Biomacromolecules, Vol.12, No.10, 3400-3405, 2011
Metal Ion Mediated Self-Assembly Directed Formation of Protein Arrays
Self-assembled inorganic-protein arrays with well-defined and controllable size and structure were obtained through the Fe(II) complexation of protein-conjugated, terpyridine units (ligand). The atom-level control of the ligand is obtained through residue-specific conjugation between the complexing unit (terpy) containing an activity based probe and a corresponding active enzyme (papain). The Fe(II)-based self-assembly performed on this unique building block (ligand) leads to chemical species of unprecedented constitution. The first example presented herein opens the way to a shape and size regime usually reserved to polymers.