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Chatterjee A, Pratakshya P, Kwansa AL, Kaimal N, Cannon AH, Sartori B, Marmiroli B, Orins H, Feng Z, Drake S, Couvrette J, Le L, Bernstorff S, Yingling YG, Gorodetsky AA. Squid Skin Cell-Inspired Refractive Index Mapping of Cells, Vesicles, and Nanostructures. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:978-990. [PMID: 36692450 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The fascination with the optical properties of naturally occurring systems has been driven in part by nature's ability to produce a diverse palette of vibrant colors from a relatively small number of common structural motifs. Within this context, some cephalopod species have evolved skin cells called iridophores and leucophores whose constituent ultrastructures reflect light in different ways but are composed of the same high refractive index material─a protein called reflectin. Although such natural optical systems have attracted much research interest, measuring the refractive indices of biomaterial-based structures across multiple different environments and establishing theoretical frameworks for accurately describing the obtained refractive index values has proven challenging. Herein, we employ a synergistic combination of experimental and computational methodologies to systematically map the three-dimensional refractive index distributions of model self-assembled reflectin-based structures both in vivo and in vitro. When considered together, our findings may improve understanding of squid skin cell functionality, augment existing methods for characterizing protein-based optical materials, and expand the utility of emerging holotomographic microscopy techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atrouli Chatterjee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Preeta Pratakshya
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Albert L Kwansa
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Nikhil Kaimal
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Andrew H Cannon
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Barbara Sartori
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Graz 8010, Austria
| | - Benedetta Marmiroli
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Graz 8010, Austria
| | - Helen Orins
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Zhijing Feng
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Samantha Drake
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Justin Couvrette
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - LeAnn Le
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | | | - Yaroslava G Yingling
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Alon A Gorodetsky
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
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2
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Masquelier E, Taxon E, Liang SP, Al Sabeh Y, Sepunaru L, Gordon MJ, Morse DE. A new electrochemical method that mimics phosphorylation of the core tau peptide K18 enables kinetic and structural analysis of intermediates and assembly. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:103011. [PMID: 36781124 PMCID: PMC10024187 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.103011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau protein's reversible assembly and binding of microtubules in brain neurons are regulated by charge-neutralizing phosphorylation, while its hyperphosphorylation drives the irreversible formation of cytotoxic filaments associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, the structural changes that facilitate these diverse functions are unclear. Here, we analyzed K18, a core peptide of tau, using newly developed spectroelectrochemical instrumentation that enables electroreduction as a surrogate for charge neutralization by phosphorylation, with simultaneous, real-time quantitative analyses of the resulting conformational transitions and assembly. We observed a tipping point between behaviors that paralleled the transition between tau's physiologically required, reversible folding and assembly and the irreversibility of assemblies. The resulting rapidly electroassembled structures represent the first fibrillar tangles of K18 that have been formed in vitro at room temperature without using heparin or other charge-complementary anionic partners. These methods make it possible to (i) trigger and analyze in real time the early stages of conformational transitions and assembly without the need for preformed seeds, heterogenous coacervation, or crowding; (ii) kinetically resolve and potentially isolate never-before-seen early intermediates in these processes; and (iii) develop assays for additional factors and mechanisms that can direct the trajectory of assembly from physiologically benign and reversible to potentially pathological and irreversible structures. We anticipate wide applicability of these methods to other amyloidogenic systems and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Masquelier
- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA; Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Esther Taxon
- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Sheng-Ping Liang
- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Yahya Al Sabeh
- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Lior Sepunaru
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Michael J Gordon
- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Daniel E Morse
- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA.
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3
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Song J, Liu C, Li B, Liu L, Zeng L, Ye Z, Wu W, Zhu L, Hu B. Synthetic peptides for the precise transportation of proteins of interests to selectable subcellular areas. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1062769. [PMID: 36890909 PMCID: PMC9986269 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1062769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins, as gifts from nature, provide structure, sequence, and function templates for designing biomaterials. As first reported here, one group of proteins called reflectins and derived peptides were found to present distinct intracellular distribution preferences. Taking their conserved motifs and flexible linkers as Lego bricks, a series of reflectin-derivates were designed and expressed in cells. The selective intracellular localization property leaned on an RMs (canonical conserved reflectin motifs)-replication-determined manner, suggesting that these linkers and motifs were constructional fragments and ready-to-use building blocks for synthetic design and construction. A precise spatiotemporal application demo was constructed in the work by integrating RLNto2 (as one representative of a synthetic peptide derived from RfA1) into the Tet-on system to effectively transport cargo peptides into nuclei at selective time points. Further, the intracellular localization of RfA1 derivatives was spatiotemporally controllable with a CRY2/CIB1 system. At last, the functional homogeneities of either motifs or linkers were verified, which made them standardized building blocks for synthetic biology. In summary, the work provides a modularized, orthotropic, and well-characterized synthetic-peptide warehouse for precisely regulating the nucleocytoplasmic localization of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Song
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chuanyang Liu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Baoshan Li
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Liangcheng Liu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Zeng
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zonghuang Ye
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjian Wu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lingyun Zhu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Biru Hu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Song J, Li B, Zeng L, Ye Z, Wu W, Hu B. A Mini-Review on Reflectins, from Biochemical Properties to Bio-Inspired Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415679. [PMID: 36555320 PMCID: PMC9779258 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Some cephalopods (squids, octopuses, and cuttlefishes) produce dynamic structural colors, for camouflage or communication. The key to this remarkable capability is one group of specialized cells called iridocytes, which contain aligned membrane-enclosed platelets of high-reflective reflectins and work as intracellular Bragg reflectors. These reflectins have unusual amino acid compositions and sequential properties, which endows them with functional characteristics: an extremely high reflective index among natural proteins and the ability to answer various environmental stimuli. Based on their unique material composition and responsive self-organization properties, the material community has developed an impressive array of reflectin- or iridocyte-inspired optical systems with distinct tunable reflectance according to a series of internal and external factors. More recently, scientists have made creative attempts to engineer mammalian cells to explore the function potentials of reflectin proteins as well as their working mechanism in the cellular environment. Progress in wide scientific areas (biophysics, genomics, gene editing, etc.) brings in new opportunities to better understand reflectins and new approaches to fully utilize them. The work introduced the composition features, biochemical properties, the latest developments, future considerations of reflectins, and their inspiration applications to give newcomers a comprehensive understanding and mutually exchanged knowledge from different communities (e.g., biology and material).
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Song
- Correspondence: (J.S.); (B.H.); Tel.: +86-18969697729 (J.S.); +86-13308492461 (B.H.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Biru Hu
- Correspondence: (J.S.); (B.H.); Tel.: +86-18969697729 (J.S.); +86-13308492461 (B.H.)
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Gueta O, Amiram M. Expanding the chemical repertoire of protein-based polymers for drug-delivery applications. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 190:114460. [PMID: 36030987 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Expanding the chemical repertoire of natural and artificial protein-based polymers (PBPs) can enable the production of sequence-defined, yet chemically diverse, biopolymers with customized or new properties that cannot be accessed in PBPs composed of only natural amino acids. Various approaches can enable the expansion of the chemical repertoire of PBPs, including chemical and enzymatic treatments or the incorporation of unnatural amino acids. These techniques are employed to install a wide variety of chemical groups-such as bio-orthogonally reactive, cross-linkable, post-translation modifications, and environmentally responsive groups-which, in turn, can facilitate the design of customized PBP-based drug-delivery systems with modified, fine-tuned, or entirely new properties and functions. Here, we detail the existing and emerging technologies for expanding the chemical repertoire of PBPs and review several chemical groups that either demonstrate or are anticipated to show potential in the design of PBP-based drug delivery systems. Finally, we provide our perspective on the remaining challenges and future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osher Gueta
- The Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Miriam Amiram
- The Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
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Song J, Liu C, Li B, Liu L, Zeng L, Ye Z, Mao T, Wu W, Hu B. Tunable Cellular Localization and Extensive Cytoskeleton-Interplay of Reflectins. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:862011. [PMID: 35813206 PMCID: PMC9259870 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.862011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reflectin proteins are natural copolymers consisting of repeated canonical domains. They are located in a biophotonic system called Bragg lamellae and manipulate the dynamic structural coloration of iridocytes. Their biological functions are intriguing, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Reflectin A1, A2, B1, and C were found to present distinguished cyto-/nucleoplasmic localization preferences in the work. Comparable intracellular localization was reproduced by truncated reflectin variants, suggesting a conceivable evolutionary order among reflectin proteins. The size-dependent access of reflectin variants into the nucleus demonstrated a potential model of how reflectins get into Bragg lamellae. Moreover, RfA1 was found to extensively interact with the cytoskeleton, including its binding to actin and enrichment at the microtubule organizing center. This implied that the cytoskeleton system plays a fundamental role during the organization and transportation of reflectin proteins. The findings presented here provide evidence to get an in-depth insight into the evolutionary processes and working mechanisms of reflectins, as well as novel molecular tools to achieve tunable intracellular transportation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Song
- College of Liberal Arts Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Junyi Song, ; Biru Hu,
| | - Chuanyang Liu
- College of Liberal Arts Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Baoshan Li
- College of Liberal Arts Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Liangcheng Liu
- College of Liberal Arts Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Ling Zeng
- College of Liberal Arts Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Zonghuang Ye
- College of Liberal Arts Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Ting Mao
- Logistics Center, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Wenjian Wu
- College of Liberal Arts Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Biru Hu
- College of Liberal Arts Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Junyi Song, ; Biru Hu,
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7
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At the Intersection of Natural Structural Coloration and Bioengineering. Biomimetics (Basel) 2022; 7:biomimetics7020066. [PMID: 35645193 PMCID: PMC9149877 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics7020066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Most of us get inspired by and interact with the world around us based on visual cues such as the colors and patterns that we see. In nature, coloration takes three primary forms: pigmentary coloration, structural coloration, and bioluminescence. Typically, pigmentary and structural coloration are used by animals and plants for their survival; however, few organisms are able to capture the nearly instantaneous and visually astounding display that cephalopods (e.g., octopi, squid, and cuttlefish) exhibit. Notably, the structural coloration of these cephalopods critically relies on a unique family of proteins known as reflectins. As a result, there is growing interest in characterizing the structure and function of such optically-active proteins (e.g., reflectins) and to leverage these materials across a broad range of disciplines, including bioengineering. In this review, I begin by briefly introducing pigmentary and structural coloration in animals and plants as well as highlighting the extraordinary appearance-changing capabilities of cephalopods. Next, I outline recent advances in the characterization and utilization of reflectins for photonic technologies and and discuss general strategies and limitations for the structural and optical characterization of proteins. Finally, I explore future directions of study for optically-active proteins and their potential applications. Altogether, this review aims to bring together an interdisciplinary group of researchers who can resolve the fundamental questions regarding the structure, function, and self-assembly of optically-active protein-based materials.
