Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
VNPs were reproduced from the VIPER database (www.viperdb.scripps.edu): BMV,
CCMV, CPMV, RCNMV, TYMV, FHV, HK97, MS2, Q
b
, and CPV. The structure of HCRSV was
reproduced from Doan, D. N.,
(3), 253-261. The cryo-
electron microscopy structure of P22 was reproduced with permission from Chang, J.,
et al.
et al.
(2003)
J. Struct. Biol.
,
144
(2006)
Structure
,
14
(6), 1073-1082. The T7 structure was taken with permission
from Agirrezabala , X.,
cryo-electron
microscopy reconstruction was reproduced with permission from Johnson, J. E., and
Speir J. A. (1997)
et al.
(2007)
Structure
,
15
, 461-472.
Adenovirus
(5), 665-675. The cryo-reconstruction of TMV was
provided by Bridget Carragher and Clint Potter; data were collected and processed at
the National Resource for Automated Molecular Microscopy at the Scripps Research
Institute.) M13 was taken with permission from Khalil, A. S.,
J. Mol. Biol.
,
269
et al.
(2007)
PNAS
,
104
(12), 4892-4897.
exotic structural or chemical features, and these are often found as infectious
agents of extremophile hosts. For example, the hyperthermophile organism
Sulfolobus islandicus
°
thrives at 80
C and pH < 3.0. The associated filamentous
archaeal virus
rod-shaped virus 2 (SIRV2) is both
extremely stable owing to its host natural habitat, and uniquely exploitable
as a template for site-selective and spatially controlled bioconjugation.
Functionalities can be attached and displayed at either the virus body or its
ends (Steinmetz
Sulfolobus islandicus
, 2008).
From a materials science point of view, VNPs are exceptionally robust;
as mentioned earlier, a primary function of the capsid is the protection of
the encapsidated nucleic acid. As a result temperature- and pH-stability is
increased. Several VNPs sustain temperatures as high as 60
et al.
°
C for several
hours. In terms of pH stability, various particles remain intact over a pH range
of 2-10. These characteristics make them feasible building blocks for the
generation of novel materials. Chemists have also found that many VNPs are
stable in a range of solvent-buffer mixtures, which is essential for chemical
modification procedures (see Chapter 4).
VNPs can be produced on a large scale at low costs and in short time
frames (discussed in detail in Chapter 3). The particles have a high degree of
symmetry and polyvalency, and they are monodisperse, meaning that every
single particle looks virtually identical in size and shape to all other particles
formed by that species. In addition to the ability to self-assemble into discrete
particles, VNPs also show a propensity for self-organization. Straightforward
crystallization procedures lead to self-organization, and 2D and 3D crystals
can be readily obtained (Sun
, 2002). In addition
self-supporting crystalline thin films in the centimeter range, especially of
rod-shaped VNPs, can be fabricated (Kuncicky
et al.
, 2007; Wang
et al.
et al.
, 2006; Lee
et al.
, 2003).
(Arrays and films are described in Chapter 7.)
Search WWH ::
Custom Search