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Huang TC, Levenson R, Li Y, Kohl P, Morse DE, Shell MS, Helgeson ME. A colloidal model for the equilibrium assembly and liquid-liquid phase separation of the reflectin A1 protein. Biophys J 2024:S0006-3495(24)00443-0. [PMID: 38965780 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Reflectin is an intrinsically disordered protein known for its ability to modulate the biophotonic camouflage of cephalopods based on its assembly-induced osmotic properties. Its reversible self-assembly into discrete, size-controlled clusters and condensed droplets are known to depend sensitively on the net protein charge, making reflectin stimuli-responsive to pH, phosphorylation, and electric fields. Despite considerable efforts to characterize this behavior, the detailed physical mechanisms of reflectin's assembly are not yet fully understood. Here, we pursue a coarse-grained molecular understanding of reflectin assembly using a combination of experiments and simulations. We hypothesize that reflectin assembly and phase behavior can be explained from a remarkably simple colloidal model whereby individual protein monomers effectively interact via a short-range attractive and long-range repulsive (SA-LR) pair potential. We parameterize a coarse-grained SA-LR interaction potential for reflectin A1 from small-angle x-ray scattering measurements, and then extend it to a range of pH values using Gouy-Chapman theory to model monomer-monomer electrostatic interactions. The pH-dependent SA-LR interaction is then used in molecular dynamics simulations of reflectin assembly, which successfully capture a number of qualitative features of reflectin, including pH-dependent formation of discrete-sized nanoclusters and liquid-liquid phase separation at high pH, resulting in a putative phase diagram for reflectin. Importantly, we find that at low pH size-controlled reflectin clusters are equilibrium assemblies, which dynamically exchange protein monomers to maintain an equilibrium size distribution. These findings provide a mechanistic understanding of the equilibrium assembly of reflectin, and suggest that colloidal-scale models capture key driving forces and interactions to explain thermodynamic aspects of native reflectin behavior. Furthermore, the success of SA-LR interactions presented in this study demonstrates the potential of a colloidal interpretation of interactions and phenomena in a range of intrinsically disordered proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tse-Chiang Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California
| | - Robert Levenson
- Life Sciences, Soka University of America, Aliso Viejo, California
| | - Youli Li
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California
| | - Phillip Kohl
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California
| | - Daniel E Morse
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California
| | - M Scott Shell
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California.
| | - Matthew E Helgeson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California.
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2
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Ball P. A new slant on colour changes. NATURE MATERIALS 2024; 23:869. [PMID: 38956350 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-024-01944-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
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3
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Lin YC, Masquelier E, Al Sabeh Y, Sepunaru L, Gordon MJ, Morse DE. Voltage-calibrated, finely tunable protein assembly. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230183. [PMID: 37403486 PMCID: PMC10320351 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronally triggered phosphorylation drives the calibrated and cyclable assembly of the reflectin signal transducing proteins, resulting in their fine tuning of colours reflected from specialized skin cells in squid for camouflage and communication. In close parallel to this physiological behaviour, we demonstrate for the first time that electrochemical reduction of reflectin A1, used as a surrogate for charge neutralization by phosphorylation, triggers voltage-calibrated, proportional and cyclable control of the size of the protein's assembly. Electrochemically triggered condensation, folding and assembly were simultaneously analysed using in situ dynamic light scattering, circular dichroism and UV absorbance spectroscopies. The correlation of assembly size with applied potential is probably linked to reflectin's mechanism of dynamic arrest, which is controlled by the extent of neuronally triggered charge neutralization and the corresponding fine tuning of colour in the biological system. This work opens a new perspective on electrically controlling and simultaneously observing reflectin assembly and, more broadly, provides access to manipulate, observe and electrokinetically control the formation of intermediates and conformational dynamics of macromolecular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Chen Lin
- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Eloise Masquelier
- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Yahya Al Sabeh
- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Lior Sepunaru
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Michael J. Gordon
- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Daniel E. Morse
- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
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4
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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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5
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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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6
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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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Yoshida MA, Hirota K, Imoto J, Okuno M, Tanaka H, Kajitani R, Toyoda A, Itoh T, Ikeo K, Sasaki T, Setiamarga DHE. Gene Recruitments and Dismissals in the Argonaut Genome Provide Insights into Pelagic Lifestyle Adaptation and Shell-like Eggcase Reacquisition. Genome Biol Evol 2022; 14:evac140. [PMID: 36283693 PMCID: PMC9635652 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evac140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The paper nautilus or greater argonaut, Argonauta argo, is a species of octopods which is characterized by its pelagic lifestyle and by the presence of a protective spiral-shaped shell-like eggcase in females. To reveal the genomic background of how the species adapted to the pelagic lifestyle and acquired its shell-like eggcase, we sequenced the draft genome of the species. The genome size was 1.1 Gb, which is the smallest among the cephalopods known to date, with the top 215 scaffolds (average length 5,064,479 bp) covering 81% (1.09 Gb) of the total assembly. A total of 26,433 protein-coding genes were predicted from 16,802 assembled scaffolds. From these, we identified nearly intact HOX, Parahox, Wnt clusters, and some gene clusters that could probably be related to the pelagic lifestyle, such as reflectin, tyrosinase, and opsin. The gene models also revealed several homologous genes related to calcified shell formation in Conchiferan mollusks, such as Pif-like, SOD, and TRX. Interestingly, comparative genomics analysis revealed that the homologous genes for such genes were also found in the genome of the shell-less octopus, as well as Nautilus, which has a true outer shell. Therefore, the draft genome sequence of Arg. argo presented here has helped us to gain further insights into the genetic background of the dynamic recruitment and dismissal of genes to form an important, converging extended phenotypic structure such as the shell and the shell-like eggcase. Additionally, it allows us to explore the evolution of from benthic to pelagic lifestyles in cephalopods and octopods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masa-aki Yoshida
- Marine Biological Science Section, Education and Research Center for Biological Resources, Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University, Okinoshima, Shimane 685-0024, Japan
| | - Kazuki Hirota
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Institute of Technology (KOSEN), Wakayama College, Gobo, Wakayama 644-0012, Japan
| | - Junichi Imoto
- Center for Information Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Miki Okuno
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tanaka
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Rei Kajitani
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
- Advanced Genomics Center, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Takehiko Itoh
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Kazuho Ikeo
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Takenori Sasaki
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
- The University Museum, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Davin H E Setiamarga
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Institute of Technology (KOSEN), Wakayama College, Gobo, Wakayama 644-0012, Japan
- The University Museum, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Torres-Huerta AL, Antonio-Pérez A, García-Huante Y, Alcázar-Ramírez NJ, Rueda-Silva JC. Biomolecule-Based Optical Metamaterials: Design and Applications. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:962. [PMID: 36354471 PMCID: PMC9688573 DOI: 10.3390/bios12110962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Metamaterials are broadly defined as artificial, electromagnetically homogeneous structures that exhibit unusual physical properties that are not present in nature. They possess extraordinary capabilities to bend electromagnetic waves. Their size, shape and composition can be engineered to modify their characteristics, such as iridescence, color shift, absorbance at different wavelengths, etc., and harness them as biosensors. Metamaterial construction from biological sources such as carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids represents a low-cost alternative, rendering high quantities and yields. In addition, the malleability of these biomaterials makes it possible to fabricate an endless number of structured materials such as composited nanoparticles, biofilms, nanofibers, quantum dots, and many others, with very specific, invaluable and tremendously useful optical characteristics. The intrinsic characteristics observed in biomaterials make them suitable for biomedical applications. This review addresses the optical characteristics of metamaterials obtained from the major macromolecules found in nature: carbohydrates, proteins and DNA, highlighting their biosensor field use, and pointing out their physical properties and production paths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Laura Torres-Huerta
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Estado de México, Av. Lago de Guadalupe KM 3.5, Margarita Maza de Juárez, Cd. López Mateos, Atizapán de Zaragoza 52926, Mexico
| | - Aurora Antonio-Pérez
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Estado de México, Av. Lago de Guadalupe KM 3.5, Margarita Maza de Juárez, Cd. López Mateos, Atizapán de Zaragoza 52926, Mexico
| | - Yolanda García-Huante
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria en Ingeniería y Tecnologías Avanzadas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (UPIITA-IPN), Mexico City 07340, Mexico
| | - Nayelhi Julieta Alcázar-Ramírez
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Estado de México, Av. Lago de Guadalupe KM 3.5, Margarita Maza de Juárez, Cd. López Mateos, Atizapán de Zaragoza 52926, Mexico
| | - Juan Carlos Rueda-Silva
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Estado de México, Av. Lago de Guadalupe KM 3.5, Margarita Maza de Juárez, Cd. López Mateos, Atizapán de Zaragoza 52926, Mexico
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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9
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Sakai D, Nishikawa J, Kakiuchida H, Hirose E. Stack of cellular lamellae forms a silvered cortex to conceal the opaque organ in a transparent gastropod in epipelagic habitat. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14284. [PMID: 36325178 PMCID: PMC9620974 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gelatinous zooplankton in epipelagic environments often have highly transparent bodies to avoid detection by their visual predators and prey; however, the digestive systems are often exceptionally opaque even in these organisms. In a holoplanktonic gastropod, Pterotrachea coronata, the visceral nucleus is an opaque organ located at the posterior end of its alimentary system, but this organ has a mirrored surface to conceal its internal opaque tissue. Results Our ultrastructural observation proved that the cortex of the visceral nucleus comprised a stack of thin cellular lamellae forming a Bragg reflector, and the thickness of lamellae (0.16 µm in average) and the spaces between the lamellae (0.1 µm in average) tended to become thinner toward inner lamellae. Based on the measured values, we built virtual models of the multilamellar layer comprising 50 lamellae and spaces, and the light reflection on the models was calculated using rigorous coupled wave analysis to evaluate their properties as reflectors. Our simulation supported the idea that the layer is a reflective tissue, and the thickness of the lamella/space must be chirped to reflect sunlight as white/silver light, mostly independent of the angle of incidence. Conclusions In P. coronata, the cortex of the visceral nucleus comprised multicellular lamellae that form a chirped Bragg reflector. It is distinct in structure from the intracellular Bragg structures of common iridophores. This novel Bragg reflector demonstrates the diversity and convergent evolution of reflective tissue using reflectin-like proteins in Mollusca.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Sakai
- School of Regional Innovation and Social Design Engineering, Kitami Institute of Technology, Kitami, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Jun Nishikawa
- Department of Marine Biology, School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University, Shimizu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kakiuchida
- Innovative Functional Materials Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Euichi Hirose
- Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan
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10
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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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11
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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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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: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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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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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Abstract
AbstractStructural proteins, including silk fibroins, play an important role in shaping the skeletons and structures of cells, tissues, and organisms. The amino acid sequences of structural proteins often show characteristic features, such as a repeating tandem motif, that are notably different from those of functional proteins such as enzymes and antibodies. In recent years, materials composed of or containing structural proteins have been studied and developed as biomedical, apparel, and structural materials. This review outlines the definition of structural proteins, methods for characterizing structural proteins as polymeric materials, and potential applications.
