There is enormous interest in molecular self-assembly and the development of biological systems to form smart nanostructures for biotechnology (so-called ‘bottom-up fabrications’). Repeat proteins are ideal choices for development of such systems as they: (i) possess a relatively simple relationship between sequence, structure and function; (ii) are modular and non-globular in structure; (iii) act as diverse scaffolds for the mediation of a diverse range of protein–protein interactions; and (iv) have been extensively studied and successfully engineered and designed. In the present review, we summarize recent advances in the use of engineered repeat proteins in the self-assembly of novel materials, nanostructures and biosensors. In particular, we show that repeat proteins are excellent monomeric programmable building blocks that can be triggered to associate into a range of morphologies and can readily be engineered as stimuli-responsive biofunctional materials.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
October 2013
- Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
Conference Article|
September 23 2013
Repeat protein engineering: creating functional nanostructures/biomaterials from modular building blocks
Ewan R.G. Main;
Ewan R.G. Main
1
*School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, U.K.
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email e.main@qmul.ac.uk).
Search for other works by this author on:
Jonathan J. Phillips;
Jonathan J. Phillips
2
*School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Charlotte Millership
Charlotte Millership
*School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Biochem Soc Trans (2013) 41 (5): 1152–1158.
Article history
Received:
June 11 2013
Citation
Ewan R.G. Main, Jonathan J. Phillips, Charlotte Millership; Repeat protein engineering: creating functional nanostructures/biomaterials from modular building blocks. Biochem Soc Trans 1 October 2013; 41 (5): 1152–1158. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20130102
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.