Motility of an autonomous protein-based artificial motor that operates via a burnt-bridge principle

Chapin S. Korosec (), Ivan N. Unksov, Pradheebha Surendiran, Roman Lyttleton, Paul M. G. Curmi, Christopher N. Angstmann, Ralf Eichhorn, Heiner Linke () and Nancy R. Forde ()
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Chapin S. Korosec: Simon Fraser University
Ivan N. Unksov: Lund University
Pradheebha Surendiran: Lund University
Roman Lyttleton: Lund University
Paul M. G. Curmi: University of New South Wales
Christopher N. Angstmann: University of New South Wales
Ralf Eichhorn: Nordita, Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University
Heiner Linke: Lund University
Nancy R. Forde: Simon Fraser University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Inspired by biology, great progress has been made in creating artificial molecular motors. However, the dream of harnessing proteins – the building blocks selected by nature – to design autonomous motors has so far remained elusive. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of the Lawnmower, an autonomous, protein-based artificial molecular motor comprised of a spherical hub decorated with proteases. Its “burnt-bridge” motion is directed by cleavage of a peptide lawn, promoting motion towards unvisited substrate. We find that Lawnmowers exhibit directional motion with average speeds of up to 80 nm/s, comparable to biological motors. By selectively patterning the peptide lawn on microfabricated tracks, we furthermore show that the Lawnmower is capable of track-guided motion. Our work opens an avenue towards nanotechnology applications of artificial protein motors.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45570-y

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