Protein Engineering of a Viral Cage for Constrained Nanomaterials Synthesis

Abstract

Cage architectures based on the cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (see Figure) have been employed to achieve a synthetic mimic of the iron storage protein ferritin. The electrostatic nature of the inner protein surface could be changed by up to 3240 units of charge, while still maintaining a stable cage structure. The spatial isolation within the protein cage prevents bulk aggregation of the mineral particles and results in a stable, mono-disperse colloid.