Motif-programmed artificial extracellular matrix

Biomacromolecules. 2008 Nov;9(11):3098-105. doi: 10.1021/bm800638z. Epub 2008 Oct 1.

Abstract

Motif-programming is a method for creating artificial proteins by combining functional peptide motifs in a combinatorial manner. This method is particularly well suited for developing liaison molecules that interface between cells and inorganic materials. Here we describe our creation of artificial proteins through the programming of two motifs, a natural cell attachment motif (RGD) and an artificial Ti-binding motif (minTBP-1). The created proteins were found to reversibly bind Ti and to bind MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells. Moreover, although the interaction with Ti was not covalent, the proteins recapitulated several functions of fibronectin, and thus, could serve as an artificial ECM on Ti materials. Because this motif-programming system could be easily extended to create artificial proteins having other biological functions and material specificities, it should be highly useful for application to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Amino Acid Motifs*
  • Animals
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemical synthesis*
  • Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques / methods*
  • Extracellular Matrix / chemistry*
  • Fibronectins
  • Mice
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Protein Engineering*
  • Proteins / chemical synthesis*

Substances

  • Fibronectins
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptides
  • Proteins
  • arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid