1
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Kontkanen OV, Biriukov D, Futera Z. Applicability of perturbed matrix method for charge transfer studies at bio/metallic interfaces: a case of azurin. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:12479-12489. [PMID: 37097130 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp00197k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
As the field of nanoelectronics based on biomolecules such as peptides and proteins rapidly grows, there is a need for robust computational methods able to reliably predict charge transfer properties at bio/metallic interfaces. Traditionally, hybrid quantum-mechanical/molecular-mechanical techniques are employed for systems where the electron hopping transfer mechanism is applicable to determine physical parameters controlling the thermodynamics and kinetics of charge transfer processes. However, these approaches are limited by a relatively high computational cost when extensive sampling of a configurational space is required, like in the case of soft biomatter. For these applications, semi-empirical approaches such as the perturbed matrix method (PMM) have been developed and successfully used to study charge-transfer processes in biomolecules. Here, we explore the performance of PMM on prototypical redox-active protein azurin in various environments, from solution to vacuum interfaces with gold surfaces and protein junction. We systematically benchmarked the robustness and convergence of the method with respect to the quantum-centre size, size of the Hamiltonian, number of samples, and level of theory. We show that PMM can adequately capture all the trends associated with the structural and electronic changes related to azurin oxidation at bio/metallic interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Outi Vilhelmiina Kontkanen
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Denys Biriukov
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Zdenek Futera
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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2
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Nanofabrication Techniques in Large-Area Molecular Electronic Devices. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10176064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The societal impact of the electronics industry is enormous—not to mention how this industry impinges on the global economy. The foreseen limits of the current technology—technical, economic, and sustainability issues—open the door to the search for successor technologies. In this context, molecular electronics has emerged as a promising candidate that, at least in the short-term, will not likely replace our silicon-based electronics, but improve its performance through a nascent hybrid technology. Such technology will take advantage of both the small dimensions of the molecules and new functionalities resulting from the quantum effects that govern the properties at the molecular scale. An optimization of interface engineering and integration of molecules to form densely integrated individually addressable arrays of molecules are two crucial aspects in the molecular electronics field. These challenges should be met to establish the bridge between organic functional materials and hard electronics required for the incorporation of such hybrid technology in the market. In this review, the most advanced methods for fabricating large-area molecular electronic devices are presented, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Special emphasis is focused on bottom-up methodologies for the fabrication of well-ordered and tightly-packed monolayers onto the bottom electrode, followed by a description of the top-contact deposition methods so far used.
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3
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Ortega M, Vilhena JG, Zotti LA, Díez-Pérez I, Cuevas JC, Pérez R. Tuning Structure and Dynamics of Blue Copper Azurin Junctions via Single Amino-Acid Mutations. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9100611. [PMID: 31618974 PMCID: PMC6843909 DOI: 10.3390/biom9100611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the growing field of biomolecular electronics, blue-copper Azurin stands out as one of the most widely studied protein in single-molecule contacts. Interestingly, despite the paramount importance of the structure/dynamics of molecular contacts in their transport properties, these factors remain largely unexplored from the theoretical point of view in the context of single Azurin junctions. Here we address this issue using all-atom Molecular Dynamics (MD) of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Azurin adsorbed to a Au(111) substrate. In particular, we focus on the structure and dynamics of the free/adsorbed protein and how these properties are altered upon single-point mutations. The results revealed that wild-type Azurin adsorbs on Au(111) along two well defined configurations: one tethered via cysteine groups and the other via the hydrophobic pocket surrounding the Cu 2 + . Surprisingly, our simulations revealed that single amino-acid mutations gave rise to a quenching of protein vibrations ultimately resulting in its overall stiffening. Given the role of amino-acid vibrations and reorientation in the dehydration process at the protein-water-substrate interface, we suggest that this might have an effect on the adsorption process of the mutant, giving rise to new adsorption configurations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ortega
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - J G Vilhena
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Physics, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 82, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Linda A Zotti
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ismael Díez-Pérez
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK.
| | - Juan Carlos Cuevas
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rubén Pérez
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
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4
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Fereiro JA, Porat G, Bendikov T, Pecht I, Sheves M, Cahen D. Protein Electronics: Chemical Modulation of Contacts Control Energy Level Alignment in Gold-Azurin-Gold Junctions. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:13317-13326. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b07742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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5
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Tunneling explains efficient electron transport via protein junctions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E4577-E4583. [PMID: 29712853 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1719867115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Metalloproteins, proteins containing a transition metal ion cofactor, are electron transfer agents that perform key functions in cells. Inspired by this fact, electron transport across these proteins has been widely studied in solid-state settings, triggering the interest in examining potential use of proteins as building blocks in bioelectronic devices. Here, we report results of low-temperature (10 K) electron transport measurements via monolayer junctions based on the blue copper protein azurin (Az), which strongly suggest quantum tunneling of electrons as the dominant charge transport mechanism. Specifically, we show that, weakening the protein-electrode coupling by introducing a spacer, one can switch the electron transport from off-resonant to resonant tunneling. This is a consequence of reducing the electrode's perturbation of the Cu(II)-localized electronic state, a pattern that has not been observed before in protein-based junctions. Moreover, we identify vibronic features of the Cu(II) coordination sphere in transport characteristics that show directly the active role of the metal ion in resonance tunneling. Our results illustrate how quantum mechanical effects may dominate electron transport via protein-based junctions.
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6
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Romero-Muñiz C, Ortega M, Vilhena JG, Díez-Pérez I, Cuevas JC, Pérez R, Zotti LA. Ab initio electronic structure calculations of entire blue copper azurins. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:30392-30402. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cp06862c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
We present a theoretical study of the blue-copper azurin extracted from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and several of its single amino acid mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Romero-Muñiz
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
- E-28049 Madrid
- Spain
| | - María Ortega
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
- E-28049 Madrid
- Spain
| | - J. G. Vilhena
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
- E-28049 Madrid
- Spain
- Department of Physics
| | - I. Díez-Pérez
- Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry & Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (IQTCUB)
- University of Barcelona
- Barcelona 08028
- Spain
- Department of Chemistry
| | - Juan Carlos Cuevas
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
- E-28049 Madrid
- Spain
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC)
| | - Rubén Pérez
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
- E-28049 Madrid
- Spain
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC)
| | - Linda A. Zotti
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
- E-28049 Madrid
- Spain
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC)
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7
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Ruiz MP, Aragonès AC, Camarero N, Vilhena JG, Ortega M, Zotti LA, Pérez R, Cuevas JC, Gorostiza P, Díez-Pérez I. Bioengineering a Single-Protein Junction. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:15337-15346. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b06130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta P. Ruiz
- Departament of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry & Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (IQTCUB), University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès, 1, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona
Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 15-21, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER-BBN), Campus Río Ebro-Edificio
I+D, Poeta Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Albert C. Aragonès
- Departament of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry & Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (IQTCUB), University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès, 1, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona
Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 15-21, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER-BBN), Campus Río Ebro-Edificio
I+D, Poeta Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Nuria Camarero
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona
Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 15-21, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER-BBN), Campus Río Ebro-Edificio
I+D, Poeta Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - J. G. Vilhena
- Departamento
de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
- Department
of Macromolecular Structures, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28049 Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Ortega
- Departamento
de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Linda A. Zotti
- Departamento
de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rubén Pérez
- Departamento
de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
- Condensed
Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Cuevas
- Departamento
de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
- Condensed
Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pau Gorostiza
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona
Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 15-21, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER-BBN), Campus Río Ebro-Edificio
I+D, Poeta Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA)
| | - Ismael Díez-Pérez
- Departament of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry & Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (IQTCUB), University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès, 1, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona
Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 15-21, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER-BBN), Campus Río Ebro-Edificio
I+D, Poeta Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
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8
