Article
Polymer Science
Rossana Boni, Lynne Regan
Summary: Protein engineering allows for the creation of customized materials with specific physical properties suitable for engineering applications. We successfully designed and programmed engineered proteins to form covalent molecular networks in hydrogels, demonstrating the ability to modulate their viscoelastic properties. By investigating the composition of the building blocks, protein identity, and concentration, we showed how these variables influence the viscoelastic response of the hydrogels. These findings enhance the capabilities of synthetic biology in creating novel materials and enabling the interface between biological engineering and material science.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guangzhong Yin, Jingjing Wei, Yu Shao, Wen-Hao Wu, Lianjie Xu, Wen-Bin Zhang
Summary: The study demonstrates facile conjugation between proteins and water-soluble [60]fullerene derivatives (DC60) under native conditions using SpyTag. The bioconjugation was confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS spectra and SDS-PAGE analysis, while TEM and UV-vis spectroscopic study revealed the alteration in optical performance induced by DC60 and aggregation of target proteins. This method provides a general and robust approach for modifying proteins with C-60 derivatives.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zilong Guo, Haiyan Hong, Hao Sun, Xiaofeng Zhang, Chen-Xu Wu, Bing Li, Yi Cao, Hu Chen
Summary: Single molecule force spectroscopy is a powerful tool for studying protein folding dynamics and other mechanobiological processes, but high force precision does not guarantee high force accuracy. The challenge in magnetic tweezers lies in accurately determining applied forces due to calibration uncertainties.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qingning Ye, Xiaomei Lin, Ting Wang, Yuntao Cui, Hao Jiang, Yuan Lu
Summary: In this study, a cell-free one-pot transcription-translation-assembly system was developed using SpyCatcher/SpyTag (SC/ST) chemistry for flexible production of topological protein materials. Optimization of the system was performed to achieve the desired polymerization degree, and the function of the resulting protein materials was verified.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lianjie Xu, Xinyu Wang, Fei Sun, Yi Cao, Chao Zhong, Wen-Bin Zhang
Summary: Engineered living materials (ELMs) utilize living cells to produce molecular building blocks, converting life into functional materials with self-organization, self-maintenance, adaptability, and evolvability. Proteins play a crucial role in ELMs and require protein engineering for customization. Future development of ELMs could benefit from a systems perspective integrating various functional components' interactions.
CURRENT OPINION IN SOLID STATE & MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ze-Hui Liu, Zhuo-Fan Deng, Ying Lu, Wei-Huan Fang, Fang He
Summary: Novel multiple antigen delivery system using SpyCatcher/Spytag strategy and self-assembled VLPs formed by porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) Cap can significantly elevate immune potency by surface-displaying antigen. This modularly assembled system retains the immune potential of Cap VLP backbone, while enhancing immune potency.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Qiang Zheng, Mengjiao Wang, Lin Zhang, Waqas Ahmad, Hongxia Li, Yigang Tong, Guojun Zheng, Shaozhou Zhu
Summary: Protein topology engineering through protein catenation enhances the stability and efficiency of industrial enzymes, offering a more effective strategy compared to conventional direct evolution schemes.
JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Fu-Xing Niu, Zhi-Bo Yan, Yuan-Bin Huang, Jian-Zhong Liu
Summary: A novel cell-free biosynthesis system based on a mixture of chassis cell extracts and purified enzymes was developed for efficient production of natural products like chlorogenic acid (CGA). Through optimization of reaction conditions, the yield was significantly increased, demonstrating the potential of this strategy for high-level production of natural products.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rossana Boni, Elizabeth. A. Blackburn, Dirk-Jan Kleinjan, Mantas Jonaitis, Flora Hewitt-Harris, Megan Murdoch, Susan Rosser, David. C. Hay, Lynne Regan
Summary: Biomaterials for tissue regeneration can be customized to mimic the biophysical properties of the native physiological environment using a protein engineering approach. By incorporating the SpyTag (ST) peptide and multiple repetitive units of the SpyCatcher (SC) protein, covalent molecular networks with defined physical characteristics can be formed. The physical properties of the hydrogels can be further altered by tuning the key features in the repetitive protein sequence.
