Sp1 polypeptides, modified sp1 polypeptides and uses thereof

Abstract

SP1 and modified SP1 variant polypeptides capable of forming reversible molecular associations with substances, compositions-of-matter comprising same, and uses thereof are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition of matter comprising an SP-1 polypeptide-nanoparticle complex, wherein said SP-1 polypeptide comprises a boiling- and detergent stable protein having at least 85% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         2 . A method of coating a surface with a nanoparticle comprising:
 (a) contacting the nanoparticle with an SP-1 polypeptide in order to form a composition of matter comprising an SP-1 polypeptide-nanoparticle complex; and   (b) contacting said surface with the SP-1-nanoparticle complex,   
       thereby coating said surface wherein said SP-1 polypeptide comprises a boiling- and detergent stable protein having at least 85% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said SP-1 polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of native SP-1, SP-1 variants comprising a gold-binding peptide and a SP-1 variants comprising a silicon binding peptide. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said SP-1 polypeptide is a mutant comprising a peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 82-84 and 94-103. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said nanoparticle is a conducting molecule or a semiconducting molecule. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein said SP-1 polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of native SP-1, SP-1 variants comprising a gold-binding peptide and a SP-1 variants comprising a silicon binding peptide. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein said SP-1 polypeptide is a mutant comprising a peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 82-84 and 94-103. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein said nanoparticle is a conducting molecule or a semiconducting molecule. 
     
     
         9 . A method of enhancing the dispersion of a nanoparticle in a solvent comprising:
 (a) contacting the nanoparticle with an SP-1 polypeptide in order to form a composition of matter comprising an SP-1 polypeptide-nanoparticle complex; and   (b) contacting said SP-1-nanoparticle complex with said solvent,   thereby enhancing the dispersion of said nanoparticles in said solvent, wherein said SP-1 polypeptide comprises a boiling- and detergent stable protein having at least 85% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said solvent is an aqueous solvent. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said SP-1 polypeptide is a mutant comprising a peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 82-84 and 94-103.