Frustulins: domain conservation in a protein family associated with diatom cell walls

How to identify biofouling species in marine and freshwater

The identification and management of biofouling remain pressing challenges in marine and freshwater ecosystems, with significant implications for environmental sustainability and industrial operations. This comprehensive review synthesizes the current state-of-the-art in biofouling identification technologies, examining eight prominent methodologies: Microscopy Examination, Molecular Biology, Remote Sensing, Community Involvement, Ecological Methods, Artificial Intelligence, Chemical Analysis, and Macro Photography. Each method is evaluated for its respective advantages and disadvantages, considering factors such as precision, scalability, cost, and data quality. Furthermore, the review identifies current obstacles that inhibit the optimal utilization of these technologies, ranging from technical limitations and high operational costs to issues of data inconsistency and subjectivity. Finally, the review posits a future outlook, advocating for the development of integrated, standardized systems that amalgamate the strengths of individual approaches. Such advancement will pave the way for more effective and sustainable strategies for biofouling identification and management.

On the role of cell surface associated, mucin-like glycoproteins in the pennate diatom Craspedostauros australis (Bacillariophyceae)

Diatoms are single-celled microalgae with silica-based cell walls (frustules) that are abundantly present in aquatic habitats, and form the basis of the food chain in many ecosystems. Many benthic diatoms have the remarkable ability to glide on all natural or man-made underwater surfaces using a carbohydrate- and protein-based adhesive to generate traction. Previously, three glycoproteins, termed FACs (Frustule Associated Components), have been identified from the common fouling diatom Craspedostauros australis and were implicated in surface adhesion through inhibition studies with a glycan-specific antibody. The polypeptide sequences of FACs remained unknown, and it was unresolved whether the FAC glycoproteins are indeed involved in adhesion, or whether this is achieved by different components sharing the same glycan epitope with FACs. Here we have determined the polypeptide sequences of FACs using peptide mapping by LC-MS/MS. Unexpectedly, FACs share the same polypeptide backbone (termed CaFAP1), which has a domain structure of alternating Cys-rich and Pro-Thr/Ser-rich regions reminiscent of the gel-forming mucins. By developing a genetic transformation system for C. australis, we were able to directly investigate the function of CaFAP1-based glycoproteins in vivo. GFP-tagging of CaFAP1 revealed that it constitutes a coat around all parts of the frustule and is not an integral component of the adhesive. CaFAP1-GFP producing transformants exhibited the same properties as wild type cells regarding surface adhesion and motility speed. Our results demonstrate that FAC glycoproteins are not involved in adhesion and motility, but might rather act as a lubricant to prevent fouling of the diatom surface.

Computational modelling of diatom silicic acid transporters predicts a conserved fold with implications for their function and evolution

Diatoms are an important group of algae that can produce intricate silicified cell walls (frustules). The complex process of silicification involves a set of enigmatic integral membrane proteins that are thought to actively transport the soluble precursor of biosilica, dissolved silicic acid. Full-length silicic acid transporters are found widely across the diatoms while homologous shorter proteins have now been identified in a range of other organisms. It has been suggested that modern silicic acid transporters arose from the union of such partial sequences. Here, we present a computational study of the silicic acid transporters and related transporter-like sequences to help understand the structure, function and evolution of this class of membrane protein. The AlphaFold software predicts that all of the protein sequences studied here share a common fold in the membrane domain which is entirely different from the predicted folds of non-homologous silicic acid transporters from plants. Substrate docking reveals how conserved polar residues could interact with silicic acid at a central solvent-accessible binding site, consistent with an alternating access mechanism of transport. The structural conservation between these proteins supports a model where modern silicon transporters evolved from smaller ancestral proteins by gene fusion.

A biomimetic peptide has no effect on the isotopic fractionation during in vitro silica precipitation

The stable isotopic composition of diatom silica is used as a proxy for nutrient utilisation in natural waters. This approach provides essential insight into the current and historic links between biological production, carbon cycling and climate. However, estimates of isotopic fractionation during diatom silica production from both laboratory and field studies are variable, and the biochemical pathways responsible remain unknown. Here, we investigate silicon isotopic fractionation through a series of chemical precipitation experiments that are analogous to the first stages of intracellular silica formation within the diatom silicon deposition vesicle. The novelty of our experiment is the inclusion of the R5 peptide, which is closely related to a natural biomolecule known to play a role in diatom silicification. Our results suggest that the presence of R5 induces a systematic but non-significant difference in fractionation behaviour. It thus appears that silicon isotopic fractionation in vitro is largely driven by an early kinetic fractionation during rapid precipitation that correlates with the initial amount of dissolved silica in the system. Our findings raise the question of how environmental changes might impact silicon isotopic fractionation in diatoms, and whether frustule archives record information in addition to silica consumption in surface water.

Physical, Chemical, and Genetic Techniques for Diatom Frustule Modification: Applications in Nanotechnology

Diatom frustules represent one of the most complex examples of micro- and nano-structured materials found in nature, being the result of a biomineralization process refined through tens of milions of years of evolution. They are constituted by an intricate, ordered porous silica matrix which recently found several applications in optoelectronics, sensing, solar light harvesting, filtering, and drug delivery, to name a few. The possibility to modify the composition and the structure of frustules can further broaden the range of potential applications, adding new functions and active features to the material. In the present work the most remarkable physical and chemical techniques aimed at frustule modification are reviewed, also examining the most recent genetic techniques developed for its controlled morphological mutation.

Comparative Gene Analysis Focused on Silica Cell Wall Formation: Identification of Diatom-Specific SET Domain Protein Methyltransferases

Silica cell walls of diatoms have attracted attention as a source of nanostructured functional materials and have immense potential for a variety of applications. Previous studies of silica cell wall formation have identified numerous involved proteins, but most of these proteins are species-specific and are not conserved among diatoms. However, because the basic process of diatom cell wall formation is common to all diatom species, ubiquitous proteins and molecules will reveal the mechanisms of cell wall formation. In this study, we assembled de novo transcriptomes of three diatom species, Nitzschia palea, Achnanthes kuwaitensis, and Pseudoleyanella lunata, and compared protein-coding genes of five genome-sequenced diatom species. These analyses revealed a number of diatom-specific genes that encode putative endoplasmic reticulum-targeting proteins. Significant numbers of these proteins showed homology to silicanin-1, which is a conserved diatom protein that reportedly contributes to cell wall formation. These proteins also included a previously unrecognized SET domain protein methyltransferase family that may regulate functions of cell wall formation-related proteins and long-chain polyamines. Proteomic analysis of cell wall-associated proteins in N. palea identified a protein that is also encoded by one of the diatom-specific genes. Expression analysis showed that candidate genes were upregulated in response to silicon, suggesting that these genes play roles in silica cell wall formation. These candidate genes can facilitate further investigations of silica cell wall formation in diatoms.

The role of phosphopeptides in the mineralisation of silica

We describe the synthesis of hyperphosphorylated peptides and the investigation of theirin vitrosilicification activity in combination with long-chain polyamines (LCPA) at high dilution and mildly acidic conditions.

Secondary structure and dynamics study of the intrinsically disordered silica-mineralizing peptide P5 S3 during silicic acid condensation and silica decondensation

The silica forming repeat R5 of sil1 from Cylindrotheca fusiformis was the blueprint for the design of P5 S3 , a 50-residue peptide which can be produced in large amounts by recombinant bacterial expression. It contains 5 protein kinase A target sites and is highly cationic due to 10 lysine and 10 arginine residues. In the presence of supersaturated orthosilicic acid P5 S3 enhances silica-formation whereas it retards the dissolution of amorphous silica (SiO2 ) at globally undersaturated concentrations. The secondary structure of P5 S3 during these 2 processes was studied by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, complemented by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of the peptide in the absence of silicate. The NMR studies of dual-labeled (13 C, 15 N) P5 S3 revealed a disordered structure at pH 2.8 and 4.5. Within the pH range of 4.5-9.5 in the absence of silicic acid, the CD data showed a disordered structure with the suggestion of some polyproline II character. Upon silicic acid polymerization and during dissolution of preformed silica, the CD spectrum of P5 S3 indicated partial transition into an α-helical conformation which was transient during silica-dissolution. The secondary structural changes observed for P5 S3 correlate with the presence of oligomeric/polymeric silicic acid, presumably due to P5 S3 -silica interactions. These P5 S3 -silica interactions appear, at least in part, ionic in nature since negatively charged dodecylsulfate caused similar perturbations to the P5 S3 CD spectrum as observed with silica, while uncharged ß-d-dodecyl maltoside did not affect the CD spectrum of P5 S3 . Thus, with an associated increase in α-helical character, P5 S3 influences both the condensation of silicic acid into silica and its decondensation back to silicic acid.

