Apparatus And Method For The Selective Assembly Of Protein

Abstract

The invention describes a method for the selective assembly of proteins into a structure. The method has a first step of the inclusion of a first partial protein sequence -GYG- into a further protein sequence. The protein sequence has in its native state a loop structure. A second step involves the addition of metal ions to thereby form the selective assembly.

1 . A method for the selective assembly of proteins into a structure comprising: 
 a first step of the inclusion of a first partial protein sequence -GYG- into a further protein sequence, the further sequence forming a loop structure in the native state,    a second step of the addition of metal ions to thereby form the selective assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal ions are alkali metal ions.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal ions are selected from the group of metal ions consisting of lithium, sodium and potassium ions.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal ions are alkaline earth metal ions.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal ions are selected from the group of metal ions consisting of magnesium and calcium ions.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal ions are transition metal ions.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal ions are selected from the group of transition metal ions consisting of copper, zinc and iron ions.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first partial protein sequence -GYG- is in an all-gauche conformation.  
     
     
         9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a second partial protein sequence -GGYGG- includes the first partial protein sequence.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  in which one of the glycine molecules in the second partial protein sequence is substituted with another amino acid.  
     
     
         12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first partial protein sequence is part of a protein selected from the group of proteins consisting of fibroin, spidroin and fibronectin.  
     
     
         14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         18 . (canceled)  
     
     
         19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for forming a selective assembly from a protein solution the protein solution having at least a -GYG- partial sequence, the apparatus including at least one passage though which the protein solution is passed; at least one compartment storing an ion solution having metal ions; and a contact area in which the protein solution and the ion solution are brought into contact to thus form the selective assembly.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one passage is separated from the at least one compartment by a wall made of semipermeable or porous material.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , further having at least two compartments isolated from each other, a first one of said at least two compartments surrounding a first portion of the wall and defining an inlet portion of at least one passage and a second one of said at least two compartments surrounding a second portion of said wall defining an outlet portion of the at least one passage.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein each of the ones of said at least two compartments has a supply and removal device for supplying an ion solution to, and removing an ion solution from, at least one of said compartments.  
     
     
         25 . (canceled)  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein a cross-sectional area of said inlet portion of the at least one passage decreases towards the outlet portion.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein a diameter of the inlet portion of the at least one passage decreases substantially towards the outlet portion.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein inner surfaces of said walls of the at least one passage are coated with a friction reducing material.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein a concentrically arranged feed device is positioned at the inlet portion of the at least one to supply said protein solution to the passage.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said semipermeable or porous material comprises cellulose acetate-based material, or substituted diethylaminoethyl, carboxyl, or carboxymethyl groups.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said semipermeable material or porous material comprise hollow-fibre membranes of polysulfones, polyethyleneoxide-polysulfone blends, silicone or polyacrylonitrile.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further including supply means for supplying the protein solution to the at least one passage and removal means for removing the material having the selective assembly from the contact area.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the metal ions are alkali metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions or transition metal ions.  
     
     
         34 . (canceled)  
     
     
         35 . (canceled)  
     
     
         36 . (canceled)  
     
     
         37 . (canceled)  
     
     
         38 . (canceled)  
     
     
         39 . (canceled)