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Bizzarri AR, Baldacchini C, Cannistraro S. Structure, Dynamics, and Electron Transfer of Azurin Bound to a Gold Electrode. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2017; 33:9190-9200. [PMID: 28789529 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b01102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Blue copper redox protein azurin (AZ) constitutes an ideal active element for building bionano-optoelectronic devices based on the intriguing interplay among its electron transfer (ET), vibrational, and optical properties. A full comprehension of its dynamical and functional behavior is required for efficient applications. Here, AZ bound to gold electrode via its disulfide bridge was investigated by a molecular dynamics simulation approach taking into account for gold electron polarization which provides a more realistic description of the protein-gold interaction. Upon binding to gold, AZ undergoes slight changes in its secondary structure with the preservation of the copper-containing active site structure. Binding of AZ to gold promotes new collective motions, with respect to free AZ, as evidenced by essential dynamics. Analysis of the ET from the AZ copper ion to the gold substrate, performed by the Pathways model, put into evidence the main residues and structural motifs of AZ involved in the ET paths. During the dynamical evolution of the bionanosystem, transient contacts between some lateral protein atoms and the gold substrate occurred; concomitantly, the opening of additional ET channels with much higher rates was registered. These results provide new and detailed insights on the dynamics and ET properties of the AZ-gold system, by also helping to rationalize some imaging and conductive experimental evidences and also to design new bionanodevices with tailored features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rita Bizzarri
- Biophysics & Nanoscience Centre, DEB, Università della Tuscia , Viterbo 01100, Italy
| | - Chiara Baldacchini
- Biophysics & Nanoscience Centre, DEB, Università della Tuscia , Viterbo 01100, Italy
- IBAF-CNR , Porano 05010, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cannistraro
- Biophysics & Nanoscience Centre, DEB, Università della Tuscia , Viterbo 01100, Italy
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9
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López-Martínez M, Artés JM, Sarasso V, Carminati M, Díez-Pérez I, Sanz F, Gorostiza P. Differential Electrochemical Conductance Imaging at the Nanoscale. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2017; 13:1700958. [PMID: 28722303 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201700958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Electron transfer in proteins is essential in crucial biological processes. Although the fundamental aspects of biological electron transfer are well characterized, currently there are no experimental tools to determine the atomic-scale electronic pathways in redox proteins, and thus to fully understand their outstanding efficiency and environmental adaptability. This knowledge is also required to design and optimize biomolecular electronic devices. In order to measure the local conductance of an electrode surface immersed in an electrolyte, this study builds upon the current-potential spectroscopic capacity of electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy, by adding an alternating current modulation technique. With this setup, spatially resolved, differential electrochemical conductance images under bipotentiostatic control are recorded. Differential electrochemical conductance imaging allows visualizing the reversible oxidation of an iron electrode in borate buffer and individual azurin proteins immobilized on atomically flat gold surfaces. In particular, this method reveals submolecular regions with high conductance within the protein. The direct observation of nanoscale conduction pathways in redox proteins and complexes enables important advances in biochemistry and bionanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat López-Martínez
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Material Science and Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Poeta Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Artés
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Material Science and Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Veronica Sarasso
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Carminati
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Via Ponzio, 34/5, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Ismael Díez-Pérez
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Material Science and Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Poeta Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Fausto Sanz
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Material Science and Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Poeta Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pau Gorostiza
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Poeta Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys, 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
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10
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Abstract
Understanding protein-inorganic surface interactions is central to the rational design of new tools in biomaterial sciences, nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine. Although a significant amount of experimental research on protein adsorption onto solid substrates has been reported, many aspects of the recognition and interaction mechanisms of biomolecules and inorganic surfaces are still unclear. Theoretical modeling and simulations provide complementary approaches for experimental studies, and they have been applied for exploring protein-surface binding mechanisms, the determinants of binding specificity towards different surfaces, as well as the thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption. Although the general computational approaches employed to study the dynamics of proteins and materials are similar, the models and force-fields (FFs) used for describing the physical properties and interactions of material surfaces and biological molecules differ. In particular, FF and water models designed for use in biomolecular simulations are often not directly transferable to surface simulations and vice versa. The adsorption events span a wide range of time- and length-scales that vary from nanoseconds to days, and from nanometers to micrometers, respectively, rendering the use of multi-scale approaches unavoidable. Further, changes in the atomic structure of material surfaces that can lead to surface reconstruction, and in the structure of proteins that can result in complete denaturation of the adsorbed molecules, can create many intermediate structural and energetic states that complicate sampling. In this review, we address the challenges posed to theoretical and computational methods in achieving accurate descriptions of the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of protein-surface systems. In this context, we discuss the applicability of different modeling and simulation techniques ranging from quantum mechanics through all-atom molecular mechanics to coarse-grained approaches. We examine uses of different sampling methods, as well as free energy calculations. Furthermore, we review computational studies of protein-surface interactions and discuss the successes and limitations of current approaches.
