Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies and the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 93106, USA.
Biomaterials. 2010 Feb;31(5):793-801. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2009.10.038. Epub 2009 Nov 10.
Cephalopods are nicknamed the "masters of disguise" for their highly evolved camouflage mechanisms, including the hallmark ability to rapidly change the color and reflectance of their skin. Previously, reflectin proteins were identified as the major biomaterial component of iridosomes [1], specialized light-reflecting architectures that contribute intense structural color to squid skin, eyes, and organs [2-5]. Supramolecular assembly of reflectin has been recognized as a key property in the protein's function [6]. Here, we report the first cloning and expression of a specific reflectin protein found in the responsive iridophore cells of the squid Loligo pealeii, which are unique in their ability to switch on/off and change color. We demonstrate that these iridophores can be chemically tuned to reflect the entire visible spectrum. By examining recombinant reflectin, we show that this dynamic optical function is facilitated by the hierarchical assembly of nanoscale protein particles that elicit large volume changes upon condensation. These findings provide insight into the design and synthesis of biomaterials for complex, responsive function in optical applications.
头足类动物因其高度进化的伪装机制而被称为“伪装大师”,其中包括迅速改变皮肤颜色和反射率的标志性能力。此前,反射蛋白被确定为耳状小体[1]的主要生物材料成分,耳状小体是一种专门的光反射结构,为鱿鱼的皮肤、眼睛和器官[2-5]提供强烈的结构色。反射蛋白的超分子组装已被认为是其功能的关键特性[6]。在这里,我们报告了首次克隆和表达鱿鱼 Loligo pealeii 中响应性虹彩细胞中发现的一种特定反射蛋白,这些细胞具有独特的开关和变色能力。我们证明这些虹彩细胞可以通过化学方法调谐以反射整个可见光谱。通过检查重组反射蛋白,我们表明这种动态光学功能是由纳米级蛋白质颗粒的分层组装促成的,这些颗粒在凝聚时会引起大的体积变化。这些发现为复杂的、响应性的光学应用中的生物材料的设计和合成提供了思路。