Directing polymorph specific calcium carbonate formation with de novo protein templates.

ABSTRACT: Biomolecules modulate inorganic crystallization to generate hierarchically structured biominerals, but the atomic structure of the organic-inorganic interfaces that regulate mineralization remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that heterogeneous nucleation of calcium carbonate could be achieved by a structured flat molecular template that pre-organizes calcium ions on its surface. To test this hypothesis, we design helical repeat proteins (DHRs) displaying regularly spaced carboxylate arrays on their surfaces and find that both protein monomers and protein-Ca²⁺ supramolecular assemblies directly nucleate nano-calcite with non-natural {110} or {202} faces while vaterite, which forms first in the absence of the proteins, is bypassed. These protein-stabilized nanocrystals then as

SUBMITTER: Davila-Hernandez FA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10721895 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature