Control of Protein Oligomerization Symmetry by Metal Coordination: C_3 and C_3 Symmetrical Assemblies through Cu~(II) and Ni~(II) Coordination

摘要

We describe the metal-dependent self-assembly of symmetrical protein homooligomers from protein building blocks that feature appropriately engineered metal-chelating motifs on their surfaces. Crystallographic studies indicate that the same four-helix-bundle protein construct, MBPC-1, can self-assemble into C_2 and C_3 symmetrical assemblies dictated by Cu" and Ni" coordination,respectively. The symmetry inherent in metal coordination can thus be directly applied to biological self-assembly.