and that these mechanical properties are based on the precisely designed three-dimensional structure of the protein.

Free Research Field

生物工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

AtaAの粘弾性発現機構が明らかになることで、望みのナノ力学特性をもった人工タンパク質をタンパク質工学により設計、作出可能になる。その結果、タンパク質を原料とした構造材料や水中接着剤の開発につながり、低炭素社会や循環型社会の実現に貢献できると考えられる。