Biophysical methods for the elucidation of the S-layer proteins /metal interaction

P. MOBILI, M.A. SERRADELL, C. MAYER, V. ARLUISON AND A. GOMEZ ZAVAGLIA

Biochemistry Research & Review

SCIENCEDOMAIN international

Lugar: London; Año: 2013 vol. 3 p. 39 - 62

2231-086X

Surface-layers (S-layers) are macromolecular paracrystalline arrays of proteins or glycoproteins that can self-assemble into 2-dimensional semi-permeable meshworks to overlay the cell surface of many bacteria and archaea. They usually assemble into lattices with oblique, square or hexagonal symmetry and serve as an interface between the bacterial cell and the environment. Isolated S-layers can recrystallize into two-dimensional regular arrays in suspension or on various surfaces, thus being an appropriate material for several bionanotechnological purposes. Promising applications of S-layers include their use as biotemplates for the capture of metal ions or the synthesis of metal nanoclusters.