Triggered reversible disassembly of an engineered protein nanocage

Protein nanocages play crucial roles in sub-cellular compartmentalization and spatial control all domains of life have been used as biomolecular tools for applications biocatalysis, drug delivery, bionanotechnology. The ability to their assembly state under physiological conditions would further expand practical utility. To gain such control, we introduced a peptide capable triggering conformational change at key structural position the largest known encapsulin nanocompartment. We report structure resulting engineered nanocage demonstrate its disassemble reassemble on demand conditions. capacity vivo encapsulation proteins choice while also demonstrating vitro cargo loading capabilities. Our results represent functionally robust addition toolbox novel approach controlling protein disassembly reassembly mild