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8
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Loke JJ, Hoon S, Miserez A. Cephalopod-Mimetic Tunable Photonic Coatings Assembled from Quasi-Monodispersed Reflectin Protein Nanoparticles. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:21436-21452. [PMID: 35476418 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c01999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The remarkable dynamic camouflage ability of cephalopods arises from precisely orchestrated structural changes within their chromatophores and iridophores photonic cells. This mesmerizing color display remains unmatched in synthetic coatings and is regulated by swelling/deswelling of reflectin protein nanoparticles, which alters platelet dimensions in iridophores to control photonic patterns according to Bragg's law. Toward mimicking the photonic response of squid's skin, reflectin proteins from Sepioteuthis lessioniana were sequenced, recombinantly expressed, and self-assembled into spherical nanoparticles by conjugating reflectin B1 with a click chemistry ligand. These quasi-monodisperse nanoparticles can be tuned to any desired size in the 170-1000 nm range. Using Langmuir-Schaefer and drop-cast deposition methods, ligand-conjugated reflectin B1 nanoparticles were immobilized onto azide-functionalized substrates via click chemistry to produce monolayer amorphous photonic structures with tunable structural colors based on average particle size, paving the way for the fabrication of eco-friendly, bioinspired color-changing coatings that mimic cephalopods' dynamic camouflage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Jie Loke
- Centre for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Shawn Hoon
- Molecular Engineering Lab, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Ali Miserez
- Centre for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 639798, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 637551, Singapore
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9
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Masquelier E, Liang SP, Sepunaru L, Morse DE, Gordon MJ. Reversible electrochemical triggering and optical interrogation of polylysine α-helix formation. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 144:108007. [PMID: 34871847 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.108007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Reversible electrochemical triggering of the random coil to α-helix conformational transition of polylysine (Lys10, Lys20, Lys50) was accomplished at a Pt electrode at potentials < |1| V vs. Ag/AgCl. Direct electroreduction of the N-terminus vs ε-amino groups in Lys sidechains, as well as hydronium reduction and electrolysis, could be easily distinguished and deconvolved using differential pulse voltammetry. Electrochemistry was coupled with in situ UV absorbance and circular dichroism spectroscopies to dynamically follow the evolution of α-helix formation at different potentials. Isotope experiments in H2O vs. D2O unequivocally confirm that direct electroreduction of ε-NH3+/ND3+ groups in Lys sidechains, rather than electrochemically generated pH gradient-induced deprotonation, leads to subsequent α-helix formation. The site-selective electrochemistry and optical methodologies presented herein can be generalized and extended to interrogate other protonation-sensitive biomolecular systems, and potentially provide access to early intermediates and control over the dynamic structural evolution of peptides and proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Masquelier
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Sheng-Ping Liang
- Dept. Of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Lior Sepunaru
- Dept. Of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Daniel E Morse
- Dept. Of Molecular, Cellular and Development Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, United States; Institue for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Michael J Gordon
- Dept. Of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, United States; Institue for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, United States.
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10
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Shamilov R, Robinson VL, Aneskievich BJ. Seeing Keratinocyte Proteins through the Looking Glass of Intrinsic Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157912. [PMID: 34360678 PMCID: PMC8348711 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal keratinocyte proteins include many with an eccentric amino acid content (compositional bias), atypical ultrastructural fate (built-in protease sensitivity), or assembly visible at the light microscope level (cytoplasmic granules). However, when considered through the looking glass of intrinsic disorder (ID), these apparent oddities seem quite expected. Keratinocyte proteins with highly repetitive motifs are of low complexity but high adaptation, providing polymers (e.g., profilaggrin) for proteolysis into bioactive derivatives, or monomers (e.g., loricrin) repeatedly cross-linked to self and other proteins to shield underlying tissue. Keratohyalin granules developing from liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) show that unique biomolecular condensates (BMC) and proteinaceous membraneless organelles (PMLO) occur in these highly customized cells. We conducted bioinformatic and in silico assessments of representative keratinocyte differentiation-dependent proteins. This was conducted in the context of them having demonstrated potential ID with the prospect of that characteristic driving formation of distinctive keratinocyte structures. Intriguingly, while ID is characteristic of many of these proteins, it does not appear to guarantee LLPS, nor is it required for incorporation into certain keratinocyte protein condensates. Further examination of keratinocyte-specific proteins will provide variations in the theme of PMLO, possibly recognizing new BMC for advancements in understanding intrinsically disordered proteins as reflected by keratinocyte biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rambon Shamilov
- Graduate Program in Pharmacology & Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA;
| | - Victoria L. Robinson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA;
| | - Brian J. Aneskievich
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-860-486-3053
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11
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Wolde-Michael E, Roberts AD, Heyes DJ, Dumanli AG, Blaker JJ, Takano E, Scrutton NS. Design and fabrication of recombinant reflectin-based multilayer reflectors: bio-design engineering and photoisomerism induced wavelength modulation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14580. [PMID: 34272457 PMCID: PMC8285536 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94042-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The remarkable camouflage capabilities of cephalopods have inspired many to develop dynamic optical materials which exploit certain design principles and/or material properties from cephalopod dermal cells. Here, the angle-dependent optical properties of various single-layer reflectin thin-films on Si wafers are characterized within the UV-Vis-NIR regions. Following this, initial efforts to design, fabricate, and optically characterize a bio-inspired reflectin-based multilayer reflector is described, which was found to conserve the optical properties of single layer films but exhibit reduced angle-dependent visible reflectivity. Finally, we report the integration of phytochrome visible light-induced isomerism into reflectin-based films, which was found to subtly modulate reflectin thin-film reflectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Wolde-Michael
- Department of Chemistry, EPSRC/BBSRC Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Aled D Roberts
- Department of Chemistry, EPSRC/BBSRC Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Derren J Heyes
- Department of Chemistry, EPSRC/BBSRC Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Ahu G Dumanli
- Department of Materials and Henry Royce Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jonny J Blaker
- Department of Materials and Henry Royce Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Eriko Takano
- Department of Chemistry, EPSRC/BBSRC Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Nigel S Scrutton
- Department of Chemistry, EPSRC/BBSRC Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
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12
