Production and electrical characterization of the reflectin A2 isoform from Doryteuthis (Loligo) pealeii. Issue 62 (15th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ordinario, David D.; Phan, Long; Walkup IV, Ward G.; Van Dyke, Yegor; Leung, Erica M.; Nguyen, Michael; Smith, Amanda G.; Kerr, Justin; Naeim, Mahan; Kymissis, Ioannis; Gorodetsky, Alon A.
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 6:Issue 62(2016)
• Page Start: 57103
• Page End: 57107
• Publication Date: 2016-06-15
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ra05405f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : ​We report an improved methodology for the production of cephalopod proteins known as reflectins. Our findings may afford new opportunities for the study of these proteins' multifaceted materials properties. Abstract : Cephalopods have recently emerged as a source of inspiration for the development of novel functional materials. Within this context, a number of studies have explored structural proteins known as reflectins, which play a key role in cephalopod adaptive coloration in vivo and exhibit interesting properties in vitro . Herein, we report an improved high-yield strategy for the preparation and isolation of reflectins in quantities sufficient for materials applications. We first select the Doryteuthis (Loligo) pealeii reflectin A2 (RfA2) isoform as a "model" system and validate our approach for the expression and purification of this protein. We in turn fabricate RfA2-based two-terminal devices and employ both direct and alternating current measurements to demonstrate that RfA2 films conduct protons. Our findings underscore the potential of reflectins as functional materials and may allow a wider range of researchers to investigate their properties.