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The advancement of nanotechnology and its application in the real world indicate that a large number of nanoparticles of uniform size and shape need to be generated.
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Nanoparticles are known for their nanometer-scale size of less than 100 nm. Their formulations using metals have been extensively studied, such as the use of gold nanoparticles for precise targeting or the use of silver nanoparticles for antibacterial activity. However, their small nano-size has brought challenges, such as being able to mass-produce these new uniform particles-making nanoparticles with the same structure at the atomic level has become an obstacle for researchers.
Collaborating researchers from Japan successfully solved this problem with their newly developed uniform supramolecular protein nanoparticles, which are symmetrically self-assembled by fusion proteins.
In recent years, significant progress has been made in nanoparticle research, and researchers have provided an understanding of how to form synthetic nanoparticles, while having the ability and complexity to function at the high level of complexity previously maintained by their natural counterpart biomolecules.
The idea of nanotechnology can be attributed to Richard Feynman in 1959 as a method of producing smaller machines that can be used to manipulate matter at the atomic level. The field is growing exponentially, and nanoparticles have become a powerful and useful component that can be used to advance various applications of biomedicine from biotechnology and electronic technology to medical treatment.
Because nanoparticles are similar in size to cells in the body, the use of nanoparticles in drug delivery has become an important and natural way to facilitate the natural interaction between the two. The use of these high-functional synthetic particles aims to improve the limitations of traditional small molecule therapies. This is done by loading the active ingredients in the drug into the nanoparticles and then taking them to the desired destination.
The precise targeting of these particles can also be used to ensure that the drug concentration is within the problem area and has less impact on the healthy area. In addition, this also helps to reduce the toxicity of the drug to cells, which is helpful for patient care.
One challenge facing researchers in the field of nanotechnology is the ability to produce large numbers of uniformly structured synthetic protein nanoparticles. Due to the nanoscale size of these particles, this problem is understandable.
A team of researchers led by Associate Professor Ryoichi Arai of Shinshu University in Japan and Assistant Professor Norifumi Kawakami of Keio University in Japan developed a uniform supramolecular protein nanoparticle TIP60 as a way to overcome obstacles to nanoparticle progress.
TIP60 stands for a truncated icosahedral protein composed of 60-mer fusion proteins. It is a new development and is symmetrically self-assembled from a pentamer Sm-like protein and a dimer MyoX helical domain fusion protein. This innovation is formed by a self-assembled 60-mer artificial fusion protein. The team enables this protein nanoparticle to change its function through site-specific mutagenesis or chemical modification.
New protein nanoparticles can be designed to form hollow nanoparticles; it is very important to be able to formulate this type of structure. The study found that a large amount of TIP60 was expressed in E. coli. The laboratory of Professor Masahide Kikkawa of the University of Tokyo used a single-particle cryo-electron microscope to observe the purified samples. Its significance includes the ability to produce a large number of synthetic protein nanoparticles of uniform shape and size.
The future work of these researchers includes advancing nanoparticle design and functional modification of site-specific variants on the basis of this research. Doing so will help advance medicine and drug therapy for use as nanocapsules or carriers for advanced drug delivery systems. Having the uniformity of these particles can give more confidence in the reliability of these particles before they are used in the body.
Conducting in vitro experiments will help advance the use of these synthetic protein nanoparticles, while observing their interaction with other cells and how they are used to deliver substances.
Synthetic protein nanoparticles have been improved from the beginning. By modifying their functions, they can be used in a variety of applications because they are compatible with a variety of molecules, from radiolabels to dyes. In addition, taking advantage of their nanoscale size, uniformity, and mass production will lead to higher commercial uses in a wider range of medical and pharmaceutical industries, promote treatment and improve patient care.
Continue reading: Post-pandemic outlook for antiviral nanoparticles and nanofiber filters.
Obata, J., Kawakami, N., Tsutsumi, A., Nasu, E., Miyamoto, K., Kikkawa, M. and Arai, R., (2021) Designed supramolecular protein nanoparticle TIP60 icosahedron 60-meric porous structure. Chemical Communications, 57(79), pages 10226-10229. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03114G
Phys.org. (2021) The 3D structure of the artificially designed protein nanoparticle TIP60 was elucidated by cryo-electron microscopy. [Online] Available at: https://phys.org/news/2021-10-3d-artificially-protein-nanoparticle-tip60.html
Science Daily. (2017) Synthetic nanoparticles realize the complexity of protein molecules. [Online] Available at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170123151338.htm
Quevedo, D., (2021) Design, application and processing of synthetic protein nanoparticles. [Online] Deepblue.lib.umich.edu. Available at: https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/163223/danqueve_1.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
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Marzia Khan is a lover of scientific research and innovation. She immersed herself in literature and novel therapies through her position on the Royal Free Ethics Review Board. Marzia holds a master's degree in nanotechnology and regenerative medicine and a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences. She currently works in the NHS and participates in a scientific innovation program.
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