Binding Group - Finding Novel Fabric Binding Peptides

Goals

To discover short peptide sequences that allow enzyme-degrading peptides to bind to fabrics in order to concentrate them and increase their activity.

Methods

Phage display, bioinformatic analysis, quantitative ELISA

Results

• Isolated XX short peptides that bind cotton, linen, wool, polyester or silk.
• Discovered sequence motifs
• Quantified binding constants of 7 peptides for 5 fabrics with quantitative ELISA.

BioBricks

• BioBrick 1
• BioBrick 2
• BioBrick 3

Abstract

In this sub-project we develop Fabric Binding Domains (FBDs), short peptide sequences capable of binding to fabric samples. Results from the Modeling Group suggest that the addition of an FBD with optimal affinity can concentrate an enzyme near the fabric surface and therefore increase stain-degrading enzymatic activity. Using the method of phage display, we isolated XX short peptides with affinity for cotton, linen, wool, polyester or silk. Bioinformatic analysis identified sequence motifs and biophysical features associated with binding to each fabric, or nonspecific binding to several fabrics. Seven peptides were selected for further analysis by quantitative ELISA, to determine their exact binding constant for each of the five fabrics. The peptides discovered by the Biding Group were passed to the Enzyme Group, where they were used to target GFP and stain-degrading enzymes to wine-stained fabric samples.

Binding domain group aims at finding novel peptides that can bind tightly and specifically to a particular fabric. We hope to improve the efficiency of enzymes tested
by the Enzymes search group by localizing and stabilizing the enzymes at the sites of action (fabric) by fusing the peptide sequences we find to those enzymes.
To achieve this goal we are using phage display technique.

Phage display describes a selection technique in which phages with genetic material encoding variants of peptide sequences express these peptides on the protein coat.
And based on the binding affinity of these peptides to a given target molecule by an in vitro selection process.

Therefore, the main focus of our group is to find novel peptide sequences that specifically bind to different fabrics.
Later, collaborate with other groups to optimize the efficiency of the potential enzymes they find on wine stained fabrics using our peptide sequences.