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11
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Siwko ME, Corni S. Cytochrome C on a gold surface: investigating structural relaxations and their role in protein–surface electron transfer by molecular dynamics simulations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2013; 15:5945-56. [DOI: 10.1039/c3cp00146f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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12
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Della Pia EA, Macdonald JE, Elliott M, Jones DD. Direct binding of a redox protein for single-molecule electron transfer measurements. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2012; 8:2341-2344. [PMID: 22549892 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201102416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2011] [Revised: 02/16/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
An electron transfer protein is engineered with two thiol groups introduced at different positions in the molecular structure to allow robust binding to two gold electrodes. Atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy single-molecule studies show that the engineered proteins: (1) bind to a gold electrode in defined orientation dictated by the thiol-pair utilised, and (2) have a higher conductance than the wild-type proteins indicating a more efficient electron transmission due to the strong gold-thiol contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo A Della Pia
- School of Physics and Astronomy and School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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13
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Ron I, Sepunaru L, Itzhakov S, Belenkova T, Friedman N, Pecht I, Sheves M, Cahen D. Proteins as electronic materials: electron transport through solid-state protein monolayer junctions. J Am Chem Soc 2010; 132:4131-40. [PMID: 20210314 DOI: 10.1021/ja907328r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Electron transfer (ET) through proteins, a fundamental element of many biochemical reactions, is studied intensively in aqueous solutions. Over the past decade, attempts were made to integrate proteins into solid-state junctions in order to study their electronic conductance properties. Most such studies to date were conducted with one or very few molecules in the junction, using scanning probe techniques. Here we present the high-yield, reproducible preparation of large-area monolayer junctions, assembled on a Si platform, of proteins of three different families: azurin (Az), a blue-copper ET protein, bacteriorhodopsin (bR), a membrane protein-chromophore complex with a proton pumping function, and bovine serum albumin (BSA). We achieve highly reproducible electrical current measurements with these three types of monolayers using appropriate top electrodes. Notably, the current-voltage (I-V) measurements on such junctions show relatively minor differences between Az and bR, even though the latter lacks any known ET function. Electron Transport (ETp) across both Az and bR is much more efficient than across BSA, but even for the latter the measured currents are higher than those through a monolayer of organic, C18 alkyl chains that is about half as wide, therefore suggesting transport mechanism(s) different from the often considered coherent mechanism. Our results show that the employed proteins maintain their conformation under these conditions. The relatively efficient ETp through these proteins opens up possibilities for using such biomolecules as current-carrying elements in solid-state electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izhar Ron
- Departments of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science, POB 26, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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14
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Calzolari A, Cicero G, Cavazzoni C, Di Felice R, Catellani A, Corni S. Hydroxyl-Rich β-Sheet Adhesion to the Gold Surface in Water by First-Principle Simulations. J Am Chem Soc 2010; 132:4790-5. [DOI: 10.1021/ja909823n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Arrigo Calzolari
- Centro S3, CNR-Istituto di Nanoscienze, Modena, Italy, Department of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Politecnico of Torino, Torino, Italy, CNR-IMEM Institute of Materials for Electronics and Magnetisms, Parma, Italy, and CINECA, Interuniversity Computing Center, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Cicero
