Issue 17, 2024

Exploring single-molecule interactions: heparin and FGF-1 proteins through solid-state nanopores

Abstract

Detection and characterization of protein–protein interactions are essential for many cellular processes, such as cell growth, tissue repair, drug delivery, and other physiological functions. In our research, we have utilized emerging solid-state nanopore sensing technology, which is highly sensitive to better understand heparin and fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) protein interactions at a single-molecule level without any modifications. Understanding the structure and behavior of heparin–FGF-1 complexes at the single-molecule level is very important. An abnormality in their formation can lead to life-threatening conditions like tumor growth, fibrosis, and neurological disorders. Using a controlled dielectric breakdown pore fabrication approach, we have characterized individual heparin and FGF-1 (one of the 22 known FGFs in humans) proteins through the fabrication of 17 ± 1 nm nanopores. Compared to heparin, the positively charged heparin-binding domains of some FGF-1 proteins translocationally react with the pore walls, giving rise to a distinguishable second peak with higher current blockade. Additionally, we have confirmed that the dynamic FGF-1 is stabilized upon binding with heparin–FGF-1 at the single-molecule level. The larger current blockades from the complexes relative to individual heparin and the FGF-1 recorded during the translocation ensure the binding of heparin–FGF-1 proteins, forming binding complexes with higher excluded volumes. Taken together, we demonstrate that solid-state nanopores can be employed to investigate the properties of individual proteins and their complex interactions, potentially paving the way for innovative medical therapies and advancements.

Graphical abstract: Exploring single-molecule interactions: heparin and FGF-1 proteins through solid-state nanopores

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Jan 2024
Accepted
17 Mar 2024
First published
19 Mar 2024

Nanoscale, 2024,16, 8352-8360

Exploring single-molecule interactions: heparin and FGF-1 proteins through solid-state nanopores

N. Thyashan, M. L. Ghimire, S. Lee and M. J. Kim, Nanoscale, 2024, 16, 8352 DOI: 10.1039/D4NR00274A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements