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Wagner NL, Greco JA, Ranaghan MJ, Birge RR. Directed evolution of bacteriorhodopsin for applications in bioelectronics. J R Soc Interface 2013; 10:20130197. [PMID: 23676894 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2013.0197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In nature, biological systems gradually evolve through complex, algorithmic processes involving mutation and differential selection. Evolution has optimized biological macromolecules for a variety of functions to provide a comparative advantage. However, nature does not optimize molecules for use in human-made devices, as it would gain no survival advantage in such cooperation. Recent advancements in genetic engineering, most notably directed evolution, have allowed for the stepwise manipulation of the properties of living organisms, promoting the expansion of protein-based devices in nanotechnology. In this review, we highlight the use of directed evolution to optimize photoactive proteins, with an emphasis on bacteriorhodopsin (BR), for device applications. BR, a highly stable light-activated proton pump, has shown great promise in three-dimensional optical memories, real-time holographic processors and artificial retinas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Wagner
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
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Oren A. Industrial and environmental applications of halophilic microorganisms. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2010; 31:825-834. [PMID: 20662374 DOI: 10.1080/09593330903370026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In comparison with the thermophilic and the alkaliphilic extremophiles, halophilic microorganisms have as yet found relatively few biotechnological applications. Halophiles are involved in centuries-old processes such as the manufacturing of solar salt from seawater and the production of traditional fermented foods. Two biotechnological processes involving halophiles are highly successful: the production of beta-carotene by the green alga Dunaliella and the production of ectoine (1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid), used as a stabilizer for enzymes and now also applied in cosmetic products, from moderately halophilic bacteria. The potential use of bacteriorhodopsin, the retinal protein proton pump of Halobacterium, in optoelectronic devices and photochemical processes is being explored, and may well lead to commercial applications in the near future. Demand for salt-tolerant enzymes in current manufacturing or related processes is limited. Other possible uses of halophilic microorganisms such as treatment of saline and hypersaline wastewaters, and the production of exopolysaccharides, poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoate bioplastics and biofuel are being investigated, but no large-scale applications have yet been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aharon Oren
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Institute of Life Sciences, Moshe Shilo Minerva Center for Marine Biogeochemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel.
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Nekrasova OV, Wulfson AN, Tikhonov RV, Yakimov SA, Simonova TN, Tagvey AI, Dolgikh DA, Ostrovsky MA, Kirpichnikov MP. A new hybrid protein for production of recombinant bacteriorhodopsin in Escherichia coli. J Biotechnol 2010; 147:145-50. [PMID: 20363267 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2010.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2009] [Revised: 03/19/2010] [Accepted: 03/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Unique properties of bacteriorhodopsin, namely, photochromism and high thermal stability, make this protein an attractive target for physico-chemical studies, as well as for various biotechnological applications. Using Mistic as a suitable carrier for insertion of recombinant membrane proteins into cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli, we developed a system for overexpression of bacteriorhodopsin and worked out an efficient procedure for its purification and renaturation with the final yield of 120 mg/l of refolded protein, which is the highest value reported to date for bacteriorhodopsin produced in E. coli. Functional activity of recombinant bacteriorhodopsin was confirmed by spectroscopic and electrochemical assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksana V Nekrasova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia.
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Xi B, Tetley WC, Marcy DL, Zhong C, Whited G, Birge RR, Stuart JA. Evaluation of Blue and Green Absorbing Proteorhodopsins as Holographic Materials. J Phys Chem B 2008; 112:2524-32. [DOI: 10.1021/jp0740752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bangwei Xi
- W.M. Keck Center for Molecular Electronics and Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269; Genencor International, Inc., Palo Alto, California 94304; and Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - William C. Tetley
- W.M. Keck Center for Molecular Electronics and Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269; Genencor International, Inc., Palo Alto, California 94304; and Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Duane L. Marcy
- W.M. Keck Center for Molecular Electronics and Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269; Genencor International, Inc., Palo Alto, California 94304; and Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Cheng Zhong
- W.M. Keck Center for Molecular Electronics and Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269; Genencor International, Inc., Palo Alto, California 94304; and Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Gregg Whited
- W.M. Keck Center for Molecular Electronics and Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269; Genencor International, Inc., Palo Alto, California 94304; and Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Robert R. Birge
- W.M. Keck Center for Molecular Electronics and Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269; Genencor International, Inc., Palo Alto, California 94304; and Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Jeffrey A. Stuart
- W.M. Keck Center for Molecular Electronics and Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244; Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269; Genencor International, Inc., Palo Alto, California 94304; and Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
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Lambrianou A, Demin S, Hall EAH. Protein engineering and electrochemical biosensors. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2008; 109:65-96. [PMID: 17960341 DOI: 10.1007/10_2007_080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Protein engineered biosensors provide the next best step in the advancement of protein-based sensors that can specifically identify chemical substrates. The use of native proteins for this purpose cannot adequately embrace the limits of detection and level of stability required for a usable sensor, due to globular structure restraints. This review chapter attempts to give an accurate representation of the three main strategies employed in the engineering of more suitable biological components for use in biosensor construction. The three main strategies in protein engineering for electrochemical biosensor implementation are: rational protein design, directed evolution and de novo protein design. Each design strategy has limitations to its use in a biosensor format and has advantages and disadvantages with respect to each. The three design techniques are used to modify aspects of stability, sensitivity, selectivity, surface tethering, and signal transduction within the biological environment. Furthermore with the advent of new nanomaterials the implementation of these design strategies, with the attomolar promise of nanostructures, imparts important generational leaps in research for biosensor construction, based on highly specific, very robust, and electrically wired protein engineered biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Lambrianou
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK
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Abstract
Photosynthetic proteins are a source of biological material well-suited to technological applications. They exhibit light-induced electron transfer across lipid membranes that can be exploited for the construction of photo-optical electrical devices. The structure and function of photosynthetic proteins differ across the photosynthetic evolutionary scale, allowing for their application in a range of technologies. Here we provide a general description of the basic and technical research in this sector and an overview of biochips and biosensors based on photochemical activity that have been developed for the bioassay of pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Giardi
- Institute of Crystallography, National Council of Research, Department of Molecular Design and Nanotechnology, Area of Research of Rome, Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00016 Monterotondo scalo Rome, Italy
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