Programmable assembly of 2D crystalline protein arrays into covalently stacked 3D bionanomaterials

Abstract

Rational embellishment of self-assembling two-dimensional (2D) proteins make it possible to build 3D nanomaterials with novel catalytic, optoelectronic and mechanical properties. However, introducing multiple sites of embellishment into 2D protein arrays without affecting the self-assembly is challenging, limiting the ability to program in additional functionality and new 3D configurations. Here we introduce two orthogonal covalent linkages at multiple sites in a 2D crystalline-forming protein without affecting its self-assembly. We first engineered the surface-layer protein SbsB from Geobacillus stearothermophilus pV72/p2 to display isopeptide bond-forming protein conjugation pairs, SpyTag or SnoopTag, at four positions spaced 5.7-10.5 nm apart laterally and 3 nm axially. The C-terminal and two newly-identified locations within SbsB monomer accommodated the short SpyTag or SnoopTag peptide tags without affecting the 2D lattice structure. Introducing tags at distinct locations enabled orthogonal and covalent binding of SpyCatcher- or SnoopCatcher-protein fusions to micron-sized 2D nanosheets. By introducing different types of bifunctional cross-linkers, the dual-functionalized nanosheets were programmed to self-assemble into different 3D stacks, all of which retain their nanoscale order. Thus, our work creates a modular protein platform that is easy to program to create dual-functionalized 2D and lamellar 3D nanomaterials with new catalytic, optoelectronic, and mechanical properties.