All linear double-stranded (ds) DNA viruses package their genome into a preformed procapsid via an ATP-driving motor. The central component of the phi29 DNA-packaging motor is the portal connector composed of twelve copies of the protein gp10, which form a dodecamer channel that acts as a pathway for the translocation of dsDNA. With a diameter of 3.6 nm at its narrowest end, it is one of the largest among typical channel proteins that have been incorporated into lipid membranes. Explicit engineering and pore modifications of the phi29 connector are possible due to its available crystal structure, thus inspiring the use of such a system as a module in biomedical applications or nanodevices. The short-term objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the utility of the lipid-embedded channel of the phi29 DNA packaging motor as a highly sensitive device for capture and fingerprinting of chemicals and biopolymers in real time at single molecule resolution using electrophysiological assays. The connector will be reengineered for added functionality and various approaches will be undertaken to modulate the dimensions of the pore. Alteration of the charge distributions will be made by mutagenesis in a controlled fashion to ensure optimal sensing. The channel will be designed to act as a stochastic biosensor and functionalized with recognition groups to bind various analytes of interest. Methods to increase the stability and lifetime of the lipid/connector complex will be developed to facilitate high throughput electrophysiological measurement of a single pore with provisions for rapid and efficient sample and buffer exchange. The long-term objective is to develop the channel into a robust sensing device for detecting biomolecules or chemicals at extremely low concentrations in the presence of many contaminants for a wide range of applications in biotechnology, earlier disease diagnosis, environmental surveillance, custom quarantine, drug testing and national security.

Public Health Relevance

The membrane embedded nanopore of bacteriophage phi29 biomotor will be reengineered, characterized and developed into a single pore sensor for detection of biomolecules and chemicals. The combination of capture and fingerprinting with multiple identification parameters for single molecule detection in real time will make the system highly sensitive to detect molecules at extremely low concentrations in the presence of many contaminants.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EB012135-05
Application #
8640178
Study Section
Nanotechnology Study Section (NANO)
Program Officer
Korte, Brenda
Project Start
2011-04-01
Project End
2015-03-31
Budget Start
2014-04-01
Budget End
2015-03-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$318,541
Indirect Cost
$100,291
Name
University of Kentucky
Department
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
939017877
City
Lexington
State
KY
Country
United States
Zip Code
40506
Ji, Zhouxiang; Kang, Xinqi; Wang, Shaoying et al. (2018) Nano-channel of viral DNA packaging motor as single pore to differentiate peptides with single amino acid difference. Biomaterials 182:227-233
Haque, Farzin; Zhang, Hui; Wang, Shaoying et al. (2018) Methods for Single-Molecule Sensing and Detection Using Bacteriophage Phi29 DNA Packaging Motor. Methods Mol Biol 1805:423-450
Wang, Shaoying; Zhao, Zhengyi; Haque, Farzin et al. (2018) Engineering of protein nanopores for sequencing, chemical or protein sensing and disease diagnosis. Curr Opin Biotechnol 51:80-89
Zhao, Zhengyi; Zhang, Hui; Shu, Dan et al. (2017) Construction of Asymmetrical Hexameric Biomimetic Motors with Continuous Single-Directional Motion by Sequential Coordination. Small 13:
Haque, Farzin; Wang, Shaoying; Wu, Taoxiang et al. (2017) Advances in nanopore sensing promises to transform healthcare. Nanomedicine (Lond) 12:1907-1909
Wang, Shaoying; Zhou, Zhi; Zhao, Zhengyi et al. (2017) Channel of viral DNA packaging motor for real time kinetic analysis of peptide oxidation states. Biomaterials 126:10-17
Wang, Shaoying; Ji, Zhouxiang; Yan, Erfu et al. (2017) Three-step channel conformational changes common to DNA packaging motors of bacterial viruses T3, T4, SPP1, and Phi29. Virology 500:285-291
Pi, Fengmei; Zhao, Zhengyi; Chelikani, Venkata et al. (2016) Development of Potent Antiviral Drugs Inspired by Viral Hexameric DNA-Packaging Motors with Revolving Mechanism. J Virol 90:8036-46
Ji, Zhouxiang; Wang, Shaoying; Zhao, Zhengyi et al. (2016) Fingerprinting of Peptides with a Large Channel of Bacteriophage Phi29 DNA Packaging Motor. Small 12:4572-8
Pi, Fengmei; Vieweger, Mario; Zhao, Zhengyi et al. (2016) Discovery of a new method for potent drug development using power function of stoichiometry of homomeric biocomplexes or biological nanomotors. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 13:23-36

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