Adjustable Ellipsoid Nanoparticles Assembled from Re-engineered Connectors of the Bacteriophage Phi29 DNA Packaging Motor

作者：Xiao Feng; Cai Ying; Wang Joseph Che Yen; Green Dominik; Cheng R Holland; Demeler Borries; Guo Peixuan^*

来源：ACS Nano, 2009, 3(8): 2163-2170.

DOI：10.1021/nn900187k

• nanobiotechnology
• bionanotechnology
• viral DNA packaging
• phi29 DNA packaging motor
• protein nanoparticles
• virus assemble
• bacteriophage phi29 connector

A 24 x 30 nm ellipsoid nanoparticle containing 84 subunits or 7 dodecamers of the re-engineered core protein of the bacteriophage phi29 DNA packaging motor was constructed. Homogeneous nanoparticles were obtained with simple one-step purification. Electron microscopy and analytical ultracentrifugation were employed to elucidate the structure, shape, size, and mechanism of assembly. The formation of this structure was mediated and stabilized by N-terminal peptide extensions. Reversal of the 84-subunit ellipsoid nanoparticle to its dodecamer subunit was controlled by the cleavage of the extended N-terminal peptide with a protease. The 84 outward-oriented C-termini were conjugated with a streptavidin binding peptide which can be used for the incorporation of markers. This further extends the application of this nanoparticle to pathogen detection and disease diagnosis by signal enhancement.

• 出版日期2009-8