Genetically Engineered Liposwitch-Based Nanomaterials

Abstract

Fusion of intrinsically disordered and globular proteins is a powerful strategy to create functional nanomaterials. However, the immutable nature of genetic encoding restricts the dynamic adaptability of nanostructures postexpression. To address this, we envisioned using a myristoyl switch, a protein that combines allostery and post-translational modifications�two strategies that modify protein properties without altering their sequence�to regulate intrinsically disordered protein (IDP)-driven nanoassembly. A typical myristoyl switch, allosterically activated by a stimulus, reveals a sequestered lipid for membrane association. We hypothesize that this conditional exposure of lipids can regulate the assembly of fusion proteins, a concept we term "liposwitching". We tested this by fusing recoverin, a calcium-dependent myristoyl switch, with elastin-like polypeptide, a thermoresponsive model IDP. Biophysical analyses confirmed recoverin's myristoyl-switch functionality, while dynamic light scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy showed distinct calcium-and lipidation-dependent phase separation and assembly. This study highlights liposwitching as a viable strategy for controlling DP-driven nanoassembly, enabling applications in synthetic biology and cellular engineering.