Morphological difference of Escherichia coli non-heme ferritin iron cores reconstituted in the presence and absence of inorganic phosphate.

The iron core of Escherichia coli ferritin was reconstituted in the presence and absence of phosphate. The core formed in the presence of phosphate contained phosphate in amounts comparable to the iron content. The size distribution of the core was analyzed by analytical ultracentrifugation.

Modular Self-Assembly of Protein Cage Lattices for Multistep Catalysis.

The assembly of individual molecules into hierarchical structures is a promising strategy for developing three-dimensional materials with properties arising from interaction between the individual building blocks. Virus capsids are elegant examples of biomolecular nanostructures, which are themselves hierarchically assembled from a limited number of protein subunits. Here, we demonstrate the bio-inspired modular construction of materials with two levels of hierarchy: the formation of catalytically active individual virus-like particles (VLPs) through directed self-assembly of capsid subunits with enzyme encapsulation, and the assembly of these VLP building blocks into three-dimensional arrays.

Two-Dimensional Crystallization of P22 Virus-Like Particles.

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are well established platforms for constructing functional biomimetic materials. The VLP from the bacteriophage P22 can be used as a nanocontainer to sequester active enzymes, at high concentration, within its cavity through a process of directed self-assembly. Construction of ordered 2D assemblies of these catalytic VLPs can be envisioned as a functional membrane.

Synthesis of rare earth doped yttrium-vanadate nanoparticles encapsulated within apoferritin.

Luminescent europium (Eu) and dysprosium (Dy) doped yttrium-vanadate (Y-V) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized in the cavity of the protein, apoferritin. Y-V NPs were synthesized by incubating a solution of apoferritin with Y(3+) and VO3(-) ions in the presence of ethylene diamine-N-N'-diacetic acid (EDDA). EDDA plays an important role in preventing Y-vanadate precipitation in bulk solution by chelating the Y(3+) ions.

Synthesis and ultrastructure of plate-like apatite single crystals as a model for tooth enamel.

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is an inorganic constituent compound of human bones and teeth, with superior biocompatibility and bioactivity characteristics. Its crystal structure is hexagonal, characterized by a(b)- and c-planes. In vertebrate long bones, HAp crystals have a c-axis orientation, while in tooth enamel, they have an a(b)-axis orientation.

Development of a,b-plane-oriented hydroxyapatite ceramics as models for living bones and their cell adhesion behavior.

In vertebrate bones and tooth enamel surfaces, the respective a,b-planes and c-planes of hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystals are preferentially exposed. However, the reason why the HAp crystals show different orientations depending on the type of hard tissues is not yet understood. To clarify this question, appropriate ceramic models with highly preferred orientation are necessary.

Synthesis of uniform and dispersive calcium carbonate nanoparticles in a protein cage through control of electrostatic potential.

We have synthesized calcium carbonate nanoparticles (Ca-NPs) in the cavity of a cage-shaped protein, apoferritin, by regulating the electrostatic potential of the molecule. The electrostatic potential in the cavity was controlled by pH changes resulting from changes in the dissolved carbon dioxide (CO(2)) concentration in the reaction solution. Recombinant L-apoferritin was mixed with a suspension of calcium carbonate (CaCO(3)), and the mixture was pressurized with gaseous CO(2) at 2 MPa.

Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis: three-dimensional structure of a female imago and crusted scabies lesions by X-ray micro-CT.

The three-dimensional structure of scabies mites (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis) and keratin layers affected by crusted scabies lesions were obtained using X-ray computed tomography at sub-micrometer and micrometer resolution, respectively (X-ray micro-CT). Clear three-dimensional images including internal structure of scabies mites were obtained.

Magnetic characterization of Daphnia resting eggs.

This study characterized the magnetic materials found within Daphnia resting eggs by measuring static magnetization with a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer, after forming two types of conditions, each of which consists of zero-field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC). Magnetic ions, such as Fe(3+), contained in Daphnia resting eggs existed as (1) paramagnetic and superparamagnetic particles, demonstrated by a magnetization and temperature dependence of the magnetic moments under an applied magnetic field after ZFC and FC, and (2) ferromagnetic particles with definite magnetic moments, the content of which was estimated to be very low, demonstrated by the Moskowitz test. Conventionally, biomagnets have been directly detected by transmission electron microscopes (TEM).

Micro-CT of Pseudocneorhinus bifasciatus by projection X-ray microscopy.

The projection X-ray microscope utilises a very small X-ray source emitted from a thin (0.1-3 microm) target metal film excited by the focused electron beam of a scanning electron microscope. When an object is placed just below the target metal film, the diverging X-rays enlarge the shadow of the object.

Cobalt-filled apoferritin for suspended single-walled carbon nanotube growth with narrow diameter distribution.

Cobalt-filled apoferritin (Co-ferritin) was, for the first time, used as a wet catalyst for the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with narrow diameter distribution. Co-ferritins were spin-coated and converted to cobalt nanoparticles by calcination. Using chemical vapor deposition, suspended networks of SWNTs were formed on pillar-structured substrates.

Self-organized inorganic nanoparticle arrays on protein lattices.

Cavities formed by proteins have been utilized as the reaction chamber for the fabrication of a range of inorganic nanoparticles, providing control of the size of particles by limiting growth and preventing agglomeration. In crystal form, proteins construct molecular arrays that can provide regularly arranged sites for nanoparticles. Here we report the fabrication of nanometric iron and indium particles using ferritin, an iron-storage protein.

Crystalline calcium phosphate and magnetic mineral content of Daphnia resting eggs.

Daphnia is a key crustacean zooplankton of freshwater food chains. One factor that ensures successful propagation is the Daphnia resting eggs, which are able to retain structural integrity under extreme conditions. Until recently little was known about the chemical composition, microanatomy, and physical properties of the egg itself.

Fabrication of nickel and chromium nanoparticles using the protein cage of apoferritin.

The iron storage protein, apoferritin, has a cavity in which iron is oxidized and stored as a hydrated oxide core. The size of the core is about 7 nm in diameter and is regulated by the cavity size. The cavity can be utilized as a nanoreactor to grow inorganic crystals.