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Pomposo JA, Arena D, Verde-Sesto E, Maiz J, de Molina PM, Moreno AJ. Why Single-Chain Nanoparticles from Weak Polyelectrolytes Can Be Synthesized at Large Scale in Concentrated Solution? Macromol Rapid Commun 2024:e2400453. [PMID: 39012220 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Here, the unresolved question of why single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) prepared from a weak polyelectrolyte (PE) precursor can be synthesized on a large is addresses, unlike SCNPs obtained from an equivalent neutral (nonamphiphilic) polymer precursor. The combination of the standard elastic single-chain nanoparticles (ESN) model -developed for neutral chains- with the classical scaling theory of PE solutions provides the key. Essentially, the long-range repulsion between electrostatic blobs in a weak PE precursor restricts the cross-linking process during SCNPs formation to the interior of each blob. Consequently, the maximum concentration at which PE-SCNPs can be prepared without interchain cross-linking is not determined by the full size of the PE precursor but, instead, by the smaller size of its electrostatic blobs. Therefore, PE-SCNPs can be synthesized up to a critical concentration where electrostatic blobs from different chains touch each other. This concentration can be 30 times higher than that for non-PE polymer precursors. Upon progressive dilution, the size of PE-SCNPs synthesized in concentrated solution increases until it reaches the bigger size of PE-SCNPs prepared under highly diluted conditions. PE-SCNPs do not adopt a globular conformation either in concentrated or in diluted solution. It shows that the main model predictions agree with experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Pomposo
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center MPC, P Manuel Lardizabal 5, Donostia, E-20018, Spain
- Departamento de Polímeros y Materiales Avanzados: Física, Química y Tecnología. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Faculty of Chemistry, P Manuel Lardizabal 3, Donostia, E-20018, Spain
- IKERBASQUE-Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, Bilbao, E-48009, Spain
| | - Davide Arena
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center MPC, P Manuel Lardizabal 5, Donostia, E-20018, Spain
| | - Ester Verde-Sesto
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center MPC, P Manuel Lardizabal 5, Donostia, E-20018, Spain
- IKERBASQUE-Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, Bilbao, E-48009, Spain
| | - Jon Maiz
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center MPC, P Manuel Lardizabal 5, Donostia, E-20018, Spain
- IKERBASQUE-Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, Bilbao, E-48009, Spain
| | - Paula Malo de Molina
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center MPC, P Manuel Lardizabal 5, Donostia, E-20018, Spain
- IKERBASQUE-Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, Bilbao, E-48009, Spain
| | - Angel J Moreno
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC-UPV/EHU)-Materials Physics Center MPC, P Manuel Lardizabal 5, Donostia, E-20018, Spain
- Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), P Manuel Lardizabal 4, Donostia, E-20018, Spain
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Dykeman-Bermingham PA, Stingaciu LR, Do C, Knight AS. Dynamic Implications of Noncovalent Interactions in Amphiphilic Single-Chain Polymer Nanoparticles. ACS Macro Lett 2024; 13:889-895. [PMID: 38959296 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.4c00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Single-chain polymer nanoparticles (SCNPs) combine the chemical diversity of synthetic polymers with the intricate structure of biopolymers, generating versatile biomimetic materials. The mobility of polymer chain segments at length scales similar to secondary structural elements in proteins is critical to SCNP structure and thus function. However, the influence of noncovalent interactions used to form SCNPs (e.g., hydrogen-bonding and biomimetic secondary-like structure) on these conformational dynamics is challenging to quantitatively assess. To isolate the effects of noncovalent interactions on SCNP structure and conformational dynamics, we synthesized a series of amphiphilic copolymers containing dimethylacrylamide and monomers capable of forming these different interactions: (1) di(phenylalanine) acrylamide that forms intramolecular β-sheet-like cross-links, (2) phenylalanine acrylamide that forms hydrogen-bonds but lacks a defined local structure, and (3) benzyl acrylamide that has the lowest propensity for hydrogen-bonding. Each SCNP formed folded structures comparable to those of intrinsically disordered proteins, as observed by size exclusion chromatography and small angle neutron scattering. The dynamics of these polymers, as characterized by a combination of dynamic light scattering and neutron spin echo spectroscopy, was well described using the Zimm with internal friction (ZIF) model, highlighting the role of each noncovalent interaction to additively restrict the internal relaxations of SCNPs. These results demonstrate the utility of local scale interactions to control SCNP polymer dynamics, guiding the design of functional biomimetic materials with refined binding sites and tunable kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Dykeman-Bermingham
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Laura R Stingaciu
- NScD, SNS, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
| | - Changwoo Do
- NScD, SNS, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
| | - Abigail S Knight
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Qi C, Zhu YL, Zhao H, Lu ZY. Ultrasmall Single-Chain Nanoparticles Derived from Amphiphilic Alternating Copolymers. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024; 45:e2400087. [PMID: 38688322 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The collapse or folding of an individual polymer chain into a nanoscale particle gives rise to single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs), which share a soft nature with biological protein particles. The precise control of their properties, including morphology, internal structure, size, and deformability, are a long-standing and challenging pursuit. Herein, a new strategy based on amphiphilic alternating copolymers for producing SCNPs with ultrasmall size and uniform structure is presented. SCNPs are obtained by folding the designed alternating copolymer in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and fixing it through a photocatalyzed cycloaddition reaction of anthracene units. Molecular dynamics simulation confirms the solvophilic outer corona and solvophobic inner core structure of SCNPs. Furthermore, by adjusting the length of PEG units, precise control over the mean size of SCNPs is achieved within the range of 2.8 to 3.9 nm. These findings highlight a new synthetic strategy that enables enhanced control over morphology and internal structure while achieving ultrasmall and uniform size for SCNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chufeng Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - You-Liang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Huanyu Zhao