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16
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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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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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18
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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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19
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Simon AJ, Walls-Smith LT, Plaxco KW. Exploiting the conformational-selection mechanism to control the response kinetics of a "smart" DNA hydrogel. Analyst 2019; 143:2531-2538. [PMID: 29713702 DOI: 10.1039/c8an00337h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The sequence-specific hybridization and molecular recognition properties of DNA support the construction of stimulus-responsive hydrogels with precisely controlled crosslink geometry. Here we show that, as predicted by the conformational selection mechanism, the response kinetics of such a hydrogel can be tuned over orders of magnitude by modulating the thermodynamic stability of its crosslinks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J Simon
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
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20
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21
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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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22
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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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23
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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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24
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Jung Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Angela L. Holmberg
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Bradley D. Olsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
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25
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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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26
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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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27
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Phan L, Kautz R, Arulmoli J, Kim IH, Le DTT, Shenk MA, Pathak MM, Flanagan LA, Tombola F, Gorodetsky AA. Reflectin as a Material for Neural Stem Cell Growth. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:278-284. [PMID: 26703760 PMCID: PMC4721522 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b08717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Cephalopods possess remarkable camouflage capabilities, which are enabled by their complex skin structure and sophisticated nervous system. Such unique characteristics have in turn inspired the design of novel functional materials and devices. Within this context, recent studies have focused on investigating the self-assembly, optical, and electrical properties of reflectin, a protein that plays a key role in cephalopod structural coloration. Herein, we report the discovery that reflectin constitutes an effective material for the growth of human neural stem/progenitor cells. Our findings may hold relevance both for understanding cephalopod embryogenesis and for developing improved protein-based bioelectronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Phan
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Rylan Kautz
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Janahan Arulmoli
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Sue
and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Iris H. Kim
- Department
of Physiology and Biophysics, University
of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Dai Trang T. Le
- Department
of Physiology and Biophysics, University
of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Michael A. Shenk
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Medha M. Pathak
- Department
of Physiology and Biophysics, University
of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Lisa A. Flanagan
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Sue
and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department
of Neurology, University of California,
Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Francesco Tombola
- Department
of Physiology and Biophysics, University
of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Alon A. Gorodetsky
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California,
Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
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28
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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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29
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Levenson R, Bracken C, Bush N, Morse DE. Cyclable Condensation and Hierarchical Assembly of Metastable Reflectin Proteins, the Drivers of Tunable Biophotonics. J Biol Chem 2015; 291:4058-68. [PMID: 26719342 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.686014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Reversible changes in the phosphorylation of reflectin proteins have been shown to drive the tunability of color and brightness of light reflected from specialized cells in the skin of squids and related cephalopods. We show here, using dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, and fluorescence analyses, that reversible titration of the excess positive charges of the reflectins, comparable with that produced by phosphorylation, is sufficient to drive the reversible condensation and hierarchical assembly of these proteins. The results suggest a two-stage process in which charge neutralization first triggers condensation, resulting in the emergence of previously cryptic structures that subsequently mediate reversible, hierarchical assembly. The extent to which cyclability is seen in the in vitro formation and disassembly of complexes estimated to contain several thousand reflectin molecules suggests that intrinsic sequence- and structure-determined specificity governs the reversible condensation and assembly of the reflectins and that these processes are therefore sufficient to produce the reversible changes in refractive index, thickness, and spacing of the reflectin-containing subcellular Bragg lamellae to change the brightness and color of reflected light. This molecular mechanism points to the metastability of reflectins as the centrally important design principle governing biophotonic tunability in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Levenson
- From the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100
| | - Colton Bracken
- From the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100
| | - Nicole Bush
- From the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100
| | - Daniel E Morse
- From the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5100
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