Optical Tweezers Approaches for Probing Multiscale Protein Mechanics and Assembly

Kathrin Lehmann, Marjan Shayegan, Gerhard A. Blab, Nancy R. Forde*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Multi-step assembly of individual protein building blocks is key to the formation of essential higher-order structures inside and outside of cells. Optical tweezers is a technique well suited to investigate the mechanics and dynamics of these structures at a variety of size scales. In this mini-review, we highlight experiments that have used optical tweezers to investigate protein assembly and mechanics, with a focus on the extracellular matrix protein collagen. These examples demonstrate how optical tweezers can be used to study mechanics across length scales, ranging from the single-molecule level to fibrils to protein networks. We discuss challenges in experimental design and interpretation, opportunities for integration with other experimental modalities, and applications of optical tweezers to current questions in protein mechanics and assembly.

Original languageEnglish
Article number577314
Number of pages10
JournalFrontiers in Molecular Biosciences
Volume7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Oct 2020

Keywords

  • collagen
  • fibrillar proteins
  • microrheology
  • optical tweezers (OT)
  • protein assemblies
  • protein mechanics
  • protein structure/folding
  • single molecule

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