Hydrophobins as scaffolds for designer enzyme complexes and catalytic surfaces

疏水蛋白是由子囊菌和担子菌部门的真菌产生的小蛋白质，用于粘附到固体表面或出现液相。特别感兴趣的是属于疏水蛋白家族I类的蛋白质。它们在界面（例如固体/水、水/空气）处自发形成膜和在溶液中聚集的能力方面是独特的。本研究的目的是了解如何控制EAS（一种I类疏水蛋白）的自组装能力，以产生能够催化多个反应的大分子。确定聚集是如何调节的也将有利于生物医学研究。疏水蛋白聚集体结构使人联想到与阿尔茨海默病和II型糖尿病相关的淀粉样纤维。

Hydrophobins are small proteins produced by fungi of the ascomycete and basidiomycete divisions for adherence to a solid surface or emergence of a liquid phase. Of particular interest are proteins belonging to class I of the hydrophobin family. They are unique in their ability to spontaneously form membranes at interfaces (e.g. solid/water, water/air) and aggregates in solution. The aim of this research is to learn how to control the ability of EAS, a class I hydrophobin, to self-assemble in order to create macromolecules able to catalyze multiple reactions. Determining how aggregation is regulated will also benefit biomedical research. Hydrophobin aggregate structure is reminiscent of amyloid fibres associated with Alzheimer's disease and type II diabetes.