Walking by design: how to build artificial molecular motors made of proteins

Abstract

To design an artificial protein-based molecular motor that can autonomously step along a track is a key challenge of protein design and synthetic biology. We lay out a roadmap for how to achieve this aim, based on a modular approach that combines the use of natural, non-motor proteins with de novo design. We define what can be considered to constitute a successful artificial protein motor, identify key steps along the path to achieve these designs, and provide a vision for the future beyond this aim.