Colloid-like solution behavior of computationally designed coiled coil bundlemers

The use of isotropic potential models of simple colloids for describing complex protein-protein interactions is a topic of ongoing debate in the biophysical community. This contention stems from the unavailability of synthetic protein-like model particles that are amenable to systematic experimental characterization. In this article, we test the utility of colloidal theory to capture the solution structure, interactions and dynamics of novel globular protein-mimicking, computationally designed peptide assemblies called bundlemers that are programmable model systems at the intersection of colloids and proteins. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements of semi-dilute bundlemer solutions in low and high ionic strength solution indicate that bundlemers interact locally via repulsive interactions that can be described by a screened repulsive potential. We also present neutron spin echo (NSE) spectroscopy results that show high-Q freely-diffusive dynamics of bundlemers. Importantly, formation of clusters due to short-range attractive, inter-bundlemer interactions is observed in SANS even at dilute bundlemer concentrations, which is indicative of the complexity of the bundlemer charged surface. The similarities and differences between bundlemers and simple colloidal as well as complex protein-protein interactions is discussed in detail.