Characterization of a New Protein Family Associated With the Silica Deposition Vesicle Membrane Enables Genetic Manipulation of Diatom Silica

Diatoms are known for their intricate, silicified cell walls (frustules). Silica polymerization occurs in a compartment called the silica deposition vesicle (SDV) and it was proposed that the cytoskeleton influences silica patterning through the SDV membrane (silicalemma) via interactions with transmembrane proteins. In this work we identify a family of proteins associated with the silicalemma, named SAPs for Silicalemma Associated Proteins. The T. pseudonana SAPs (TpSAPs) are characterized by their motif organization; each contains a transmembrane domain, serine rich region and a conserved cytoplasmic domain. Fluorescent tagging demonstrated that two of the TpSAPs were localized to the silicalemma and that the intralumenal region of TpSAP3 remained embedded in the silica while the cytoplasmic region was cleaved. Knockdown lines of TpSAP1 and 3 displayed malformed valves; which confirmed their roles in frustule morphogenesis. This study provides the first demonstration of altering silica structure through manipulation of a single gene.

Diatom Frustule Morphogenesis and Function: a Multidisciplinary Survey

Diatoms represent the major component of phytoplankton and are responsible for about 20-25% of global primary production. Hundreds of millions of years of evolution led to tens of thousands of species differing in dimensions and morphologies. In particular, diatom porous silica cell walls, the frustules, are characterized by an extraordinary, species-specific diversity. It is of great interest, among the marine biologists and geneticists community, to shed light on the origin and evolutionary advantage of this variability of dimensions, geometries and pore distributions. In the present article the main reported data related to frustule morphogenesis and functionalities with contributions from fundamental biology, genetics, mathematics, geometry and physics are reviewed.

Probing Silica-Biomolecule Interactions by Solid-State NMR and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Understanding the molecular interactions between inorganic phases such as silica and organic material is fundamental for chromatographic applications, for tailoring silica-enzyme interactions, and for elucidating the mechanisms of biomineralization. The formation, structure, and properties of the organic/inorganic interface is crucial in this context. Here, we investigate the interaction of selectively ¹³C-labeled choline with ²⁹Si-labeled monosilicic acid/silica at the molecular level. Silica/choline nanocomposites were analyzed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy in combination with extended molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to understand the silica/organic interface. Cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP MAS)-based NMR experiments like ¹H-¹³C CP-REDOR (rotational-echo double resonance), ¹H-¹³C HETCOR (heteronuclear correlation), and ¹H-²⁹Si-¹H double CP are employed to determine spatial parameters. The measurement of ²⁹Si-¹³C internuclear distances for selectively ¹³C-labeled choline provides an experimental parameter that allows the direct verification of MD simulations. Atomistic modeling using classical MD methodologies is performed using the INTERFACE force field. The modeling results are in excellent agreement with the experimental data and reveal the relevant molecular conformations as well as the nature and interplay of the interactions between the choline cation and the silica surface. Electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding are both important and depend strongly on the hydration level as well as the charge state of the silica surface.

Direct evidence of the molecular basis for biological silicon transport

Diatoms are an important group of eukaryotic algae with a curious evolutionary innovation: they sheath themselves in a cell wall made largely of silica. The cellular machinery responsible for silicification includes a family of membrane permeases that recognize and actively transport the soluble precursor of biosilica, silicic acid. However, the molecular basis of silicic acid transport remains obscure. Here, we identify experimentally tractable diatom silicic acid transporter (SIT) homologues and study their structure and function in vitro, enabled by the development of a new fluorescence method for studying substrate transport kinetics. We show that recombinant SITs are Na⁺/silicic acid symporters with a 1:1 protein: substrate stoichiometry and K_M for silicic acid of 20 μM. Protein mutagenesis supports the long-standing hypothesis that four conserved GXQ amino acid motifs are important in SIT function. This marks a step towards a detailed understanding of silicon transport with implications for biogeochemistry and bioinspired materials.

Diatoms sheath themselves in a self-made casing of silica, which requires the function of silicic acid transporters. Here, the authors identify versions of these transporters that are experimentally tractable, and develop a fluorescence method to study silicic acid transport in vitro.

Bacteria may induce the secretion of mucin-like proteins by the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Benthic diatoms live in photoautotrophic/heterotrophic biofilm communities embedded in a matrix of secreted extracellular polymeric substances. Closely associated bacteria influence their growth, aggregation, and secretion of exopolymers. We have studied a diatom/bacteria model community, in which a marine Roseobacter strain is able to grow with secreted diatom exopolymers as a sole source of carbon. The strain influences the aggregation of Phaeodactylum tricornutum by inducing a morphotypic transition from planktonic, fusiform cells to benthic, oval cells. Analysis of the extracellular soluble proteome of P. tricornutum in the presence and absence of bacteria revealed constitutively expressed newly identified proteins with mucin-like domains that appear to be typical for extracellular diatom proteins. In contrast to mucins, the proline-, serine-, threonine-rich (PST) domains in these proteins were also found in combination with protease-, glucosidase- and leucine-rich repeat-domains. Bioinformatic functional predictions indicate that several of these newly identified diatom-specific proteins may be involved in algal defense, intercellular signaling, and aggregation.

Peptide-mediated microalgae harvesting method for efficient biofuel production

BACKGROUND

Production of biofuels from microalgae has been recognized to be a promising route for a sustainable energy supply. However, the microalgae harvesting process is a bottleneck for industrialization because it is energy intensive. Thus, by displaying interactive protein factors on the cell wall, oleaginous microalgae can acquire the auto- and controllable-flocculation function, yielding smarter and energy-efficient harvesting.

RESULTS

Towards this goal, we established a cell-surface display system using the oleaginous diatom Fistulifera solaris JPCC DA0580. Putative cell wall proteins, termed frustulins, were identified from the genome information using a homology search. A selected frustulin was subsequently fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and a diatom cell-surface display was successfully demonstrated. The antibody-binding assay further confirmed that the displayed GFP could interact with the antibody at the outermost surface of the cells. Moreover, a cell harvesting experiment was carried out using silica-affinity peptide-displaying diatom cells and silica particles where engineered cells attached to the silica particles resulting in immediate sedimentation.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report to demonstrate the engineered peptide-mediated harvesting of oleaginous microalgae using a cell-surface display system. Flocculation efficiency based on the silica-affinity peptide-mediated cell harvesting method demonstrated a comparable performance to other flocculation strategies which use either harsh pH conditions or expensive chemical/biological flocculation agents. We propose that our peptide-mediated cell harvest method will be useful for the efficient biofuel production in the future.

Silaffins in Silica Biomineralization and Biomimetic Silica Precipitation

Biomineralization processes leading to complex solid structures of inorganic material in biological systems are constantly gaining attention in biotechnology and biomedical research. An outstanding example for biomineral morphogenesis is the formation of highly elaborate, nano-patterned silica shells by diatoms. Among the organic macromolecules that have been closely linked to the tightly controlled precipitation of silica in diatoms, silaffins play an extraordinary role. These peptides typically occur as complex posttranslationally modified variants and are directly involved in the silica deposition process in diatoms. However, even in vitro silaffin-based peptides alone, with and without posttranslational modifications, can efficiently mediate biomimetic silica precipitation leading to silica material with different properties as well as with encapsulated cargo molecules of a large size range. In this review, the biomineralization process of silica in diatoms is summarized with a specific focus on silaffins and their in vitro silica precipitation properties. Applications in the area of bio- and nanotechnology as well as in diagnostics and therapy are discussed.

Diatom silica biomineralization: Parallel development of approaches and understanding

Diatom silica cell walls present an intriguing application of biomineralization in a single celled organism. The ability of diatoms to make an enormous variety of silica structures on the nano- to micro-scale is unparalleled in nature. The process is a whole-cell endeavor, involving diverse cellular components that coordinate "bottom up" and "top down" structure formation processes to reproducibly convert genetic information into physical structure. The study of silicification has been similarly all encompassing, involving the application of diverse analytical techniques to examine different aspects of the process. This review highlights the application of different approaches used to study silicification and the insights they have provided, and documents the progress that has been made. The current status offers the possibility of major breakthroughs in our understanding, by enabling a more widespread identification of genes involved, and direct testing of the role these genes play by genetic manipulation.

Immobilising proteins on silica with site-specifically attached modified silaffin peptides

Site-specific modification of proteins with synthetic silaffin peptides allows efficient encapsulation in biomimetic silica particles. Variations in silaffin modifications provide control over particle shape, protein load and activity.

Directed assembly of nanoparticles to isolated diatom valves using the non-wetting characteristics after pyrolysis

A novel strategy for a directed nanoparticle coupling to isolated Stephanopyxis turris valves is presented. After pyrolysis, the valves exhibit incomplete wetting due to their characteristic T-shaped profiles as a prerequisite for a regioselective coupling reaction. A micromanipulation system allows for precise handling and their immobilization onto an adhesive substrate and manipulation into arrays.

Identification of a frustule-associated protein of the marine pennate diatom Fistulifera sp. strain JPCC DA0580

Among the proteins localized on the cell wall (frustule) of diatoms (frustule-associated proteins), several proteins tightly associated with the cell wall have been implicated in frustule formation. These proteins include diatom-specific unique serine- and lysine-rich sequences represented by silaffins. Taking advantage of available genome information, we used a recently described bioinformatics approach to screen silaffin-like proteins rich in serine and lysine from the genome of the marine pennate diatom Fistulifera sp. strain JPCC DA0580 and identified 7 proteins. All of the proteins shared a sequence motif called the XGXG domain, which was also confirmed in a silaffin-like protein identified in other diatoms. In vivo localization analysis revealed that one of the identified proteins, G7408, occurs throughout the frustule with a slightly uneven distribution. This novel frustule-associated protein could be a useful tool to elucidate the mechanism of biosilica formation in diatoms and to functionalize this strain for future biotechnological applications.

iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis of the metabolism mechanism associated with silicon response in the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana

Silicon is a critical element for diatom growth; however our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in intracellular silicon responses are limited. In this study, an iTRAQ-LC-MS/MS quantitative proteomic approach was coupled with an established synchrony technique to reveal the global metabolic silicon-response in the model diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana subject to silicon starvation and readdition. Four samples, which corresponded to the time of silicon starvation, girdle band synthesis, valve formation, and right after daughter cell separation (0, 1, 5, 7 h), were collected for the proteomic analysis. The results indicated that a total of 1,831 proteins, representing 16% of the predicted proteins encoded by the T. pseudonana genome, could be identified. Of the identified proteins, 165 were defined as being differentially expressed proteins, and these proteins could be linked to multiple biochemical pathways. In particular, a number of proteins related to silicon transport, cell wall synthesis, and cell-cycle progress could be identified. In addition, other proteins that are potentially involved in amino acid synthesis, protein metabolism, and energy generation may have roles in the cellular response to silicon. Our findings provide a range of valuable information that will be of use for further studies of this important physiological response that is unique to diatoms.

Patent Highlights

Snapshot of key developments in the patent literature accompanied by explanatory synopses

Characterization and localization of insoluble organic matrices associated with diatom cell walls: insight into their roles during cell wall formation

Organic components associated with diatom cell wall silica are important for the formation, integrity, and function of the cell wall. Polysaccharides are associated with the silica, however their localization, structure, and function remain poorly understood. We used imaging and biochemical approaches to describe in detail characteristics of insoluble organic components associated with the cell wall in 5 different diatom species. Results show that an insoluble organic matrix enriched in mannose, likely the diatotepum, is localized on the proximal surface of the silica cell wall. We did not identify any organic matrix embedded within the silica. We also identified a distinct material consisting of glucose polymer with variable localization depending on the species. In some species this component was directly involved in the morphogenesis of silica structure while in others it appeared to be only a structural component of the cell wall. A novel glucose-rich structure located between daughter cells during division was also identified. This work for the first time correlates the structure, composition, and localization of insoluble organic matrices associated with diatom cell walls. Additionally we identified a novel glucose polymer and characterized its role during silica structure formation.

