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Related Concept Videos

Actin Filament Depolymerization01:19

Actin Filament Depolymerization

Actin filaments (F-actin) are composed of actin subunits. The dissociation of actin monomers can occur from either end of F-actin. The rate of dissociation is faster from the minus-end or the pointed end, where the actin subunits exist with a bound ADP, together known as ADP-actin. The depolymerization of F-actin is aided by proteins, including the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF) and cofilin family of proteins, gelsolin, and glia maturation factor (GMF).
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Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation

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Preparation of Macroporous Epitaxial Quartz Films on Silicon by Chemical Solution Deposition
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Self-Assembled Piezoelectric Films from Aligned Lysozyme Protein Fibrils.

Donn Adam D Gito1,2, Alireza Akbarinejad1,2,3, Alexander Dixon4

  • 1Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.

Biomacromolecules
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This study shows that lysozyme amyloid fibril films exhibit piezoelectricity, a property useful for flexible electronic devices. Plasticizing with polyethylene glycol enhanced this effect, demonstrating potential for self-assembled piezoelectric materials.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Biomaterials Science
  • Polymer Science

Background:

  • Piezoelectric organic polymers offer mechanical flexibility for wearable devices.
  • Biological polymers like proteins provide biocompatibility and biodegradability.
  • Protein piezoelectricity and structural influences require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the piezoelectric properties of lysozyme amyloid fibril films.
  • To investigate the effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a plasticizer.
  • To explore the potential of amyloid fibrils for self-assembled piezoelectric materials.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of lysozyme amyloid fibril films plasticized with PEG.
  • Measurement of the piezoelectric d33 coefficient.
  • Polarization imaging to analyze fibril alignment.

Main Results:

  • Optimized PEG concentration yielded a d33 coefficient of 1.4 ± 0.1 pCN⁻¹.
  • PEG was observed to hydrogen-bond with fibrils, influencing piezoelectric response.
  • Polarization imaging showed circumferential alignment of amyloid fibrils.

Conclusions:

  • Lysozyme amyloid fibril films exhibit measurable piezoelectricity.
  • Amyloid fibrils show potential for creating bulk self-assembled piezoelectric materials.
  • Protein secondary structure and plasticizer interactions are key factors.