Self-assembling protein arrays on DNA chips by auto-labeling fusion proteins with a single DNA address.

The high-throughput deposition of recombinant proteins on chips, beads or biosensor devices would be greatly facilitated by the implementation of self-assembly concepts. DNA-directed immobilization via conjugation of proteins to an oligonucleotide would be preeminently suited for this purpose. Here, we present a unique method to attach a single DNA address to proteins in one step during the purification from the E. coli lysate by fusion to human O6-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase (SNAP-tag) and the Avitag. Use of the conjugates in converting a DNA chip into a protein chip by self assembly is demonstrated.