Modified silaffin R5 peptides enable encapsulation and release of cargo molecules from biomimetic silica particles

Biomimetic silica formation has attracted increasing interest over the last decade for numerous biotechnological applications due to the favorable mild reaction conditions. Inspired from silica biogenesis in diatoms, peptide variants derived from native silaffins have been used for silica formation in vitro. Here a generally applicable route for covalently linking a cargo molecule to the R5 silaffin peptide via a disulfide linkage is established. The peptide CG12AB, a peptide ligand of the epidermal growth factor receptor, was chosen as model. The ability of such silaffin-cargo conjugates to encapsulate the cargo molecule during silaffin-mediated silica precipitation is demonstrated. Cargo release from silica material under different conditions was analyzed. The results obtained here provide a rational basis for developing engineered R5 silaffin peptides into efficient tools for silica precipitation as well as for entrapment and release of cargo molecules under physiological conditions.

Cadmium chelation by frustulins: a novel metal tolerance mechanism in Nitzschia palea (Kützing) W. Smith

The ubiquity of diatom distribution, species richness, short generation time, and specific sensitivity to several environmental stressors such as metals, make diatoms particularly useful for scientific studies. Anthropogenic activities have increased the concentration of metals in air, soil and water. Due to their toxicity and persistent character, the effects of metals on organisms have been extensively studied. In this work, the association of cadmium to different extracellular molecules of Nitzschia palea cells was investigated. Cells were grown in the absence and presence (0.2 mg l(-1)) of cadmium in Chu no. 10 medium. Extracellular polysaccharides were extracted, and subsamples were used for polysaccharide and Cd determination. The frustules were broken mechanically under liquid nitrogen and the intracellular and frustule fractions separated. Frustulins, a protein family found on the outmost frustule layer, constituting a protection coating to environmental stress, were extracted. In each fraction proteins were quantified by the BCA method and separated by gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Cadmium associated to each fraction was quantified by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis. Exposure of Nitzschia palea to cadmium decreased extracellular polysaccharides by 52.8 % and increased 6 times the amount of frustulins. Cadmium was mostly retained extracellularly: 85.4 % was bound to the frustulin fraction, and 11.1 % to polysaccharides. The ability of Nitzschia palea to increase the production of frustulins due to the presence of Cd, the extracellular location of this frustulin coating and the ability of these proteins to bind Cd, suggests a new cellular defense mechanism to metals unknown until now.

Inorganic materials using 'unusual' microorganisms

A promising avenue of research in materials science is to follow the strategies used by Mother Nature to fabricate ornate hierarchical structures as exemplified by organisms such as diatoms, sponges and magnetotactic bacteria. Some of the strategies used in the biological world to create functional inorganic materials may well have practical implications in the world of nanomaterials. Therefore, the strive towards exploring nature's ingenious work for designing strategies to create inorganic nanomaterials in our laboratories has led to development of biological and biomimetic synthesis routes over the past decade or so. A large proportion of these relentless efforts have explored the use of those microorganisms, which are typically not known to encounter these inorganic materials in their natural environment. Therefore, one can consider these microorganisms as 'unusual' for the purpose for which they have been utilized - it is in this context that this review has been penned down. In this extensive review, we discuss the use of these 'unusual' microorganisms for deliberate biosynthesis of various nanomaterials including biominerals, metals, sulfides and oxides nanoparticles. In addition to biosynthesis approach, we have also discussed a bioleaching approach, which can provide a noble platform for room-temperature synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials using naturally available raw materials. Moreover, the unique properties and functionalities displayed by these biogenic inorganic materials have been discussed, wherever such properties have been investigated previously. Finally, towards the end of this review, we have made efforts to summarize the common outcomes of the biosynthesis process and draw conclusions, which provide a perspective on the current status of the biosynthesis research field and highlights areas where future research in this field should be directed to realize the full potential of biological routes towards nanomaterials synthesis. Furthermore, the review clearly demonstrates that the biological route to inorganic materials synthesis is not merely an addition to the existing list of synthesis routes; biological routes using 'unusual' microorganisms might in fact provide an edge over other nanomaterials synthesis routes in terms of their eco-friendliness, low energy intensiveness, and economically-viable synthesis. This review has significant importance for colloids and interface science since it underpins the synthesis of colloidal materials using 'unusual' microorganism, wherein the role of biological interfaces for controlled synthesis of technologically important nanomaterials is clearly evident.