- Centro S3, CNR-Istituto di Nanoscienze, Modena, Italy, Department of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Politecnico of Torino, Torino, Italy, CNR-IMEM Institute of Materials for Electronics and Magnetisms, Parma, Italy, and CINECA, Interuniversity Computing Center, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Cavazzoni
- Centro S3, CNR-Istituto di Nanoscienze, Modena, Italy, Department of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Politecnico of Torino, Torino, Italy, CNR-IMEM Institute of Materials for Electronics and Magnetisms, Parma, Italy, and CINECA, Interuniversity Computing Center, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rosa Di Felice
- Centro S3, CNR-Istituto di Nanoscienze, Modena, Italy, Department of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Politecnico of Torino, Torino, Italy, CNR-IMEM Institute of Materials for Electronics and Magnetisms, Parma, Italy, and CINECA, Interuniversity Computing Center, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Catellani
- Centro S3, CNR-Istituto di Nanoscienze, Modena, Italy, Department of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Politecnico of Torino, Torino, Italy, CNR-IMEM Institute of Materials for Electronics and Magnetisms, Parma, Italy, and CINECA, Interuniversity Computing Center, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Corni
- Centro S3, CNR-Istituto di Nanoscienze, Modena, Italy, Department of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Politecnico of Torino, Torino, Italy, CNR-IMEM Institute of Materials for Electronics and Magnetisms, Parma, Italy, and CINECA, Interuniversity Computing Center, Bologna, Italy
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15
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Crowley P, Matias P, Khan A, Roessle M, Svergun D. Metal-Mediated Self-Assembly of a β-Sandwich Protein. Chemistry 2009; 15:12672-80. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.200901410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Lunt EAM, Pitter MC, O'Shea P. Quantitative studies of the interactions of metalloproteins with gold nanoparticles: identification of dominant properties of the protein that underlies the spectral changes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2009; 25:10100-10106. [PMID: 19601561 DOI: 10.1021/la901148q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The interaction of cytochrome C and a number of its components such as the apo protein, heme and a coordinated iron with gold nanospheres, has been investigated. The role of the heme group and its effect on the observed spectroscopic properties following binding of cytochrome C to the gold surface has been evaluated. Binding of the heme group directly to the gold is not observed, but the presence of the heme group and its effect on the interaction with the metal surface is shown to be influential. Other factors such as the metal oxidation state and the metal-free heme are also studied. A comparison to serum albumin binding as a nonmetallic protein provides further insight into the interaction characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A M Lunt
- Cell Biophysics Group, School of Biology & Institute of Biophysics, Imaging and Optical Science, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
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Iori F, Di Felice R, Molinari E, Corni S. GolP: An atomistic force-field to describe the interaction of proteins with Au(111) surfaces in water. J Comput Chem 2009; 30:1465-76. [DOI: 10.1002/jcc.21165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Yagati AK, Kim SU, Min J, Choi JW. Multi-bit biomemory consisting of recombinant protein variants, azurin. Biosens Bioelectron 2009; 24:1503-7. [PMID: 18809307 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2008.07.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2008] [Revised: 07/13/2008] [Accepted: 07/28/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Wang M, Bugarski S, Stimming U. Probing single flavoprotein molecules on graphite in aqueous solution with scanning tunneling microscopy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2008; 4:1110-1114. [PMID: 18654993 DOI: 10.1002/smll.200701041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mingkui Wang
- LPI, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Iori F, Corni S. Including image charge effects in the molecular dynamics simulations of molecules on metal surfaces. J Comput Chem 2008; 29:1656-66. [DOI: 10.1002/jcc.20928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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