2014 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Exploring the structure and mechanism of formation of an artificial protein capsid, toward the development of a novel redox-responsive nano-carrier system.
| Project/Area Number |
25560231
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| Research Institution | The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research |
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Principal Investigator |
MALAY Ali 独立行政法人理化学研究所, Heddle国際主幹研究ユニット, 研究員 (40467006)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
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| Keywords | protein / gold nanoparticle / synthetic biology / protein engineering / bionanotechnology |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Last year we made significant progress in understand the structure and dynamic mechanism of artificial capsid formation of TRAP-cage. In terms of mechanism, it was revealed that gold nanoparticles payed a role not as catalysts as originally imagined, but rather gold atoms are incorporated specifically as thiol bridges in a process related to "thiol etching" of gold nanoparticles. In terms of structure, we now have a nearly complete model, showing that TRAP-cage is composed of 24 11mer rings (total of 264 subunits) and 120 gold atoms, in a unique symmetry never before seen in protein cage structures. Finally, analysis of material properties of TRAP-cage have shown it to be an exceptionally stable structure, able to resist boiling, yet can readily disassemble in response to changes in redox conditions. Some findings, suing high-speed AFM, have been published in Nano Letters.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
Significant progress was made in terms of elucidating the structure, mechanism, and nanomaterial properties of TRAP-cage.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
We would like to develop applications for TRAP-cage, such as for use a redox-responsive delivery systems for nanoscale cargo molecules. Other highly promising applications are also considered.
Several questions still remain, especially relating to the nature of the Au-S interactions that lead to the formation of TRAP-cage, for which we would need to collaborate with specialists in the field of gold chemistry.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Due to the difficult nature of the project, publication of results have been delayed; therefore, some funds have been left over.
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| Expenditure Plan for Carryover Budget |
Most of the funds will be used to defray publication costs. Additionally, additional experimental reagents and equipment will be purchased, and some of the funds will be used to pay conference fees, etc.
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