Comparison of α-Helix and β-Sheet Structure Adaptation to a Quantum Dot Geometry: Toward the Identification of an Optimal Motif for a Protein Nanoparticle Cover

While quantum dots (QDs) are useful as fluorescent labels, their application in biosciences is limited due to the stability and hydrophobicity of their surface. In this study, we tested two types of proteins for use as a cover for spherical QDs, composed of cadmium selenide. Pumilio homology domain (Puf), which is mostly α-helical, and leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain, which is rich in β-sheets, were selected to determine if there is a...