Self assembling proteins

US6756039B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Todd O. Yeates · Craydon Court, US
• Jennifer Padilla · Los Angeles, US
• Chris Colovos · Thousand Oaks, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 3, 2000
• Grant date: Jun 29, 2004
• Expiry date: May 3, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2760/16022
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Novel fusion proteins capable of self-assembling into regular structures, as well as nucleic acids encoding the same, are provided. The subject fusion proteins comprise at least two oligomerization domains rigidly linked together, e.g. through an alpha helical linking group. Also provided are regular structures comprising a plurality of self-assembled fusion proteins of the subject invention, and methods for producing the same. The subject fusion proteins find use in the preparation of a variety of nanostructures, where such structures include: cages, shells, double-layer rings, two-dimensional layers, three-dimensional crystals, filaments, and tubes.