Hughes, M.D.G. orcid.org/0000-0001-5838-7939, Cook, K.R. orcid.org/0009-0008-5534-2813, Cussons, S. orcid.org/0000-0002-9318-3859 et al. (5 more authors) (2025) Capturing Dynamic Assembly of Nanoscale Proteins During Network Formation. Small, 21 (1). 2407090. ISSN 1613-6810
Abstract
The structural evolution of hierarchical structures of nanoscale biomolecules is crucial for the construction of functional networks in vivo and in vitro. Despite the ubiquity of these networks, the physical mechanisms behind their formation and self-assembly remains poorly understood. Here, this study uses photochemically cross-linked folded protein hydrogels as a model biopolymer network system, with a combined time-resolved rheology and small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) approach to probe both the load-bearing structures and network architectures respectively thereby providing a cross-length scale understanding of the network formation. Combining SAXS, rheology, and kinetic modeling, a dual formation mechanism consisting of a primary formation phase is proposed, where monomeric folded proteins create the preliminary protein network scaffold; and a subsequent secondary formation phase, where both additional intra-network cross-links form and larger oligomers diffuse to join the preliminary network, leading to a denser more mechanically robust structure. Identifying this as the origin of the structural and mechanical properties of protein networks creates future opportunities to understand hierarchical biomechanics in vivo and develop functional, designed-for-purpose, biomaterials.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Keywords: | biomaterials, biomimetic and bioinspired materials, hierarchical biomechanics, network formation |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Physics and Astronomy (Leeds) > Molecular & Nanoscale Physics The University of Leeds > Faculty of Biological Sciences (Leeds) > School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Computing (Leeds) > Computation Science & Engineering The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Food Science and Nutrition (Leeds) > FSN Colloids and Food Processing (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 03 Jan 2025 16:12 |
Last Modified: | 18 Feb 2025 14:46 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Identification Number: | 10.1002/smll.202407090 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:221230 |