A novel biosensor for mercuric ions based on motor proteins

Martinez, R.; Kekic, Murat; Buljan, Vlado; Nicolau, Dan V.; dos Remedios, Cristobal G.
Referencia bibliográfica

BioMEMS and Nanotechnology. Edited by Nicolau, Dan V. Proceedings of the SPIE, Volume 5275, pp. 204-212 (2004).

Fecha de publicación:
3
2004
Número de autores
5
Número de autores del IAC
0
Número de citas
0
Número de citas referidas
0
Descripción
We explored the potential for use of the contractile proteins, actin and myosin, as biosensors of solutions containing mercury ions. We demonstrate that the reaction of HgCl2 with myosin rapidly inhibits actin-activated myosin ATPase activity. Mercuric ions inhibit the in vitro analog of contraction, namely the ATP-initiated superprecipitation of the reconstituted actomyosin complex. Hg reduces both the rate and extent of this reaction. Direct observation of the propulsive movement of actin filaments (10 nm in diameter and 1 μm long) in a motility assay driven by a proteolytic fragment of myosin (heavy meromyosin or HMM) is also inhibited by mercuric ions. Thus, we have demonstrated the biochemical, biophysical and nanotechnological basis of what may prove to be a useful nano-device.