Autonomous Synthesis of Fluorescent Silica Biodots Using Engineered Fusion Proteins.

ABSTRACT: Formation of biological materials is a well-controlled process that is orchestrated by biomolecules such as proteins. Proteins can control the nucleation and mineralization of biomaterials, thereby forming the hard tissues of biological organisms, such as bones, teeth, and shells. In this study, the design and implementation of multifunctional designer proteins are demonstrated for fluorescent silica micro/nanoparticle synthesis. The R5 motif of silaffin polypeptide, which is known for its silicification capability, was fused genetically into three spectrally distinct fluorescent proteins with the intention of forming modified fluorescent proteins. The bifunctional R5 peptide domain served as a tag to provide silica synthesis at ambient conditions. Three functional fusion constructs have b

SUBMITTER: Olmez TT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6044564 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature