Making synthetic proteins is a promising research avenue, but can nature’s blueprint be shortcutted to create more efficient versions? We’ve discovered that a simple combination can be a protein replacement that works just like the real thing, and in some cases even better than the real thing.
There are hundreds of amino acids, but natural selection has chosen 20 that are found in all life on earth. This core set is combined into hundreds of thousands of different variations to create every protein in the body.
In recent years, scientists have experimented with creating engineered proteins, making progress toward treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and malaria. It’s made by trying to replicate structures and recipes, but is that really the most efficient way?
In a study from the University of California, Berkeley, scientists investigated a much simpler synthetic alternative. First, we trained an AI system on a database of approximately 60,000 natural proteins. AI then figures out how to recreate specific properties and functions of proteins from a handful of “building blocks” (monomers used in plastics today).
Instead of using all 20 amino acids found in the natural protein, the researchers hope that the AI will select the appropriate number, type, and arrangement of monomers to create as few as 2, 4, or 6 building blocks. I discovered that I could recreate a working protein using They called the protein substitutes random heteropolymers (RHPs).
In one experiment, researchers created artificial plasma using a RHP specifically designed to dissolve and stabilize natural protein biomarkers in the blood. This liquid could improve the natural ones by not only allowing them to be stored without refrigeration, but also allowing the proteins to withstand higher temperatures.
While the shortcut may sound like a crappy product, the researchers say it’s a technology that removes the inert “junk” that’s built up in proteins after billions of years of trial and error. increase.
“Nature doesn’t often do the bottom-up design for molecular precision that we do in the lab,” said Ting Xu, lead author of the study. “Nature needs flexibility to get where it’s supposed to be. Nature doesn’t want to study the structure of this virus and create antigens to attack it. Let it manifest and from there choose what works.”
Importantly, the engineered plastic RHP works in tandem with biological systems without causing problems. In another test, the researchers created an artificial cytosol, the intracellular fluid, and found that naturally occurring protein-producing ribosomes continued to function normally even in the artificial fluid.
“Basically, all the data show that we can use this design framework, this philosophy, to generate polymers to the point where we don’t recognize whether a biological system is a polymer or a protein.” Mr Xu said. “We basically fool biology. The whole idea is that if you actually design and inject plastics as part of an ecosystem, they should behave like proteins.” If your protein is like, ‘Okay, you’re part of us,’ then that’s fine.”
There is still much work to be done, but the team says RHP could ultimately help create more biocompatible materials, such as implants and better drug delivery systems.
A study was published in a journal Nature.
Source: University of California, Berkeley
