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ECM Protein Nanofibers and Nanostructures Engineered Using Surface-initiated Assembly
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Topologically-guided continuous protein crystallization controls bacterial surface layer self-assembly.

Colin J Comerci1,2, Jonathan Herrmann3,4, Joshua Yoon2,5

  • 1Biophysics Program, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305-5101, CA, USA.

Nature Communications
|June 23, 2019
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacteria and archaea use self-assembly to build their surface layers (S-layers). This process involves protein crystal growth guided by cell surface topology, offering insights for nanomaterial development.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Many bacteria and archaea feature a crystalline protein surface layer (S-layer) on their outer surface.
  • The assembly mechanism and regulatory framework for S-layer construction remain largely unidentified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the assembly process of the S-layer protein (SLP) in Caulabacter crescentus.
  • To elucidate the role of protein self-assembly in S-layer formation and maintenance in vivo.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing fluorescent labeling and superresolution microscopy to track individual S-layer proteins (SLPs).
  • Employing single-molecule tracking to analyze monomer diffusion and incorporation into S-layer crystals.
  • Developing a model for S-layer assembly based on experimental observations.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated that 2D protein self-assembly, through efficient crystal nucleation and growth, is sufficient for S-layer formation.
  • Showed that secreted SLP monomers diffuse on the outer membrane and incorporate at the edges of growing S-layer crystals.
  • Identified that surface topology influences S-layer assembly by creating defects and boundaries that guide crystal growth.

Conclusions:

  • S-layer assembly is an unsupervised process driven by protein crystallization and guided by cell surface topology.
  • Understanding this self-assembly mechanism provides insights into S-layer diversity and potential therapeutic targets.
  • The principles of S-layer assembly could inspire the development of novel self-assembling macromolecular nanomaterials.