Navigation Links
Protein 'nanosprings' most resilient found in nature

A component of many proteins has been found to constitute one of the most powerful and resilient molecular "springs" in nature, researchers have discovered. The engineers and biologists from Duke University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute say their discovery could lead to a new understanding of mechanical processes within the living cell. The discovery also could provide potent nanoscale "shock absorbers" or "gate-opening springs" in tiny nanomachines.

The team's findings were published in an advanced online publication of Nature on Jan. 15, 2006.

The finding that the protein components, called "ankyrin repeats," exhibit such unprecedented elastic properties could lead to a new understanding of how organisms, including humans, sense and respond to physical forces at the cellular level, the researchers said. The nanometer-sized springs are also ideal candidates for building biologically-inspired springy nanostructures and nanomaterials with an inherent ability to self-repair, they reported. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter.

"Whereas other known proteins can act like floppy springs, ankyrin molecules behave more like steel," said Piotr Marszalek, professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at the Duke Pratt School of Engineering. "After repeated stretching, the molecules immediately refold themselves, retaining their shape and strength."

"The fully extended molecules not only bounce back to their original shape in real time, but they also generate force in the process of this rapid refolding ?something that had never been seen before," added HHMI investigator Vann Bennett, professor of cell biology at Duke University Medical Center. "It's the equivalent of un-boiling an egg."

Marszalek and Bennett are participants in the Duke University Center for Biologically Inspired Materials and Material Systems. The research was supported by Duke University and the National Science Foundation.

Ankyrin
'"/>

Source:Duke University


Page: 1 2 3 4

Related biology news :

1. Quantum Dots Research Leads to New Knowledge about Protein Binding in Plants
2. Protein discovery could unlock the secret to better TB treatment
3. Researchers Uncover Key Step In Manufacture of Memory Protein
4. An HIV Protein Plays a Surprising Role in Gene Activation
5. Protein Packages Found To Activate Genes; May Be What Regulates Development And Disease
6. New SARS Protein Linked To Important Cell Doorway
7. The Shapes Of Life: NIGMS Project Yields More Than 1,000 Protein Structures
8. PANTHER Protein Classification System Database 5.0
9. Duke Chemists Isolating Individual Molecules Of Toxic Protein In Alzheimers, Parkinsons Disease
10. Newly Discovered Compound Blocks Known Cancer-Causing Protein
11. UF Researchers Map Bacterial Proteins That Cause Tooth Loss
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Protein nanosprings most resilient found nature

(Date:5/16/2013)... 16, 2013 The relationship between the heritable ... not been clear. Schizophrenia is commonly associated with ... are clues that reduced IQ may be linked ... reduced cognitive ability may precede the onset of ... in healthy relatives of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... that are about 23 million years old give ... gobioid order, one of the most species-rich groups ... by paleontologist Professor Bettina Reichenbacher from the Division ... Earth and Environmental Sciences at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in ... of fish fossils which they assign to the ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... in Cameroon and the manager of San Diego Zoo ... prestigious Whitley award. The Whitley award is an ... because it celebrates the extraordinary achievements of some of ... Abwe was selected for the award due to his ... and its wildlife inhabitants., HRH The Princess Royal, the ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Genetic risk for schizophrenia is connected to reduced IQ 2Paleontology: The eloquence of the otoliths 2Paleontology: The eloquence of the otoliths 3Cameroon researcher wins prestigious 'Green Oscar' 2Cameroon researcher wins prestigious 'Green Oscar' 3
... is drawn tighter as a new research published online ... study shows that what your mother ate when she ... altering the function of genes (epigenetic changes) that regulate ... a high-fat diet altered the function of fetal genes ...
... This October more than 60 guides and anglers in the ... the Marquesas, assisting in the annual bonefish census. This year,s ... down by 25-percent from an 8-year mean estimate of 316,805 ... to Professor Jerry Ault, a fisheries scientist with the University ...
... resonance imaging (MRI), a medical imaging technology used to image ... the efficiency of jet engines, according to Lt. Colonel Michael ... In only a few hours, an MRI collects ... methods that take two or more years of intensive measurement. ...
Cached Biology News:New sleep cycle discovery explains why fatty diets during pregnancy make kids obese 2Fall bonefish census sounds warning bell that warrants careful future monitoring 2Jet engine too hot? Schedule an MRI! 2Jet engine too hot? Schedule an MRI! 3
(Date:5/17/2013)... 2013 Rust removal is one of home ... items could be damaged. To help rust contractors make it ... no-scrubbing rust remover it called Rusterizer. It announced ... 10% discount. , My Cleaning Products explained that rust could ... by staining them. The first one, it said, happens ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... ISPE announced today ... to the newly created position of Vice President ... will be responsible for stimulating ISPE’s revenue growth ... the Society’s Member-led and staff-driven business model, initiating ... organizational, membership and product marketing. , “Barbara joins ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... Cambridge Healthtech Institute will host its ... at the Renaissance Waterfront Hotel in Boston, MA. ... look at the current strategies and innovations for optimizing ... Leaders in the field will reveal how their work ... greater specificity and efficiency. , “In this age of ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... -- Scientists at the Center for Learning and Memory, ... California -based biopharmaceutical company Magceutics, Inc. ... reversing memory decline in mice with Alzheimer,s Disease. By ... in advanced stage AD mice. The study is the ... for advanced stage AD mice, and is also the ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Organic-Based Rust Remover Cuts Down Price by 10%, My Cleaning Products Details Mechanics How to Get the Discount 2ISPE Names Barbara A. Myers, CAE, as Vice President of Professional Development 2The 2013 Bioprocessing Summit to Bring Together International Leaders to Discuss Today's Bioprocess Issues From Cell Line Selection to Manufacturing in Boston, MA 2Elevation of Brain Magnesium Reverses Memory Deficits in Alzheimer Mice 2Elevation of Brain Magnesium Reverses Memory Deficits in Alzheimer Mice 3
... March 11, 2011 Apexigen, Inc., an emerging biopharmaceutical ... announced today that its partner, Simcere Pharmaceutical Group (NYSE: ... China, filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with ... to evaluate APX003 (also known as BD0801) as a ...
... dreaming of mobile devices that run longer on lighter, ... granted. University of Illinois engineers have developed a ... uses 100 times less energy than similar available memory. ... battery life between charges. Led by electrical and ...
... Technology, Inc. (“ACT”; OTC Bulletin Board: ACTC ... announced today that the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products ... a positive opinion of ACT,s human embryonic stem cell ... an orphan medicinal product for the treatment of Stargardt,s ...
Cached Biology Technology:Apexigen Announces the Filing by its Partner, Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, of First IND 2New technology would dramatically extend battery life for mobile devices 2New technology would dramatically extend battery life for mobile devices 3ACT Receives Positive Opinion for Orphan Drug Designation from European Medicines Agency for hESC-Derived RPE Cells for Treatment of Stargardt's Disease 2ACT Receives Positive Opinion for Orphan Drug Designation from European Medicines Agency for hESC-Derived RPE Cells for Treatment of Stargardt's Disease 3
Mouse HAI-1 Ectodomain MAb (Clone 199732)...
pETDuet-1 is designed for the coexpression of two target genes....
Human IL-29/IFN-lambda 1 Biotinylated Affinity Purified PAb...
Mouse Laminin-1 MAb (Clone AL-3)...
Biology Products: