Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Genomic mutation profile and metabolic alterations in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with abdominal bulky mass.

Annals of hematology·2025
Same author

Branching-Induced Intermolecular Repulsion Effects Drive Stable and Sustainable Flow Batteries on Condensed Nitroxyl Radicals.

Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)·2025
Same author

Correction: Endolymphatic hydrops impairs inner ear uptake and distribution of intratympanically injected gadolinium mixed with dexamethasone in patients with Meniere's disease.

European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·2025
Same author

Tocilizumab Monotherapy or Combined With Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

JAMA network open·2025
Same author

Prevalence of and risk factors for important comorbidities of systemic lupus erythematosus using data from a multicenter Chinese cohort registry: A cross-sectional study.

Clinical rheumatology·2025
Same author

Overexpression of the <i>Glycyrrhiza uralensis</i> Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Gene <i>GuPAL1</i> Promotes Flavonoid Accumulation in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Synthesis of an Intein-mediated Artificial Protein Hydrogel
15:06

Synthesis of an Intein-mediated Artificial Protein Hydrogel

Published on: January 27, 2014

Tandem modular protein-based hydrogels constructed using a novel two-component approach.

Shanshan Lv1, Yi Cao, Hongbin Li

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1 Canada.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|November 17, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Researchers engineered novel protein hydrogels using a two-component system with complementary leucine zippers. This approach overcomes expression challenges, enabling efficient production of tunable, self-assembling biomaterials for biomedical applications.

More Related Videos

Force-Clamp Rheometry for Characterizing Protein-based Hydrogels
09:55

Force-Clamp Rheometry for Characterizing Protein-based Hydrogels

Published on: August 21, 2018

Preparation of Hydroxy-PAAm Hydrogels for Decoupling the Effects of Mechanotransduction Cues
11:31

Preparation of Hydroxy-PAAm Hydrogels for Decoupling the Effects of Mechanotransduction Cues

Published on: August 28, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 27, 2026

Synthesis of an Intein-mediated Artificial Protein Hydrogel
15:06

Synthesis of an Intein-mediated Artificial Protein Hydrogel

Published on: January 27, 2014

Force-Clamp Rheometry for Characterizing Protein-based Hydrogels
09:55

Force-Clamp Rheometry for Characterizing Protein-based Hydrogels

Published on: August 21, 2018

Preparation of Hydroxy-PAAm Hydrogels for Decoupling the Effects of Mechanotransduction Cues
11:31

Preparation of Hydroxy-PAAm Hydrogels for Decoupling the Effects of Mechanotransduction Cues

Published on: August 28, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Engineering
  • Protein Engineering
  • Biomedical Applications

Background:

  • Leucine zipper sequences are widely used for engineering protein-based hydrogels.
  • Previous methods faced challenges in expressing and purifying tandem modular proteins due to spontaneous self-association of leucine zippers.
  • Developing extracellular matrix-mimetic hydrogels requires overcoming these protein expression and purification hurdles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel two-component approach for engineering tandem modular protein-based hydrogels.
  • To overcome the limitations of spontaneous self-association of leucine zipper sequences during protein expression and purification.
  • To create a system for tunable, self-assembling protein hydrogels with improved properties.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized two complementary leucine zipper sequences (CCE and CCK) that form heterodimeric coiled-coils at neutral pH.
  • Engineered bifunctional and trifunctional tandem modular proteins incorporating these complementary leucine zipper functional groups.
  • Expressed and purified the two protein components under native conditions.
  • Mixed the purified protein components to induce hydrogel formation.

Main Results:

  • Proteins incorporating CCE or CCK functional groups were expressed and purified with high yield under native conditions.
  • Mixing the two protein components resulted in the rapid formation of a transparent hydrogel.
  • The resulting protein hydrogels exhibited reversible sol-gel transitions with temperature changes.
  • The hydrogels demonstrated significantly improved erosion properties.

Conclusions:

  • The novel two-component system effectively engineers tandem modular protein-based hydrogels.
  • This approach overcomes previous expression and purification challenges associated with leucine zipper self-association.
  • The method allows for tuning hydrogel topology and physical properties via genetic engineering.
  • Opens possibilities for engineering extracellular matrix-mimetic hydrogels using large native extracellular proteins.