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Team:Wageningen UR/InsideModification ProjectOverview
From 2012.igem.org
Inside Modification
Since virus-like particles (VLPs) lack genetic content, they enclose an empty space. This space can be filled with proteins such as antibiotics, hormones, and all sorts of farmaceuticals. Modifications on the inside of the VLPs can increase binding affinity to the loaded substance. One of the modifications we pursue is adding a coil to the protein subunits at any location that is exposed on the inside of the VLP. In our case, this is a fusion to either the N-terminal or the C-terminal. The coils will facilitate strong attachment to the substance which carries the opposite coil.
Another way to open up more options for loading our VLPs, is to make a change in the interior's charge. Normally, the interior of a VLP is positively charged, facilitating interaction with negatively charged DNA/RNA molecules. By changing the amino acid sequence that is located on the interior of a VLP, the positive charge can be changed into a negative charge. A VLP with a negatively charged interior can be loaded with all sorts of positively charged molecules, such as polymeres, metals, etc.
