Microtubules, which are a type of cytoskeleton, are tubular aggregates with an inner diameter of about 15 nm composed of tubulin proteins.The length of microtubules ranges from several μm to several tens of μm, and their formation and dissociation are controlled by the binding of GTP and GDP of nucleotides.It also functions as a rail for motor proteins to move.Due to its unique properties, many nanomaterials using microtubules have been developed, and although molecular modification to the outside of microtubules has been actively performed, there has been no material development focusing on the internal space. rice field.

　The research group designed and synthesized the site of "Tau protein," which is a type of microtubule-associated protein, that is presumed to bind to the inside of microtubules as a "microtubule-associated peptide." When four types of peptides were synthesized and their binding to microtubules was evaluated, it became clear that one of them binds to the inside of microtubules.Furthermore, by modifying this peptide to gold nanoparticles, we succeeded in encapsulating gold nanoparticles in microtubules.

　Inspired by cheese chikuwa, we have succeeded in encapsulating molecules by developing a peptide that binds to microtubules, which are protein aggregates in the shape of chikuwa, inside the microtubules.By using this method, it becomes possible to enclose various nanometer-sized molecules in microtubules, and new developments in nanomaterials using microtubules are expected.

Paper information:[Chemistry – A European Journal] Molecular Encapsulation Inside Microtubules Based on Tau-Derived Peptides