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Deravi LF. Compositional similarities that link the eyes and skin of cephalopods: Implications in optical sensing and signaling during camouflage. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:1511-1516. [PMID: 34160621 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cephalopods, including squid, octopus, and cuttlefish, can rapidly camouflage in different underwater environments by employing multiple optical effects including light scattering, absorption, reflection, and refraction. They can do so with exquisite control and within a fraction of a second-two features that indicate distributed, intra-dermal sensory and signaling components. However, the fundamental biochemical, electrical, and mechanical controls that regulate color and color change, from discrete elements to interconnected modules, are still not fully understood despite decades of research in this space. This perspective highlights key advancements in the biochemical analysis of cephalopod skin and discusses compositional connections between cephalopod ocular lenses and skin with features that may also facilitate signal transduction during camouflage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila F Deravi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, 102 Hurtig Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
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13
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Umerani MJ, Pratakshya P, Chatterjee A, Cerna Sanchez JA, Kim HS, Ilc G, Kovačič M, Magnan C, Marmiroli B, Sartori B, Kwansa AL, Orins H, Bartlett AW, Leung EM, Feng Z, Naughton KL, Norton-Baker B, Phan L, Long J, Allevato A, Leal-Cruz JE, Lin Q, Baldi P, Bernstorff S, Plavec J, Yingling YG, Gorodetsky AA. Structure, self-assembly, and properties of a truncated reflectin variant. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:32891-32901. [PMID: 33323484 PMCID: PMC7780002 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2009044117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring and recombinant protein-based materials are frequently employed for the study of fundamental biological processes and are often leveraged for applications in areas as diverse as electronics, optics, bioengineering, medicine, and even fashion. Within this context, unique structural proteins known as reflectins have recently attracted substantial attention due to their key roles in the fascinating color-changing capabilities of cephalopods and their technological potential as biophotonic and bioelectronic materials. However, progress toward understanding reflectins has been hindered by their atypical aromatic and charged residue-enriched sequences, extreme sensitivities to subtle changes in environmental conditions, and well-known propensities for aggregation. Herein, we elucidate the structure of a reflectin variant at the molecular level, demonstrate a straightforward mechanical agitation-based methodology for controlling this variant's hierarchical assembly, and establish a direct correlation between the protein's structural characteristics and intrinsic optical properties. Altogether, our findings address multiple challenges associated with the development of reflectins as materials, furnish molecular-level insight into the mechanistic underpinnings of cephalopod skin cells' color-changing functionalities, and may inform new research directions across biochemistry, cellular biology, bioengineering, and optics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehran J. Umerani
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | | | - Atrouli Chatterjee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Juana A. Cerna Sanchez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Ho Shin Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Gregor Ilc
- Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matic Kovačič
- Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Christophe Magnan
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Benedetta Marmiroli
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Barbara Sartori
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Albert L. Kwansa
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Helen Orins
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Andrew W. Bartlett
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Erica M. Leung
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Zhijing Feng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Kyle L. Naughton
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | | | - Long Phan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - James Long
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Alex Allevato
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Jessica E. Leal-Cruz
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Qiyin Lin
- Irvine Materials Research Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Pierre Baldi
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | | | - Janez Plavec
- Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Yaroslava G. Yingling
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Alon A. Gorodetsky
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
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14
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Liang SP, Levenson R, Malady B, Gordon MJ, Morse DE, Sepunaru L. Electrochemistry as a surrogate for protein phosphorylation: voltage-controlled assembly of reflectin A1. J R Soc Interface 2020; 17:20200774. [PMID: 33259748 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation is among the most widely distributed mechanisms regulating the tunable structure and function of proteins in response to neuronal, hormonal and environmental signals. We demonstrate here that the low-voltage electrochemical reduction of histidine residues in reflectin A1, a protein that mediates the neuronal fine-tuning of colour reflected from skin cells for camouflage and communication in squids, acts as an in vitro surrogate for phosphorylation in vivo, driving the assembly previously shown to regulate its function. Using micro-drop voltammetry and a newly designed electrochemical cell integrated with an instrument measuring dynamic light scattering, we demonstrate selective reduction of the imidazolium side chains of histidine in monomers, oligopeptides and this complex protein in solution. The formal reduction potential of imidazolium proves readily distinguishable from those of hydronium and primary amines, allowing unequivocal confirmation of the direct and energetically selective deprotonation of histidine in the protein. The resulting 'electro-assembly' provides a new approach to probe, understand, and control the mechanisms that dynamically tune protein structure and function in normal physiology and disease. With its abilities to serve as a surrogate for phosphorylation and other mechanisms of charge neutralization, and to potentially isolate early intermediates in protein assembly, this method may be useful for analysing never-before-seen early intermediates in the phosphorylation-driven assembly of other proteins in normal physiology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Ping Liang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Building 232, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9510, USA
| | - Robert Levenson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9625, USA.,Soka University of America, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656, USA
| | - Brandon Malady
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9625, USA
| | - Michael J Gordon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080, USA.,Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5100, USA
| | - Daniel E Morse
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9625, USA.,Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5100, USA
| | - Lior Sepunaru
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Building 232, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9510, USA
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15
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Fang Y, Meng L, Prominski A, Schaumann EN, Seebald M, Tian B. Recent advances in bioelectronics chemistry. Chem Soc Rev 2020. [PMID: 32672777 DOI: 10.1039/d1030cs00333f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Research in bioelectronics is highly interdisciplinary, with many new developments being based on techniques from across the physical and life sciences. Advances in our understanding of the fundamental chemistry underlying the materials used in bioelectronic applications have been a crucial component of many recent discoveries. In this review, we highlight ways in which a chemistry-oriented perspective may facilitate novel and deep insights into both the fundamental scientific understanding and the design of materials, which can in turn tune the functionality and biocompatibility of bioelectronic devices. We provide an in-depth examination of several developments in the field, organized by the chemical properties of the materials. We conclude by surveying how some of the latest major topics of chemical research may be further integrated with bioelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Fang
