Identification and characterization of reflectin proteins from squid reflective tissues

US7314735B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII · US
• The Regents of the University of California · US
• Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce · US

Inventors

• Wendy J. Goodson · Madison, US
• Margaret McFall-Ngai · Middleton, US
• Jennifer Kimbell · Honolulu, US
• Joseph Horwitz · Los Angeles, US
• Ryan Kramer · Seattle, US
• Rajesh Naik · Centerville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 1, 2005
• Grant date: Jan 1, 2008
• Expiry date: Mar 1, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07K14/43504
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A family of reflectin proteins is identified herein that is deposited in flat, structural platelets in reflective tissues of the squid Euprymna scolopes. These proteins are encoded by at least six genes in three subfamilies and have no reported homologues outside of squids. Reflectins possess 5 repeating domains, that are remarkably conserved among members of the family. The proteins have a highly unusual composition with four relatively rare residues (tyrosine, methionine, arginine, and tryptophan) comprising ˜57% of a reflectin, and several common residues (alanine, isoleucine, leucine, and lysine) occurring in none of the family members. These protein-based reflectors in squids provide a striking example of nanofabrication in animal systems.