Giant capsids from lattice self-assembly of cyclodextrin complexes

Shenyu Yang, Yun Yan, Jianbin Huang, Andrei V. Petukhov, Loes M. J. Kroon-Batenburg, Markus Drechsler, Chengcheng Zhou, Mei Tu, Steve Granick and Lingxiang Jiang ()
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Shenyu Yang: College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University
Yun Yan: Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University
Jianbin Huang: Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University
Andrei V. Petukhov: Van’t Hoff Laboratory for Physical and Colloid Chemistry, Debye Institute for Nano Materials Science, Utrecht University
Loes M. J. Kroon-Batenburg: Crystal and Structural Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University
Markus Drechsler: Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI)—Laboratory for Soft-Matter Electron Microscopy, University of Bayreuth
Chengcheng Zhou: Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University
Mei Tu: College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University
Steve Granick: Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS)
Lingxiang Jiang: College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Proteins can readily assemble into rigid, crystalline and functional structures such as viral capsids and bacterial compartments. Despite ongoing advances, it is still a fundamental challenge to design and synthesize protein-mimetic molecules to form crystalline structures. Here we report the lattice self-assembly of cyclodextrin complexes into a variety of capsid-like structures such as lamellae, helical tubes and hollow rhombic dodecahedra. The dodecahedral morphology has not hitherto been observed in self-assembly systems. The tubes can spontaneously encapsulate colloidal particles and liposomes. The dodecahedra and tubes are respectively comparable to and much larger than the largest known virus. In particular, the resemblance to protein assemblies is not limited to morphology but extends to structural rigidity and crystallinity—a well-defined, 2D rhombic lattice of molecular arrangement is strikingly universal for all the observed structures. We propose a simple design rule for the current lattice self-assembly, potentially opening doors for new protein-mimetic materials.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15856

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