Nanocapsules Produced by Nanoprecipitation of Designed Suckerin-Silk Fusion Proteins

ACS Macro Lett. 2021 May 18;10(5):628-634. doi: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00171. Epub 2021 May 3.

Abstract

Herein, we report on the precise design of a modular fusion protein amenable to the construction of nanocapsules by nanoprecipitation. The central squid suckerin-derived peptide block provides structural stability, whereas both termini from spider silk fibroins make the protein highly soluble at physiological pH, a critical requirement for the nanoprecipitation process. With this design, nanocapsules consisting of fusion protein shells and oily cores with sizes in the range of 190-250 nm are built in a straightforward manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Decapodiformes / chemistry
  • Fibroins* / chemistry
  • Nanocapsules*
  • Peptides
  • Silk / chemistry

Substances

  • Nanocapsules
  • Peptides
  • Silk
  • Fibroins