Part:BBa_K638404

polyHis-ReflectinA1

This is our reflectin A1 biobrick with an N-terminal 6-His tag, with the ribosome binding site B0034.

The coding region is for the [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/FJ824804.1 Reflectin A1 protein], originally found in the mantle of squid Loligo pealeii. It has been codon optimised for E. coli. [http://2011.igem.org/Team:Cambridge Cambridge 2011] overexpressed it for purification using the his-tagged generator BBa_K638202 , and used it to produce brightly coloured responsive thin films. See our [http://2011.igem.org/Team:Cambridge/Project/Microscopy#/Media#Dynamic_Iridescence reflectin thin films] in action or read more about [http://2011.igem.org/Team:Cambridge/Project/Background the background to this protein].

Sequence and Features

Assembly Compatibility:

• 10
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[10]
• 12
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[12]
• 21
  INCOMPATIBLE WITH RFC[21]

  Illegal BamHI site found at 43
  
• 23
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[23]
• 25
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[25]
• 1000
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[1000]

Usage and Biology

In the squid this protein is believed to self assemble with membranes to form iridophore platelets - stacks of protein ultrastructure evenly spaced to form a Bragg stack. This creates living structural colour from thin film interference effects. In L. pealeii reflectins are phosphorylated, with [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19776150 changes in phosphorylation status correlating with changes in tissue colour]. Read more about [http://2011.igem.org/Team:Cambridge/Project/Background the background to this protein].

Safety

The protein coding sequence for reflectin originally came from cells of an edible squid. There have been no reported safety issues for reflectins, so we do not anticipate the need for extra precautions when using this BioBrick part. See our [http://2011.igem.org/Team:Cambridge/Safety safety page] for more information.