In this work we investigate the use of coiled-coil silk proteins, produced in recombinant Escherichia coli, as a new material for immobilizing biosensors. Myoglobin was embedded in transparent honeybee silk protein films. Immobilized myoglobin maintained a high affinity for nitric oxide (KD NO=52 µM) and good sensitivity with a limit of detection of 5 µM. The immobilized myoglobin-silk protein film was stable and could be stored as a dry film at room temperature for at least 60 days. The effect of immobilization on the structure of myoglobin was fully investigated using UV/visible, Fourier Transform Infrared and Raman spectroscopy, which indicated a weakening in the strength of the iron-histidine bond. This study demonstrates that recombinant coiled-coil silk proteins provide a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to sol-gels for stabilizing heme proteins for use as optical biosensors.
Keywords: Coiled-coil proteins; Heme proteins; Honeybee silk; Optical biosensors.
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