Extremely elastic proteins

The ultimate properties of proteins with respect to their ability to be force-reactive, are coarsely described by their capacity to withstand or transmit sensed force. Some proteins are able to be extremely elastic, storing potential energy and releasing it in the form of kinetic energy. One of the proteins sharing this functionality is Cnidoin, an intrinsically disordered protein that composes the nematocysts, explosive organelles of metazoans useful for self-defense and preying. By sensing the behaviour of the protein upon the application of external forces, molecular dynamics simulations interfaced to experiments will provide an understanding of the relations between the sequence of Cnidoin and its ability to appear as extremely elastic and fulfil its function. Ultimately, such an understanding will, on one side, provide the mechanism of nematocysts’ discharge and, on the other, will open new scenarios about the possibility of employing cnidoin’s elasticity for the development of new materials.