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Published on: December 3, 2015
ATP-Responsive Nanoparticles Covered with Biomolecular Machine "Chaperonin GroEL"
Hao K Shen1, Kiyoshi Morishita1,2, P K Hashim1
1Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
We developed ATP-responsive nanoparticles coated with the chaperonin protein GroEL. These GroEL nanoparticles capture and release denatured proteins in response to ATP, showing enhanced ATPase activity.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Chaperonin proteins like GroEL are essential molecular machines for protein folding.
- Developing functional nanomaterials with biomolecular components is a key area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create an ATP-responsive nanoparticle functionalized with the chaperonin protein GroEL.
- To investigate the protein-binding and release capabilities of the GroEL-nanoparticle conjugate.
- To assess the ATPase activity of immobilized GroEL.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of GroEL-functionalized gold nanoparticles (GroEL NP) via DNA hybridization.
- Structural characterization using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cryogenic TEM.
- Assay of protein capture and release in response to ATP.
- Measurement of ATPase activity.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized GroEL NP with GroEL covering the nanoparticle surface.
- Demonstrated ATP-dependent capture and release of denatured green fluorescent protein (GFP).
- Observed significantly enhanced ATPase activity per GroEL unit in GroEL NP compared to controls.
- Confirmed the potential for iterative extension to create multi-layered nanoparticles.
Conclusions:
- GroEL NP represents a novel ATP-responsive nanomaterial with retained chaperonin function.
- The enhanced ATPase activity suggests improved performance of immobilized GroEL.
- This platform holds potential for applications in protein refolding and targeted drug delivery.
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