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Kinetics of charge-dependent reversible condensation of reflectin nanostructures
Publication . Lychko, Iana; Soares, Cátia Lopes; Barbosa, Arménio Jorge Moura; Calmeiro, Tomás Rosa; Martins, Rodrigo Ferrão de Paiva; Dias, Ana Margarida Gonçalves Carvalho; Roque, Ana Cecília Afonso; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit; CENIMAT-i3N - Centro de Investigação de Materiais (Lab. Associado I3N); RSC - Royal Society of Chemistry
Reflectins are unique cephalopod proteins found in specialized cells. They form fast triggerable nanostructures in vivo that play a crucial role in light reflection and camouflage. We investigated the rapid kinetics of in vitro reversible self-assembly of two recombinant reflectin sequences (R1b and R6) using pH variations as a trigger. By employing experimental and theoretical approaches across scales, we demonstrated that R6 exhibits superior reversibility and faster assembly kinetics. R6 maintained reversible assembly for up to 7 rapid pH cycles, with changes occurring in less than 20 minutes. This enhanced performance is attributed to R6's higher content of pH-sensitive residues and favorable charge distribution. Our findings impact the design of reflectin-inspired artificial biophotonic systems, offering potential applications in sensors, adaptive optics, and dynamic display technologies.
Hierarchical self-assembly of a reflectin-derived peptide
Publication . Dias, Ana Margarida Gonçalves Carvalho; Moreira, Inês Pimentel; Lychko, Iana; Lopes Soares, Cátia; Nurrito, Arianna; Moura Barbosa, Arménio Jorge; Lutz-Bueno, Viviane; Mezzenga, Raffaele; Carvalho, Ana Luísa; Pina, Ana Sofia; Roque, Ana Cecília Afonso; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit; DQ - Departamento de Química; Frontiers Media
Reflectins are a family of intrinsically disordered proteins involved in cephalopod camouflage, making them an interesting source for bioinspired optical materials. Understanding reflectin assembly into higher-order structures by standard biophysical methods enables the rational design of new materials, but it is difficult due to their low solubility. To address this challenge, we aim to understand the molecular self-assembly mechanism of reflectin’s basic unit—the protopeptide sequence YMDMSGYQ—as a means to understand reflectin’s assembly phenomena. Protopeptide self-assembly was triggered by different environmental cues, yielding supramolecular hydrogels, and characterized by experimental and theoretical methods. Protopeptide films were also prepared to assess optical properties. Our results support the hypothesis for the protopeptide aggregation model at an atomistic level, led by hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions mediated by tyrosine residues. Protopeptide-derived films were optically active, presenting diffuse reflectance in the visible region of the light spectrum. Hence, these results contribute to a better understanding of the protopeptide structural assembly, crucial for the design of peptide- and reflectin-based functional materials.
Cephalopod proteins for bioinspired and sustainable biomaterials design
Publication . Lychko, Iana; Padrão, Inês; Eva, Afonso Vicente; Domingos, Catarina Alexandra Oliveira; Costa, Henrique Miguel Aljustrel da; Dias, Ana Margarida Gonçalves Carvalho; Roque, Ana Cecília Afonso; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit; Elsevier BV
Nature offers a boundless source of inspiration for designing bio-inspired technologies and advanced materials. Cephalopods, including octopuses, squids, and cuttlefish, exhibit remarkable biological adaptations, such as dynamic camouflage for predator evasion and communication, as well as robust prey-capturing tools, including beaks and sucker-ring teeth that operate under extreme mechanical stresses in aqueous environments. Central to these remarkable traits are structural proteins that serve as versatile polymeric materials. From a materials science perspective, proteins present unique opportunities due to their genetically encoded sequences, enabling access to a diversity of sequences and precise control over polymer composition and properties. This intrinsic programmability allows scalable, environmentally sustainable production through recombinant biotechnology, in contrast to petroleum-derived polymers. This review highlights recent advances in understanding cephalopod-specific proteins, emphasizing their potential for creating next-generation bioengineered materials and driving sustainable innovation in biomaterials science.
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Entidade financiadora
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Programa de financiamento
Concurso para Financiamento de Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Todos os Domínios Científicos - 2017
Número da atribuição
PTDC/BII-BIO/28878/2017