The role of proteins in biosilicification

Although the use of silicon dioxide (silica) as a constituent of living organisms is mainly restricted to diatoms and sponges, the ways in which this process is controlled by nature continue to inspire and fascinate. Both diatoms and sponges carry out biosilificiation using an organic matrix but they adopt very different strategies. Diatoms use small and heavily modified peptides called silaffins, where the most characteristic feature is a modulation of charge by attaching long chain polyamines (LCPAs) to lysine groups. Free LCPAs can also cooperate with silaffins. Sponges use the enzyme silicatein which is homologous to the cysteine protease cathepsin. Both classes of proteins form higher-order structures which act both as structural templates and mechanistic catalysts for the polycondensation reaction. In both cases, additional proteins are continuously being discovered which modulate the process further. This paper concentrates on the role of these proteins in the biosilification process as well as in various applications, highlighting areas where focus on specific protein properties may provide further insight. The field of biosilification is a crossroads of different disciplines, where insight into the energetics and mechanisms of molecular self-assembly combine with fundamental biology, complex multicomponent colloidal systems, and an impressive array of potential technological applications.

Nanopatterned protein microrings from a diatom that direct silica morphogenesis

Diatoms are eukaryotic microalgae that produce species-specifically structured cell walls made of SiO(2) (silica). Formation of the intricate silica structures of diatoms is regarded as a paradigm for biomolecule-controlled self-assembly of three-dimensional, nano- to microscale-patterned inorganic materials. Silica formation involves long-chain polyamines and phosphoproteins (silaffins and silacidins), which are readily soluble in water, and spontaneously form dynamic supramolecular assemblies that accelerate silica deposition and influence silica morphogenesis in vitro. However, synthesis of diatom-like silica structure in vitro has not yet been accomplished, indicating that additional components are required. Here we describe the discovery and intracellular location of six novel proteins (cingulins) that are integral components of a silica-forming organic matrix (microrings) in the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana. The cingulin-containing microrings are specifically associated with girdle bands, which constitute a substantial part of diatom biosilica. Remarkably, the microrings exhibit protein-based nanopatterns that closely resemble characteristic features of the girdle band silica nanopatterns. Upon the addition of silicic acid the microrings become rapidly mineralized in vitro generating nanopatterned silica replicas of the microring structures. A silica-forming organic matrix with characteristic nanopatterns was also discovered in the diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii, which suggests that preassembled protein-based templates might be general components of the cellular machinery for silica morphogenesis in diatoms. These data provide fundamentally new insight into the molecular mechanisms of biological silica morphogenesis, and may lead to the development of self-assembled 3D mineral forming protein scaffolds with designed nanopatterns for a host of applications in nanotechnology.

In vitro evolution of a peptide with a hematite binding motif that may constitute a natural metal-oxide binding archetype

Phage-display technology was used to evolve peptides that selectively bind to the metal-oxide hematite (Fe2O3) from a library of approximately 3 billion different polypeptides. The sequences of these peptides contained the highly conserved amino acid motif, Ser/Thr-hydrophobic/aromatic-Ser/Thr-Pro-Ser/Thr. To better understand the nature of the peptide-metal oxide binding demonstrated by these experiments, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out for Ser-Pro-Ser at a hematite surface. These simulations show that hydrogen bonding occurs between the two serine amino acids and the hydroxylated hematite surface and that the presence of proline between the hydroxide residues restricts the peptide flexibility, thereby inducing a structural-binding motif. A search of published sequence data revealed that the binding motif (Ser/Thr-Pro-Ser/Thr) is adjacent to the terminal heme-binding domain of both OmcA and MtrC, which are outer membrane cytochromes from the metal-reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. The entire five amino acid consensus sequence (Ser/Thr-hydrophobic/ aromatic-Ser/Thr-Pro-Ser/Thr) was also found as multiple copies in the primary sequences of metal-oxide binding proteins Sil1 and Sil2 from Thalassiosira pseudonana. We suggest that this motif constitutes a natural metal-oxide binding archetype that could be exploited in enzyme-based biofuel cell design and approaches to synthesize tailored metal-oxide nanostructures.