Hyperthermostable recombinant human heteropolymer ferritin derived from a novel plasmid design

Mammalian ferritins are predominantly heteropolymeric species consisting of 2 structurally similar, but functionally and genetically distinct subunit types, called H (Heavy) and L (Light). The two subunits co‐assemble in different H and L ratios to form 24‐mer shell‐like protein nanocages where thousands of iron atoms can be mineralized inside a hollow cavity. Here, we use differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to study ferritin stability and understand how various combinations of H and L subunits confer aspects of protein structure–function relationships. Using a recently engineered plasmid design that enables the synthesis of complex ferritin nanostructures with specific H to L subunit ratios, we show that homopolymer L and heteropolymer L‐rich ferritins have a remarkable hyperthermostability (Tm = 115 ± 1°C) compared to their H‐ferritin homologues (Tm = 93 ± 1°C). Our data reveal a significant linear correlation between protein thermal stability and the number of L subunits present on the ferritin shell. A strong and unexpected iron‐induced protein thermal destabilization effect (ΔTm up to 20°C) is observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of recombinant human homo‐ and hetero‐polymer ferritins that exhibit surprisingly high dissociation temperatures, the highest among all known ferritin species, including many known hyperthermophilic proteins and enzymes. This extreme thermostability of our L and L‐rich ferritins may have great potential for biotechnological applications.