Charge-Tunable Silk-Tropoelastin Protein Alloys That Control Neuron Cell Responses.

ABSTRACT: Tunable protein composites are important for constructing extracellular matrix mimics of human tissues with control of biochemical, structural, and mechanical properties. Molecular interaction mechanisms between silk fibroin protein and recombinant human tropoelastin, based on charge, are utilized to generate a new group of multifunctional protein alloys (mixtures of silk and tropoelastin) with different net charges. These new biomaterials are then utilized as a biomaterial platform to control neuron cell response. With a +38 net charge in water, tropoelastin molecules provide extraordinary elasticity and selective interactions with cell surface integrins. In contrast, negatively charged silk fibroin protein (net charge -36) provides remarkable toughness and stiffness with morphologic stab

SUBMITTER: Hu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4118775 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature