Reversible non-stick behaviour of a bacterial protein polymer provides a tuneable molecular mimic for cell and tissue engineering.

ABSTRACT: Yersina pestis, the bubonic plague bacterium, is coated with a polymeric protein hydrogel for protection from host defences. The protein, which is robust and non-stick, resembles structures found in many eukaryotic extracellular-matrix proteins. Cells grown on the natural polymer cannot adhere and grow poorly; however, when cell-adhesion motifs are inserted into the protein, the cells proliferate.

SUBMITTER: Roque AI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4112846 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature