Protein-directed self-assembly of a fullerene crystal

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-26-2016

Abstract

Learning to engineer self-assembly would enable the precise organization of molecules by design to create matter with tailored properties. Here we demonstrate that proteins can direct the self-assembly of buckminsterfullerene (C 60) into ordered superstructures. A previously engineered tetrameric helical bundle binds C 60 in solution, rendering it water soluble. Two tetramers associate with one C 60, promoting further organization revealed in a 1.67-Å crystal structure. Fullerene groups occupy periodic lattice sites, sandwiched between two Tyr residues from adjacent tetramers. Strikingly, the assembly exhibits high charge conductance, whereas both the protein-alone crystal and amorphous C 60 are electrically insulating. The affinity of C 60 for its crystal-binding site is estimated to be in the nanomolar range, with lattices of known protein crystals geometrically compatible with incorporating the motif. Taken together, these findings suggest a new means of organizing fullerene molecules into a rich variety of lattices to generate new properties by design.

Identifier

84964978092 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Nature Communications

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms11429

e-ISSN

20411723

PubMed ID

27113637

Volume

7

Grant

CHE-1413295

Fund Ref

National Institutes of Health

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