1 research outputs found
κ‑Casein-Based Hierarchical Suprastructures and Their Use for Selective Temporal and Spatial Control over Neuronal Differentiation
Functions are diversified by producing hierarchical structures
from a single raw material. Biologically compatible milk protein of
κ-casein has been employed to fabricate higher-order suprastructures.
In the presence of dithiothreitol and heat treatment, κ-casein
transforms into amyloid fibrils with distinctive morphology attributable
to mechanism-based fibrillar polymorphism. As the fibrils elongate
to yield high aspect ratio during high-temperature incubation, the
resulting fibrils laterally associate into the liquid crystalline
state by forming a two-dimensional fibrillar array. Following a desalting
process, the fibrillar arrays turn into a three-dimensional matrix
of hydrogel that could be selectively disintegrated by subsequent
salt treatment. The hydrogel was demonstrated to be a matrix capable
of exhibiting controlled release of bioactive substances like retinoic
acid, which led to temporal and spatial control over the differentiation
of neuronal cells. Therefore, the hierarchical suprastructure formation
derived from the single protein of κ-casein producing one-dimensional
protein nanofibrils, a two-dimensional liquid crystalline state and
a three-dimensional hydrogel could be widely appreciated in various
areas of nanobiotechnology including drug delivery and tissue engineering