ATP-Responsive Nanoparticles Covered with Biomolecular Machine Chaperonin GroEL

Herein, we report an ATP-responsive nanoparticle ((NP)-N-GroEL) whose surface is fully covered with the biomolecular machine chaperonin protein GroEL. (NP)-N-GroEL was synthesized by DNA hybridization between a gold NP with DNA strands on its surface and GroEL carrying complementary DNA strands at its apical domains. The unique structure of (NP)-N-GroEL was visualized by transmission electron microscopy including under cryogenic conditions. The immobilized GroEL units retain their machine-like function and enable (NP)-N-GroEL to capture denatured green fluorescent protein and release it in response to ATP. Interestingly, the ATPase activity of (NP)-N-GroEL per GroEL was 4.8 and 4.0 times greater than those of precursor (cys)GroEL and its DNA-functionalized analogue, respectively. Finally, we confirmed that (NP)-N-GroEL could be iteratively extended to double-layered (GroEL)(2) NP.

Automated summary

Here, an ATP-responsive nanoparticle, (NP)-N-GroEL, was synthesized by DNA hybridization between a gold nanoparticle and GroEL protein. The (NP)-N-GroEL retained its machine-like function and could capture and release denatured green fluorescent protein in response to ATP. It exhibited significantly higher ATPase activity compared to its precursor (cys)GroEL and DNA-functionalized analogue. Furthermore, it was found that (NP)-N-GroEL could be extended to double-layered (GroEL)2 NP.