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Artificial protein cages - inspiration, construction, and observation
Izabela Stupka1, Jonathan Gardiner Heddle2
1Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-392 Krakow, Poland; Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland.
Current Opinion in Structural Biology
|July 4, 2020
Summary
Artificial protein cages offer enhanced capabilities for medical delivery. Structural studies of natural protein cages inspire novel designs, with cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) confirming artificial structures and their improved functions.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Structural Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Protein cages are natural hollow, spherical protein assemblies.
- They have potential applications in targeted drug delivery and nanomedicine.
- Designing artificial protein cages allows for tailored properties beyond natural forms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how natural protein cage structures inform artificial designs.
- To highlight the role of structural studies, particularly cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), in this process.
- To discuss how artificial protein cages can surpass natural limitations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of natural protein cage structures.
- Design principles for artificial protein cages.
- Application of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) for structural determination of artificial proteins.
Main Results:
- Natural protein cage architectures provide blueprints for synthetic analogues.
- Cryo-EM is crucial for validating the structural integrity of designed artificial cages.
- Artificial protein cages can be engineered with novel functionalities and enhanced stability.
Conclusions:
- Structural insights from natural protein cages are essential for developing advanced artificial systems.
- Cryo-EM is the leading technique for characterizing these complex artificial protein structures.
- Engineered protein cages represent a promising platform for biomedical applications, exceeding natural counterparts.
