Dynamic and bio-orthogonal protein assembly along a supramolecular polymer

Abstract

Dynamic protein assembly along supramolecular columnar polymers has been achieved through the site-specific covalent attachment of different SNAP-tag fusion proteins to self-assembled benzylguanine-decorated discotics. The self-assembly of monovalent discotics into supramolecular polymers creates a multivalent, bio-orthogonal and self-regulating framework for protein assembly. The intrinsic reversibility of supramolecular interactions results in reorganization and exchange of building blocks allowing for dynamic intermixing of protein-functionalized discotics between different self-assembled polymers, leading to self-optimization of protein arrangement and distance as evidenced by efficient energy transfer between fluorescent proteins. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.