- The James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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16
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Fang Y, Meng L, Prominski A, Schaumann E, Seebald M, Tian B. Recent advances in bioelectronics chemistry. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:7978-8035. [PMID: 32672777 PMCID: PMC7674226 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00333f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Research in bioelectronics is highly interdisciplinary, with many new developments being based on techniques from across the physical and life sciences. Advances in our understanding of the fundamental chemistry underlying the materials used in bioelectronic applications have been a crucial component of many recent discoveries. In this review, we highlight ways in which a chemistry-oriented perspective may facilitate novel and deep insights into both the fundamental scientific understanding and the design of materials, which can in turn tune the functionality and biocompatibility of bioelectronic devices. We provide an in-depth examination of several developments in the field, organized by the chemical properties of the materials. We conclude by surveying how some of the latest major topics of chemical research may be further integrated with bioelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Fang
- The James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Lingyuan Meng
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | | | - Erik Schaumann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Matthew Seebald
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Bozhi Tian
- The James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- The Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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17
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Abstract
Although many animals have evolved intrinsic transparency for the purpose of concealment, the development of dynamic, that is, controllable and reversible, transparency for living human cells and tissues has remained elusive to date. Here, by drawing inspiration from the structures and functionalities of adaptive cephalopod skin cells, we design and engineer human cells that contain reconfigurable protein-based photonic architectures and, as a result, possess tunable transparency-changing and light-scattering capabilities. Our findings may lead to the development of unique biophotonic tools for applications in materials science and bioengineering and may also facilitate an improved understanding of a wide range of biological systems. While organisms like squid can adaptively modulate the optical properties of their tissues, human cells lack analogous abilities. Here the authors engineer human cells to produce protein architectures with tunable light scattering functionalities.
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18
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Song J, Levenson R, Santos J, Velazquez L, Zhang F, Fygenson D, Wu W, Morse DE. Reflectin Proteins Bind and Reorganize Synthetic Phospholipid Vesicles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:2673-2682. [PMID: 32097553 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b03632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The reflectin proteins have been extensively studied for their role in reflectance in cephalopods. In the recently evolved Loliginid squids, these proteins and the structural color they regulate are dynamically tunable, enhancing their effectiveness for camouflage and communication. In these species, the reflectins are found in highest concentrations within the structurally tunable, membrane enclosed, periodically stacked lamellae of subcellular Bragg reflectors and in the intracellular vesicles of specialized skin cells known as iridocytes and leuocophores, respectively. To better understand the interactions between the reflectins and the membrane structures that encompass them, we analyzed the interactions of two purified reflectins with synthetic phospholipid membrane vesicles similar in composition to cellular membranes, using confocal fluorescence microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The purified recombinant reflectins were found to drive multivalent vesicle agglomeration in a ratio-dependent and saturable manner. Extensive proteolytic digestion terminated with PMSF of the reflectin A1-vesicle complexes triggered energetic membrane rearrangement, resulting in vesicle fusion, fission, and tubulation. This behavior contrasted markedly with that of vesicles complexed with reflectin C, from which PMSF-terminated proteolysis only released the original size vesicles. Clues to the basis for this difference, residing in significant differences between the structures of the two reflectins, led to the suggestion that specific reflectin-membrane interactions may play a role in the ontogenetic formation, long-term maintenance, and/or dynamic behavior of their biophotonically active host membrane nanostructures. Similar energetic remodeling has been associated with osmotic stress in other membrane systems, suggesting a path to reconstitution of the biophotonic system in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Song
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100, United States
| | - Robert Levenson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100, United States
| | - Jerome Santos
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100, United States
| | - Lourdes Velazquez
- Physics Department and California Nanosystems Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Fan Zhang
- College of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Deborah Fygenson
- Physics Department and California Nanosystems Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Wenjian Wu
- College of Liberal Arts and Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410073, China
| | - Daniel E Morse
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100, United States
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19
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Levenson R, Bracken C, Sharma C, Santos J, Arata C, Malady B, Morse DE. Calibration between trigger and color: Neutralization of a genetically encoded coulombic switch and dynamic arrest precisely tune reflectin assembly. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:16804-16815. [PMID: 31558609 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Reflectin proteins are widely distributed in reflective structures in cephalopods. However, only in loliginid squids are they and the subwavelength photonic structures they control dynamically tunable, driving changes in skin color for camouflage and communication. The reflectins are block copolymers with repeated canonical domains interspersed with cationic linkers. Neurotransmitter-activated signal transduction culminates in catalytic phosphorylation of the tunable reflectins' cationic linkers; the resulting charge neutralization overcomes coulombic repulsion to progressively allow condensation, folding, and assembly into multimeric spheres of tunable well-defined size and low polydispersity. Here, we used dynamic light scattering, transmission EM, CD, atomic force microscopy, and fluorimetry to analyze the structural transitions of reflectins A1 and A2. We also analyzed the assembly behavior of phosphomimetic, deletion, and other mutants in conjunction with pH titration as an in vitro surrogate of phosphorylation. Our experiments uncovered a previously unsuspected, precisely predictive relationship between the extent of neutralization of a reflectin's net charge density and the size of resulting multimeric protein assemblies of narrow polydispersity. Comparisons of mutants revealed that this sensitivity to neutralization resides in the linkers and is spatially distributed along the protein. Imaging of large particles and analysis of sequence composition suggested that assembly may proceed through a dynamically arrested liquid-liquid phase-separated intermediate. Intriguingly, it is this dynamic arrest that enables the observed fine-tuning by charge and the resulting calibration between neuronal trigger and color in the squid. These results offer insights into the basis of reflectin-based biophotonics, opening paths for the design of new materials with tunable properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Levenson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100
