A collaborative research team from Jagiellonian University in Poland and the universities of Leeds, York, and Durham in the UK have made a significant nanotech breakthrough by developing dynamic, pentamer-based protein nanotubes. The study, published in ACS Nano, reveals how an engineered enzyme can assemble into various hollow spherical and cylindrical structures in response to stimuli.
By leveraging the power of electron microscopy and mathematical modeling, the research led by the Azuma group at Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology (MCB) JU has unlocked the ability of a modified enzyme, called lumazine synthase, to form versatile and adaptive nanostructures. The protein shows an extraordinary capacity to morph between hollow spherical shapes and elongated, fiber-like nanotubes, all in response to salt contents in solution. Unlike conventional nanotubes that rely on hexameric or other subunit arrangements, these newly discovered assemblies consist entirely of pentamers.
Thanks to the state-of-the-art Titan Krios G3i cryo-electron microscope, housed at the National Synchrotron Radiation Centre SOLARIS JU and the Polish high-performance computing infrastructure PLGrid (HPC Centers: ACK Cyfronet AGH), scientists have mapped the structures of these innovative nanocage complexes with remarkable precision.
This pioneering research provides invaluable insights into the molecular mechanics and geometric principles of protein assembly. The findings offer a fresh blueprint for designing nanoarchitectures with customizable shapes and functions, potentially revolutionizing fields such as drug delivery, catalysis, and the creation of advanced nanomaterials.
This discovery is thrilling, as it allows us to see and comprehend the various ways pentamers bind within these nanocages – says Dr. Łukasz Koziej, a leading researcher of the study.
Dr. Yusuke Azuma adds, This work is a promising step forward to pave the way for developing new biomimetic devices and materials with bespoke properties, marking a significant advancement in the field of nanotechnology.
Read more on SOLARIS website
Image: Electron microscopic structures of ball- and tube-shaped assemblies made from an engineered enzyme, lumazine synthase. Unlike many other cases found before, these structures are built entirely with pentameric (pentagonal) units. By simply changing the amount of salt in the solution, they can switch between forming balls or tubes.