A streptavidin variant with slower biotin dissociation and increased mechanostability

Streptavidin binds biotin-conjugates with exceptional stability, but dissociation does occur and can be limiting in imaging, DNA amplification, and nanotechnology. We identified a mutant streptavidin, which we call traptavidin, showing ~10-fold slower biotin off-rate, increased mechanical strength, and improved thermostability; this resilience should find diverse applications. We show that the motor protein FtsK could strip proteins from DNA, rapidly displacing streptavidin from biotinylated DNA; traptavidin resisted displacement and thus indicated the force generated by FtsK translocation.