Intracrystalline Protein Repeat Sequences: Structure and Function

晶内蛋白质重复序列：结构和功能

• 批准号: 9901356
• 负责人: John Evans
• 金额: $ 30万
• 依托单位: New York University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 1999
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1999-08-01 至 2002-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9901356&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Intracrystalline; Protein; Repeat; Sequences; Structure

9901356EvansThe focus of this project is on an emerging area of biomolecular-based materials referred to as biomineralization, an organism-directed process which lead to the formation of composites - i.e., polymers in association with inorganic material. An interesting model system in biomineralization are sea urchins and sponges: in their embryonic stage, both organisms produce a calcium carbonate-based mineral structure known as the spicule. In sea urchins, the spicule begins as single crystal calcite, but develops an amorphous calcium carbonate phase which envelopes the calcitic phase. The amorphous phase then transforms into calcite as development proceeds. In sponges, the story is slightly different: some spicules are either entirely comprised of amorphous calcium carbonate, or, have a calcitic core which is surrounded by the amorphous phase. In both organisms, the inorganic matrix contains a protein-based, self-assembled matrix which runs parallel to the mineral phase. The proteins which comprise this matrix contains a protein-based, self-assembled matrix which runs parallel to the mineral phase, and are believed to stabilize the amorphous phase and/or manifest fracture-resistant or elastic properties. To understand how these proteins perform their functions, NMR and molecular modeling studies will be undertaken to determine the structure of sea urchin spicule matrix protein sequences, and, how these particular domains may either associate with each other, with the mineral environment, or, behave under force extension. The data obtained from these studies will not only help to understanding how biological self-assembly, inorganic phase stability, and fracture resistance occur within spicules, but will also lead to the development of a molecular blueprint for novel and versatile biomimetic-based materials. Educational goals within this project will include the development of multidisciplinary training programs for graduate and undergraduate students, as well as involvement of high school students in research projects which draw from the areas of biology, chemistry, and physics.In a quest for better materials that can be used in medicine, aerospace and manufacturing, scientists are now turning to Nature, where simple organisms, such as sea urchins and sponges, have developed way to generate structures that protect them from their environment. These structures involve naturally-occurring polymers that associate with inorganic-based materials like calcium carbonate. Our plan is to study these structures tat the molecular level. From these studies, new strategies will emerge for material processing, creating environmentally-friendly materials, and improving material properties such as fracture resistance or material stability.

9901356埃文斯该项目的重点是一个新兴的领域的生物分子为基础的材料被称为生物矿化，一个有机体导向的过程，导致形成复合材料-即，与无机材料结合的聚合物。 海胆和海绵是生物矿化的一个有趣的模型系统：在它们的胚胎阶段，这两种生物都产生一种以碳酸钙为基础的矿物结构，称为骨针。 在海胆中，骨针开始为单晶方解石，但发展为包裹方解石相的无定形碳酸钙相。 然后，随着显影的进行，无定形相转变成方解石。 在海绵中，情况略有不同：一些针状体完全由无定形碳酸钙组成，或者具有被无定形相包围的方解石核心。 在这两种生物体中，无机基质都包含一种基于蛋白质的自组装基质，该基质与矿物相平行。 构成该基质的蛋白质含有基于蛋白质的自组装基质，其平行于矿物相，并且被认为稳定无定形相和/或表现出耐老化或弹性特性。 为了了解这些蛋白质如何执行其功能，将进行NMR和分子建模研究，以确定海胆骨针基质蛋白质序列的结构，以及这些特定的结构域如何相互关联，与矿物环境，或在力延伸下表现。 从这些研究中获得的数据不仅有助于了解生物自组装，无机相稳定性和抗断裂性如何在针状体中发生，而且还将导致开发新型和多功能仿生材料的分子蓝图。 该项目的教育目标将包括为研究生和本科生开发多学科培训计划，以及高中生参与生物学，化学和物理学领域的研究项目。为了寻求可用于医学，航空航天和制造业的更好材料，科学家们现在转向自然，简单的生物体，例如海胆和海绵，已经开发出了产生保护它们免受环境影响结构的方法。 这些结构涉及天然存在的聚合物，这些聚合物与碳酸钙等无机基材料相关联。 我们的计划是在分子水平上研究这些结构。 从这些研究中，将出现新的材料加工策略，创造环境友好型材料，并改善材料性能，如抗断裂性或材料稳定性。