Design and site-directed compartmentalization of gold nanoclusters within the intrasubunit interfaces of ferritin nanocage.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Protein nanocages have emerged as popular nanocarriers for either drug delivery or biotemplates for the preparation of nanomaterials. However, only three interfaces, namely exterior surface, intersubunit and inner cavity, have been used as reaction sites for the above purposes with all known protein nanocages. On the other hand, how to control the site of Au NCs formed within a targeted protein template while maintaining the functionality of protein itself remains challenging.

Results

In this work, inspired by compartmentalization in living systems, we firstly come up with the conception of "intrasubunit interfaces", located within subunit of protein nanocage. We built a new, specific compartment for fabrication of gold nanoclusters by genetic modification of the

SUBMITTER: Zang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6612197 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature