Development of a photoresponsive module for protein photoregulation

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25410166
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Bio-related chemistry
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Ui Mihoko 東北大学, 多元物質科学研究所, 助教 (30549580)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 光制御 / 光受容蛋白質 / PYP

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Light has been considered as an effective tool to regulate biomolecules due to its high spatiotemporal resolution and noninvasive properties. In this study, we developed photoresponsive modules based on photoreceptor PYP by providing an unnatural amino acid bearing a chemically reactive group instead of methionine. The engineered PYP was coupled with the hydrophilic copolymer, resulting in generation of photoresponsive protein-polymer conjugates. The viscosity of the resulting conjugate was reversibly decreased by blue light irradiation. This material would possibly be applicable for construction of photoresponsive biomaterials and also broaden the potential of engineered PYP as a photoresponsive module for optical regulation of molecules.

Free Research Field

蛋白質工学