| | - Colton Bracken
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100
| | - Cristian Sharma
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100
| | - Jerome Santos
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100
| | - Claire Arata
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100
| | - Brandon Malady
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100
| | - Daniel E Morse
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100
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20
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Roberts AD, Finnigan W, Wolde-Michael E, Kelly P, Blaker JJ, Hay S, Breitling R, Takano E, Scrutton NS. Synthetic biology for fibres, adhesives and active camouflage materials in protection and aerospace. MRS COMMUNICATIONS 2019; 9:486-504. [PMID: 31281737 PMCID: PMC6609449 DOI: 10.1557/mrc.2019.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology has huge potential to produce the next generation of advanced materials by accessing previously unreachable (bio)chemical space. In this prospective review, we take a snapshot of current activity in this rapidly developing area, focussing on prominent examples for high-performance applications such as those required for protective materials and the aerospace sector. The continued growth of this emerging field will be facilitated by the convergence of expertise from a range of diverse disciplines, including molecular biology, polymer chemistry, materials science and process engineering. This review highlights the most significant recent advances and address the cross-disciplinary challenges currently being faced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aled D. Roberts
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology
Research Centre SYBIOCHEM, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester,
Manchester, UK, M1 7DN
- Bio-Active Materials Group, School of Materials, The University of
Manchester, Manchester, UK, M13 9PL
| | - William Finnigan
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology
Research Centre SYBIOCHEM, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester,
Manchester, UK, M1 7DN
| | - Emmanuel Wolde-Michael
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology
Research Centre SYBIOCHEM, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester,
Manchester, UK, M1 7DN
| | - Paul Kelly
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology
Research Centre SYBIOCHEM, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester,
Manchester, UK, M1 7DN
| | - Jonny J. Blaker
- Bio-Active Materials Group, School of Materials, The University of
Manchester, Manchester, UK, M13 9PL
| | - Sam Hay
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology
Research Centre SYBIOCHEM, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester,
Manchester, UK, M1 7DN
| | - Rainer Breitling
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology
Research Centre SYBIOCHEM, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester,
Manchester, UK, M1 7DN
| | - Eriko Takano
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology
Research Centre SYBIOCHEM, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester,
Manchester, UK, M1 7DN
| | - Nigel S. Scrutton
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology
Research Centre SYBIOCHEM, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester,
Manchester, UK, M1 7DN
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21
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Cai T, Han K, Yang P, Zhu Z, Jiang M, Huang Y, Xie C. Reconstruction of Dynamic and Reversible Color Change using Reflectin Protein. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5201. [PMID: 30914749 PMCID: PMC6435677 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41638-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cephalopods have remarkable ability to change their body color across a wide range of wavelengths, yet the structural basis remains largely unknown. Reflectin, a protein family assumed to be responsible for structural color in cephalopods, has unique features of higher-order assembly that are tightly regulated by aromatic molecules. Here, we reconstructed the dynamic and reversible color change using purified reflectin protein and demonstrated how the conformational change and the status of assembly led to the change in optical properties. In addition, optical spectral and structural analyses indicated that the “cephalopod-blue” primarily resulted from wavelength-dependent light scattering rather than reflection. Our results suggest a possible role of reflectin in color dynamics. The in vitro reconstruction system we present here may serve as an initial step for designing bio-inspired optical materials based on reflectin protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Kui Han
- Biodynamic Optical Imaging Center (BIOPIC), Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Peilin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zhou Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Mengcheng Jiang
- Biodynamic Optical Imaging Center (BIOPIC), Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanyi Huang
- Biodynamic Optical Imaging Center (BIOPIC), Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Engineering, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Can Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China. .,Beijing Computational Science Research Center, The Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, Beijing, 100084, China.
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22
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Williams TL, Senft SL, Yeo J, Martín-Martínez FJ, Kuzirian AM, Martin CA, DiBona CW, Chen CT, Dinneen SR, Nguyen HT, Gomes CM, Rosenthal JJC, MacManes MD, Chu F, Buehler MJ, Hanlon RT, Deravi LF. Dynamic pigmentary and structural coloration within cephalopod chromatophore organs. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1004. [PMID: 30824708 PMCID: PMC6397165 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08891-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatophore organs in cephalopod skin are known to produce ultra-fast changes in appearance for camouflage and communication. Light-scattering pigment granules within chromatocytes have been presumed to be the sole source of coloration in these complex organs. We report the discovery of structural coloration emanating in precise register with expanded pigmented chromatocytes. Concurrently, using an annotated squid chromatophore proteome together with microscopy, we identify a likely biochemical component of this reflective coloration as reflectin proteins distributed in sheath cells that envelop each chromatocyte. Additionally, within the chromatocytes, where the pigment resides in nanostructured granules, we find the lens protein Ω- crystallin interfacing tightly with pigment molecules. These findings offer fresh perspectives on the intricate biophotonic interplay between pigmentary and structural coloration elements tightly co-located within the same dynamic flexible organ - a feature that may help inspire the development of new classes of engineered materials that change color and pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L Williams
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Stephen L Senft
- The Eugene Bell Center, The Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA
| | - Jingjie Yeo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.,Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Institute of High Performance Computing, A*STAR, Singapore, 138632, Singapore
| | - Francisco J Martín-Martínez
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Alan M Kuzirian
- The Eugene Bell Center, The Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA
| | - Camille A Martin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Christopher W DiBona
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Chun-Teh Chen
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Sean R Dinneen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Hieu T Nguyen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - Conor M Gomes
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Joshua J C Rosenthal
- The Eugene Bell Center, The Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA
| | - Matthew D MacManes
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - Feixia Chu
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - Markus J Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Roger T Hanlon
- The Eugene Bell Center, The Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA.
