Secretion of metal-binding proteins by a newly discovered OsmY homolog in Cupriavidus metallidurans for the biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study, a well-characterized carrier, osmotically-inducible protein Y (OsmY), was employed in conjunction with a newly discovered protein homolog of Cupriavidus metallidurans for use in protein secretion. Rmet_4872 and Rmet_3428 were identified as possible homologs of OsmY based on sequence/feature identities. RFP fluorescence and immunoblotting analyses were used to identify and quantify the secretion of fusion proteins. Two metal-binding proteins were used to demonstrate the applications of protein secretion in biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles. Our study highlights the potential of applying protein secretion to mediate the reduction of metal ions.