Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2025

Directed Assembly of Elastin-like Proteins into defined Supramolecular Structures and Cargo Encapsulation In Vitro
Published on: April 8, 2020
Spatiotemporal control over 3D protein nanocage superlattices for the hierarchical encapsulation and release of
Xiaorong Zhang1, Ruiqi Zeng1, Tuo Zhang1
1College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, Beijing 100083, China. zangjiachen@cau.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Taking inspiration from Nature, we have constructed a two-compartment system based on 3D ferritin nanocage superlattices, the self-assembly behavior of which can be spatiotemporally controlled using two designed switches. One pH switch regulates the assembly of the ferritin subunit into its shell-like structure, whereas the other metal switch is responsible for assembly of the 3D superlattices from ferritin nanocages as building blocks. Consequently, this system holds great promise for the hierarchical encapsulation and release of two different cargo molecules.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
Directing Proteins to the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Nuclear Protein Sorting
Proteins targeted to the nucleus carry nuclear localization signals or NLS recognized by import receptors in the cytosol. Similarly, proteins with nuclear export signals are recognized by export receptors. Import and export receptors are...
Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments
Clathrin Coated Vesicles
Overview of Protein Sorting and Transport
Protein sorting can be of two types: signal-based sorting and vesicle-based trafficking. In signal-based sorting, specific amino acid sequences called sorting signals target proteins to the proper location inside the cell either via gated transport or by protein translocation. In gated transport, folded...