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peng Zheng, Ying Yang, Yuting Fu, Jinrong He, Yongmao Hu, Xiao Zheng, Biao Duan, Mengzhen Wang, Qingwen Liu, Weiran Li, Duo Li, Zhongqian Yang, Xu Yang, Weiwei Huang, Yanbing Ma
Summary: In recent years, virus-derived self-assembled protein nanoparticles (NPs) have been used as antigen delivery platforms for vaccines. In this study, a genetically engineered Norovirus S domain (Nov-S) with SpyCatcher003 was developed as a versatile NP-based carrier platform. The NPs showed high stability and could be easily modified with tumor antigens. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the NPs promoted dendritic cell maturation and induced robust tumor-specific T-cell immunity, inhibiting tumor growth. This study suggests that the Nov-S-Catcher003 system is a promising platform for NP-based cancer vaccines.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yushi Liu, Fang Ba, Wan-Qiu Liu, Changzhu Wu, Jian Li
Summary: Protein-polymer conjugates are designed and fabricated as generic materials that can be postfunctionalized for tunable catalysis. Using genetically encoded click chemistry, the conjugates can protect the function/activity of ligated moieties and enable efficient catalytic reactions. The hydrogel-based catalytic materials allow for easy recovery and reuse.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qi Gao, Dangling Ming
Summary: Studied the effects of interface interactions in SpyRing on the thermal resilience of the target enzyme, highlighting key mutations that may affect the enzyme's thermal stability.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Xinming Sun, Tong Zhang, Yinlu Liu, Peng Chen, Huimin Qin, Jiangang Yang, Yuanxia Sun
Summary: In this study, a multi-enzymatic system was used to successfully synthesize 2-αGG. The system included core enzymes and auxiliary enzymes, and a self-assembled multienzyme complex was constructed using the SpyTag-SpyCatcher system, which exhibited three-fold higher productivity compared to free enzyme. This study provides an efficient approach for producing 2-αGG and demonstrates the potential of the SpyTag-SpyCatcher system for constructing other multienzyme complexes.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Habin Sun, JooHee Han, YeWon Jo, Sung Ok Han, Jeong Eun Hyeon
Summary: SpyCatcher and SpyTag form spontaneous isopeptide bonds, providing thermal and structural stability to enzymes. By introducing a Catcher/Tag system into carbonic anhydrase, it was found that the enzyme could remain active at high temperatures and exhibit increased CaCO3 production.
PROCESS BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Xiangwei Cui, Zeyuan Wang, Zonglin Li, Xing Zhang, Zhimin Li
Summary: The study established a system that can assemble into multienzyme systems to enhance the production of glutathione and oxidized glutathione, with only a 9.4% decrease in total yield after five continuous rounds of biocatalysis.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christos Josephides, Peter S. Swain
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2017)
Article
Biology
Michal Barski, Benjamin Brennan, Ona K. Miller, Jane A. Potter, Swetha Vijayakrishnan, David Bhella, James H. Naismith, Richard M. Elliott, Ulrich Schwarz-Linek
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alejandro A. Granados, Julian M. J. Pietsch, Sarah A. Cepeda-Humerez, Iseabail L. Farquhar, Gasper Tkacik, Peter S. Swain
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ona K. Miller, Mark J. Banfield, Ulrich Schwarz-Linek
Article
Biology
Bram Cerulus, Abbas Jariani, Gemma Perez-Samper, Lieselotte Vermeersch, Julian M. J. Pietsch, Matthew M. Crane, Aaron M. New, Brigida Gallone, Miguel Roncoroni, Maria C. Dzialo, Sander K. Govers, Jhana O. Hendrickx, Eva Galle, Maarten Coomans, Pieter Berden, Sara Verbandt, Peter S. Swain, Kevin J. Verstrepen
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elco Bakker, Peter S. Swain
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nathan Scales, Peter S. Swain
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Luis Fernando Montano-Gutierrez, Kevin Correia, Peter S. Swain
Summary: This article discusses why cells express multiple different types of nutrient transporters and proposes a tradeoff between rate and affinity in cellular nutrient transport. By using mathematical modelling and experimental verification, the study shows that cells can mitigate the tradeoff by encoding multiple transporters and expressing them at the appropriate concentrations for optimal nutrient uptake.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Luis Fernando Montano-Gutierrez, Nahuel Manzanaro Moreno, Iseabail L. Farquhar, Yu Huo, Lucia Bandiera, Peter S. Swain
Summary: omniplate is a Python module that allows for the analysis of plate reader data. It corrects and normalizes data, estimates growth rates and fluorescence, and enables meta-analysis of multiple plates. The authors demonstrate its effectiveness in revealing biological regulation mechanisms through experimental results.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Elco Bakker, Peter S. Swain, Matthew M. Crane