| | - Leila F Deravi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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23
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Airoldi CA, Ferria J, Glover BJ. The cellular and genetic basis of structural colour in plants. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2019; 47:81-87. [PMID: 30399605 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
While the pathways that produce plant pigments have been well studied for decades, the use by plants of nanoscale structures to produce colour effects has only recently begun to be studied. A variety of plants from across the plant kingdom have been shown to use different mechanism to generate structural colours in tissues as diverse as leaves, flowers and fruits. In this review we explore the cellular mechanisms by which these nanoscale structures are built and discuss the first insights that have been published into the genetic pathways underpinning these traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara A Airoldi
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Jordan Ferria
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Beverley J Glover
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK.
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24
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Chatterjee A, Norton-Baker B, Bagge LE, Patel P, Gorodetsky AA. An introduction to color-changing systems from the cephalopod protein reflectin. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2018; 13:045001. [PMID: 29799434 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/aab804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Cephalopods possess unrivaled camouflage and signaling abilities that are enabled by their sophisticated skin, wherein multiple layers contain chromatophore pigment cells (as part of larger chromatophore organs) and different types of reflective cells called iridocytes and leucophores. The optical functionality of these cells (and thus cephalopod skin) critically relies upon subcellular structures partially composed of unusual structural proteins known as reflectins. Herein, we highlight studies that have investigated reflectins as materials within the context of color-changing coatings. We in turn discuss these proteins' multi-faceted properties, associated challenges, and future potential. Through our presentation of selected case studies, we hope to stimulate additional dialogue and spur further research on photonic technologies based on and inspired by reflectins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atrouli Chatterjee
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
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25
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Chan LW, Morse DE, Gordon MJ. Moth eye-inspired anti-reflective surfaces for improved IR optical systems & visible LEDs fabricated with colloidal lithography and etching. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2018; 13:041001. [PMID: 29547135 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/aab738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Near- and sub-wavelength photonic structures are used by numerous organisms (e.g. insects, cephalopods, fish, birds) to create vivid and often dynamically-tunable colors, as well as create, manipulate, or capture light for vision, communication, crypsis, photosynthesis, and defense. This review introduces the physics of moth eye (ME)-like, biomimetic nanostructures and discusses their application to reduce optical losses and improve efficiency of various optoelectronic devices, including photodetectors, photovoltaics, imagers, and light emitting diodes. Light-matter interactions at structured and heterogeneous surfaces over different length scales are discussed, as are the various methods used to create ME-inspired surfaces. Special interest is placed on a simple, scalable, and tunable method, namely colloidal lithography with plasma dry etching, to fabricate ME-inspired nanostructures in a vast suite of materials. Anti-reflective surfaces and coatings for IR devices and enhancing light extraction from visible light emitting diodes are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley W Chan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080, United States of America
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Kautz R, Ordinario DD, Tyagi V, Patel P, Nguyen TN, Gorodetsky AA. Cephalopod-Derived Biopolymers for Ionic and Protonic Transistors. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1704917. [PMID: 29656448 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201704917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Cephalopods (e.g., squid, octopuses, and cuttlefish) have long fascinated scientists and the general public alike due to their complex behavioral characteristics and remarkable camouflage abilities. As such, these animals are explored as model systems in neuroscience and represent a well-known commercial resource. Herein, selected literature examples related to the electrical properties of cephalopod-derived biopolymers (eumelanins, chitosans, and reflectins) and to the use of these materials in voltage-gated devices (i.e., transistors) are highlighted. Moreover, some potential future directions and challenges in this area are described, with the aim of inspiring additional research effort on ionic and protonic transistors from cephalopod-derived biopolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rylan Kautz
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - David D Ordinario
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Systems, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Vivek Tyagi
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Priyam Patel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Tam N Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Alon A Gorodetsky
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
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27
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Kolle M, Lee S. Progress and Opportunities in Soft Photonics and Biologically Inspired Optics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:1702669. [PMID: 29057519 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201702669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Optical components made fully or partially from reconfigurable, stimuli-responsive, soft solids or fluids-collectively referred to as soft photonics-are poised to form the platform for tunable optical devices with unprecedented functionality and performance characteristics. Currently, however, soft solid and fluid material systems still represent an underutilized class of materials in the optical engineers' toolbox. This is in part due to challenges in fabrication, integration, and structural control on the nano- and microscale associated with the application of soft components in optics. These challenges might be addressed with the help of a resourceful ally: nature. Organisms from many different phyla have evolved an impressive arsenal of light manipulation strategies that rely on the ability to generate and dynamically reconfigure hierarchically structured, complex optical material designs, often involving soft or fluid components. A comprehensive understanding of design concepts, structure formation principles, material integration, and control mechanisms employed in biological photonic systems will allow this study to challenge current paradigms in optical technology. This review provides an overview of recent developments in the fields of soft photonics and biologically inspired optics, emphasizes the ties between the two fields, and outlines future opportunities that result from advancements in soft and bioinspired photonics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Kolle
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Seungwoo Lee
- SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT), Department of Nano Engineering and School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
