A novel biosensor for mercuric ions based on motor proteins

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

doi:10.1117/12.548363

29 March 2004 A novel biosensor for mercuric ions based on motor proteins

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

Proceedings Volume 5275, BioMEMS and Nanotechnology; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.548363
Event: Microelectronics, MEMS, and Nanotechnology, 2003, Perth, Australia

Abstract

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.

Citation Download Citation

R. Martinez, Murat Kekic, Vlado Buljan, Dan V. Nicolau, and Cristobal G. dos Remedios "A novel biosensor for mercuric ions based on motor proteins", Proc. SPIE 5275, BioMEMS and Nanotechnology, (29 March 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.548363

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