| 研究実績の概要 |
The project involves the creation of new proteins such as Pizza, an artificial protein we described in 2014. In 2018, we investigated protein complexes with polyoxometalates (POMs) to create novel catalysts. Four different Pizza-POM complexes have been crystallised, and these structures have been refined to high resolution. A paper is now in preparation, in collaboration with the Voet group in Belgium. Work is continuing to create novel protein networks cross-linked by POMs. Using the same method employed earlier with Pizza, we have attempted to create a novel five-fold symmetrical protein. This protein has been made, and X-ray crystallographic analysis is being carried out. Several earlier designs were not found to be very stable. A stable 8-fold symmetric protein has been created and used to make 2- and 4-fold building blocks. These models are also being used to investigate the evolution of symmetrical proteins in Nature, and find simple rules to control the shape of ring-shaped proteins. Combinations of Pizza protein with coiled-coil domains were used to make three large complexes with different overall symmetry. The correct size of the complexes in solution was demonstrated by analytical centrifugation. In collaboration with the Ozeki group in Yokohama, a novel lectin has been found that can bind certain cells selectively through surface sugar groups. This work has been submitted for publication, and the crystal structure is solved.
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