Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Reflectin Proteins
Abstract
An intriguing discovery reported in Science Magazine, in 2004 by Crookes and colleagues, outlined the first look at an unusual family of natural protein-based polymers called reflections. reflections are characterized by unique spectral and optical properties. Our interest in elucidation of a functional unit that drives self-assembly of reflecting-based materials led us to develop an approach for systematic investigation of a library of reflecting-based protein sequences. Cassette-based DNA cloning and concatemerization techniques were used to synthesize genes encoding tandem repeats of reflecting-based amino acid sequences. reflecting constructs of interest included a reflecting 1a domain 3 (D3) monomer, a domain 3 dimer, subdomain peptides, recombinant reflecting 1b, an elastin-reflecting diblock copolymer, and an elastin-reflecting-GFP fusion protein. After construction of the sequences of interest at the DNA level, protein expression was carried out in a bacterial host. Approximately 10-20 mg protein/L cell culture yields were obtained for each construct. Preliminary structural characterization was performed. The unique spectral properties associated with recombinant reflecting protein materials make elastin-reflecting chimeric protein polymers attractive potential targets for biomaterial engineering applications
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 29, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA563720
Entities
People
- Holly E. Desai