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2519 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Zhong-Yuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130012, China
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Dykeman-Bermingham PA, Bogen MP, Chittari SS, Grizzard SF, Knight AS. Tailoring Hierarchical Structure and Rare Earth Affinity of Compositionally Identical Polymers via Sequence Control. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:8607-8617. [PMID: 38470430 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Macromolecule sequence, structure, and function are inherently intertwined. While well-established relationships exist in proteins, they are more challenging to define for synthetic polymer nanoparticles due to their molecular weight, sequence, and conformational dispersities. To explore the impact of sequence on nanoparticle structure, we synthesized a set of 16 compositionally identical, sequence-controlled polymers with distinct monomer patterning of dimethyl acrylamide and a bioinspired, structure-driving di(phenylalanine) acrylamide (FF). Sequence control was achieved through multiblock polymerizations, yielding unique ensembles of polymer sequences which were simulated by kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. Systematic analysis of the global (tertiary- and quaternary-like) structure in this amphiphilic copolymer series revealed the effect of multiple sequence descriptors: the number of domains, the hydropathy of terminal domains, and the patchiness (density) of FF within a domain, each of which impacted both chain collapse and the distribution of single- and multichain assemblies. Furthermore, both the conformational freedom of chain segments and local-scale, β-sheet-like interactions were sensitive to the patchiness of FF. To connect sequence, structure, and target function, we evaluated an additional series of nine sequence-controlled copolymers as sequestrants for rare earth elements (REEs) by incorporating a functional acrylic acid monomer into select polymer scaffolds. We identified key sequence variables that influence the binding affinity, capacity, and selectivity of the polymers for REEs. Collectively, these results highlight the potential of and boundaries of sequence control via multiblock polymerizations to drive primary sequence ensembles hierarchical structures, and ultimately the functionality of compositionally identical polymeric materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Dykeman-Bermingham
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Matthew P Bogen
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Supraja S Chittari
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Savannah F Grizzard
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Abigail S Knight
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Sbordone F, Micallef A, Frisch H. pH-Controlled Reversible Folding of Copolymers via Formation of β-sheet Secondary Structures. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202319839. [PMID: 38205669 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202319839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Protein functions are enabled by their perfectly arranged 3D structure, which is the result of a hierarchical intramolecular folding process. Sequence-defined polypeptide chains form locally ordered secondary structures (i.e., α-helix and β-sheet) through hydrogen bonding between the backbone amides, shaping the overall tertiary structure. To generate similarly complex macromolecular architectures based on synthetic materials, a plethora of strategies have been developed to induce and control the folding of synthetic polymers. However, the degree of complexity of the structure-driving ensemble of interactions demonstrated by natural polymers is unreached, as synthesizing long sequence-defined polymers with functional backbones remains a challenge. Herein, we report the synthesis of hybrid peptide-N,N-Dimethylacrylamide copolymers via radical Ring-Opening Polymerization (rROP) of peptide containing macrocycles. The resulting synthetic polymers contain sequence-defined regions of β-sheet encoding amino acid sequences. Exploiting the pH responsiveness of the embedded sequences, protonation or deprotonation in water induces self-assembly of the peptide strands at an intramacromolecular level, driving polymer chain folding via formation of β-sheet secondary structures. We demonstrate that the folding behavior is sequence dependent and reversible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Sbordone
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Aaron Micallef
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Central Analytical Research Facility, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Hendrik Frisch
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
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Mundsinger K, Izuagbe A, Tuten BT, Roesky PW, Barner-Kowollik C. Single Chain Nanoparticles in Catalysis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202311734. [PMID: 37852937 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202311734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Over the last six decades folded polymer chains-so-called Single Chain Nanoparticles (SCNPs)-have evolved from the mere concept of intramolecularly crosslinked polymer chains to tailored nanoreactors, underpinned by a plethora of techniques and chemistries to tailor and analyze their morphology and function. These monomolecular polymer entities hold critical promise in a wide range of applications. Herein, we highlight the exciting progress that has been made in the field of catalytically active SCNPs in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Mundsinger
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 4000, Brisbane QLD, Australia
| | - Aidan Izuagbe
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 4000, Brisbane QLD, Australia
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Engesserstrasse15, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Bryan T Tuten
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 4000, Brisbane QLD, Australia
| | - Peter W Roesky
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Engesserstrasse15, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Christopher Barner-Kowollik
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 4000, Brisbane QLD, Australia
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz-1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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