The Role of Lysozyme in the Formation of Bioinspired Silicon Dioxide

Chemistry. 2024 May 9:e202401249. doi: 10.1002/chem.202401249. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTSeveral organisms are able to polycondensate tetraoxosilicic(IV) acid to form silicon (IV) dioxide using polycationic molecules. According to an earlier mechanistic proposal, these molecules undergo a phase-separation and recent experimental evidence appears to confirm this model. At the same time, polycationic proteins like lysozyme can also promote polycondensation of silicon (IV) dioxide, and they do so under conditions that are not compatible with liquid-liquid phase separation. In this manuscript we investigate this conundrum by molecular simulations. Several organisms are able to polycondensate tetraoxosilicic(IV) acid to form silicon (IV) dioxide using polycationic molecules. According to an earlier mechanistic proposal, these molecules undergo a phase-separation and recent experimental evidence appears to confirm this model. At the same time, polycationic proteins like lysozyme can also promote polycondensation of silicon (IV) dioxide, and they do so under conditions that are not compatible with liquid-liquid phase separation. In this manuscript we investigate this conundrum by molecular simulations.PMID:38722210 | DOI:10.1002/chem.202401249

Source: Chemistry - May 9, 2024 Category: Chemistry Authors: Marina Macchiagodena Marco Fragai Angelo Gallo Marco Pagliai Enrico Ravera Source Type: research