Adsorption of protein GlnB of Herbaspirillum seropedicae on Si(111) investigated by AFM and XPS

Cell Biochem Biophys. 2006;44(3):503-11. doi: 10.1385/CBB:44:3:503.

Abstract

The protein GlnB-Hs (GlnB of Herbaspirillum seropedicae) in diazotroph micro-organisms signalizes levels of nitrogen, carbon, and energy for a series of proteins involved in the regulation of expression and control of the activity of nitrogenase complex that converts atmospheric nitrogen in ammonia, resulting in biological nitrogen fixation. Its structure has already been determined by X-ray diffraction, revealing a trimer of (36 kDa) with lateral cavities having hydrophilic boundaries. The interactions of GlnB-Hs with the well-known Si(111) surface were investigated for different incubation times, protein concentrations in initial solution, deposition conditions, and substrate initial state. The protein solution was deposited on Si(111) and dried under controlled conditions. An atomic force microscope operating in dynamic mode shows images of circular, linear, and more complex donut-shaped protein arrangement, and also filament types of organization, which vary from a few nanometers to micrometers. Apparently, the filament formation was favored because of protein surface polarity when in contact with the silicon surface, following some specific orientation. The spin-coating technique was successfully used to obtain more uniform surface covering.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Genes, Bacterial / physiology
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / chemistry
  • Herbaspirillum
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Nitrogen / chemistry
  • Nitrogenase / chemistry
  • PII Nitrogen Regulatory Proteins / chemistry*
  • PII Nitrogen Regulatory Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Rhizobiaceae
  • Silicon / chemistry*
  • Solutions
  • Surface Properties
  • X-Ray Diffraction / methods

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • PII Nitrogen Regulatory Proteins
  • Solutions
  • PIID regulatory protein, Bacteria
  • Nitrogenase
  • Nitrogen
  • Silicon