Structure-Property relationship of S-layer protein assemblies at extremophilic archea bacteria

工作性质*我研究计划的长期目标是调查古生菌表层(S层)组件的极端稳定性和独特性质，最终目的是在各种生物技术领域设计纳米设备。该研究计划将基础科学和应用科学与生物工程和合成生物学结合起来。我们重点研究了从深海黑烟喷口分离的极端嗜热古细菌Marinus(S.marinus)独特的S-层蛋白组合的结构与性质的关系。Marinus是一种严格的厌氧硫还原古生菌，它利用多肽作为碳源，在高达98℃的温度下生长。它有一个由细长的四臂单元组成的蛋白质S层，四臂单元排列在一个3D网络中，与耐高温的蛋白酶形成蛋白质-蛋白质异源复合体，称为稳定。由于对深海火山极端条件的适应，海洋链霉菌的S层蛋白具有不同寻常的稳定性。*拟研究的重点是四臂细菌形成准晶S层的三维组装机制，四臂细菌与STRISTER形成络合物的分子机制，以及S层组分的极端稳定性，为生物工程和合成生物学奠定基础。所有这些研究都涉及结构、生物物理和合成方法的结合，并为本科生和研究生提供了现代综合研究计划中各种不同的技能。*重要性*自从发现古生菌以来，由于它们对极端环境的独特适应能力，它们一直受到密切关注。有人认为，生命起源于高温，因此对这些生物的研究为早期生命形式的生物学提供了洞察力。此外，了解它们适应极端条件(pH、温度、压力、盐度、离子强度)的分子机制使这些微生物成为生物技术发展的完美研究工具。*结果和益处*预期的结果是获得有关古细菌蛋白质组件极端稳定性的机械和化学信息。了解它们独特适应的分子基础，将为我们理解生命的起源开辟新的视角，并将为生物技术应用在监测、修复和催化纳米设备等广泛领域的发展提供新的见解。在接下来的5年里，预计任何时候都会有3-4名研究生参与到这个研究项目中来。我们的发现将指导对加拿大生物技术行业产生重大影响的人工S层组件的设计和分析。**

Nature of the Work***The long term objective of my research program is to investigate the extreme stability and unique properties of archaea Surface layer (S-layer) components for the ultimate purpose to engineer nano-devices in a variety of biotechnological fields. The research program combines Basic -and Applied Science with Bio-engineering and Synthetic Biology. We focus our attention on the structure-property relationship of the unique S-layer protein assembly from Staphylothermus marinus (S. marinus), an extremophillic archaea bacterium isolated from deep sea black smoker vents. S. marinus is a strict anaerobic sulfur reducing archaeon that utilizes peptides as a carbon source and grows at temperatures up to 98C. It has a proteinaceous S-layer consisting of elongated Tetrabrachion units arranged in a 3D-network that forms a protein-protein heterocomplex with the hyperthermostable protease, called STABLE. As a consequence of its adaptation to the extreme conditions at the deep sea volcano, the S-layer proteins of S. marinus are characterized by an unusual stability. ******The proposed research will focus on investigating structural and mechanistic features of (i) the 3D-assembly mechanism of Tetrabrachion to form a quasi-crystalline S-layer, (ii) the molecular mechanisms of complex formation between Tetrabrachion and STABLE and (iii) the extreme stability of S-layer components as a foundation for bio-engineering and synthetic biology. All these studies involve a combination of structural, biophysical and synthetic approaches and offer undergraduate and graduate students a great variety of different skills in modern integrated research programs. ******Importance***Since their discovery, archaea have been under intense scrutiny due to their unique adaptations to the extreme environments in which they thrive. It is suggested that life has hyperthermophilic origins, and thus the study of these organisms provides insight into the biology of early life forms. In addition, understanding the molecular mechanisms of their adaptation to the extreme conditions (pH, Temperature, pressure, salinity, ionic strength) makes these microorganisms a perfect research tool for biotechnological developments. ******Outcome and Benefit***The expected outcome is to obtain mechanistic and chemical information about the extreme stability of archaeal protein assemblies. Understanding the molecular basis of their unique adaptation, will open new perspectives on our understanding of the origin of life and will provide new insights into development of biotechnological applications in the broad fields of monitoring, remediation and catalytic nano-devices. Over the next 5 years, it is expected that 3-4 graduate students be engaged in this research program at any given time. Our findings will guide the design and analysis of artificial S-layer assemblies with great impact on Canada's biotech sector.**