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Guan Z, Cai T, Liu Z, Dou Y, Hu X, Zhang P, Sun X, Li H, Kuang Y, Zhai Q, Ruan H, Li X, Li Z, Zhu Q, Mai J, Wang Q, Lai L, Ji J, Liu H, Xia B, Jiang T, Luo SJ, Wang HW, Xie C. Origin of the Reflectin Gene and Hierarchical Assembly of Its Protein. Curr Biol 2017; 27:2833-2842.e6. [PMID: 28889973 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.07.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Cephalopods, the group of animals including octopus, squid, and cuttlefish, have remarkable ability to instantly modulate body coloration and patterns so as to blend into surrounding environments [1, 2] or send warning signals to other animals [3]. Reflectin is expressed exclusively in cephalopods, filling the lamellae of intracellular Bragg reflectors that exhibit dynamic iridescence and structural color change [4]. Here, we trace the possible origin of the reflectin gene back to a transposon from the symbiotic bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri and report the hierarchical structural architecture of reflectin protein. Intrinsic self-assembly, and higher-order assembly tightly modulated by aromatic compounds, provide insights into the formation of multilayer reflectors in iridophores and spherical microparticles in leucophores and may form the basis of structural color change in cephalopods. Self-assembly and higher-order assembly in reflectin originated from a core repeating octapeptide (here named protopeptide), which may be from the same symbiotic bacteria. The origin of the reflectin gene and assembly features of reflectin protein are of considerable biological interest. The hierarchical structural architecture of reflectin and its domain and protopeptide not only provide insights for bioinspired photonic materials but also serve as unique "assembly tags" and feasible molecular platforms in biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Tiantian Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhongmin Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Science, Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yunfeng Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xuesong Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Center for Systems Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China; Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xin Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hongwei Li
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yao Kuang
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qiran Zhai
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hao Ruan
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xuanxuan Li
- Beijing Computational Science Research Center, The Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, Beijing 100084, China; Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100086, China
| | - Zeyang Li
- The State Laboratory of Protein Engineering and Plant Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qihui Zhu
- The Robotics Research Group, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jingeng Mai
- The Robotics Research Group, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qining Wang
- The Robotics Research Group, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Luhua Lai
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jianguo Ji
- The State Laboratory of Protein Engineering and Plant Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Haiguang Liu
- Beijing Computational Science Research Center, The Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bin Xia
- Beijing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Taijiao Jiang
- Center for Systems Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China; Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shu-Jin Luo
- School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hong-Wei Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Science, Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Can Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Beijing Computational Science Research Center, The Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, Beijing 100084, China.
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Naughton KL, Phan L, Leung EM, Kautz R, Lin Q, Van Dyke Y, Marmiroli B, Sartori B, Arvai A, Li S, Pique ME, Naeim M, Kerr JP, Aquino MJ, Roberts VA, Getzoff ED, Zhu C, Bernstorff S, Gorodetsky AA. Self-Assembly of the Cephalopod Protein Reflectin. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2016; 28:8405-8412. [PMID: 27454809 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201601666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2016] [Revised: 05/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Films from the cephalopod protein reflectin demonstrate multifaceted functionality as infrared camouflage coatings, proton transport media, and substrates for growth of neural stem cells. A detailed study of the in vitro formation, structural characteristics, and stimulus response of such films is presented. The reported observations hold implications for the design and development of advanced cephalopod-inspired functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle L Naughton
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Long Phan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Erica M Leung
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Rylan Kautz
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Qiyin Lin
- Laboratory for Electron and X-Ray Instrumentation, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Yegor Van Dyke
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Benedetta Marmiroli
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9/IV, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Barbara Sartori
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9/IV, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Andy Arvai
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Michael E Pique
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Mahan Naeim
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Justin P Kerr
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Mercedeez J Aquino
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Victoria A Roberts
- San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Elizabeth D Getzoff
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Chenhui Zhu
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Sigrid Bernstorff
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alon A Gorodetsky
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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Williams TL, DiBona CW, Dinneen SR, Labadie SFJ, Chu F, Deravi LF. Contributions of Phenoxazone-Based Pigments to the Structure and Function of Nanostructured Granules in Squid Chromatophores. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2016; 32:3754-3759. [PMID: 27049640 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b00243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the structure-function relationships of pigment-based nanostructures can provide insight into the molecular mechanisms behind biological signaling, camouflage, or communication experienced in many species. In squid Doryteuthis pealeii, combinations of phenoxazone-based pigments are identified as the source of visible color within the nanostructured granules that populate dermal chromatophore organs. In the absence of the pigments, granules experience a reduction in diameter with the loss of visible color, suggesting important structural and functional features. Energy gaps are estimated from electronic absorption spectra, revealing highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies that are dependent upon the varying carboxylated states of the pigment. These results implicate a hierarchical mechanism for the bulk coloration in cephalopods originating from the molecular components confined within in the nanostructured granules of chromatophore organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L Williams
- Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, and ∥Materials Science Program, University of New Hampshire , Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Christopher W DiBona
- Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, and ∥Materials Science Program, University of New Hampshire , Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Sean R Dinneen
- Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, and ∥Materials Science Program, University of New Hampshire , Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Stephanie F Jones Labadie
- Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, and ∥Materials Science Program, University of New Hampshire , Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Feixia Chu
- Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, and ∥Materials Science Program, University of New Hampshire , Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Leila F Deravi
- Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, and ∥Materials Science Program, University of New Hampshire , Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
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31
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Ordinario DD, Phan L, Walkup IV WG, Van Dyke Y, Leung EM, Nguyen M, Smith AG, Kerr J, Naeim M, Kymissis I, Gorodetsky AA. Production and electrical characterization of the reflectin A2 isoform from Doryteuthis (Loligo) pealeii. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra05405f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We report an improved methodology for the production of cephalopod proteins known as reflectins. Our findings may afford new opportunities for the study of these proteins’ multifaceted materials properties.
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