Spontaneous and reversible self-assembly of a polypeptide fragment of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 into fluorescent nanotubular structures

Chem Commun (Camb). 2010 Jan 14;46(2):216-8. doi: 10.1039/b915775a. Epub 2009 Nov 12.

Abstract

In this communication, we report the spontaneous and reversible in vitro self-assembly of a polypeptide fragment derived from the C-terminal domain of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein (IGFBP-2) into soluble nanotubular structures several micrometres long via a mechanism involving inter-molecular disulfide bonds and exhibiting enhanced fluorescence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Nanotubes / chemistry*
  • Protein Folding

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2