1
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Mathieu‐Gaedke M, Böker A, Glebe U. How to Characterize the Protein Structure and Polymer Conformation in Protein‐Polymer Conjugates – a Perspective. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.202200353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mathieu‐Gaedke
- Chair of Polymer Materials and Polymer Technologies Institute of Chemistry University of Potsdam Karl‐Liebknecht‐Str. 24–25 14476 Potsdam‐Golm Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP Geiselbergstr. 69 14476 Potsdam‐Golm Germany
| | - Alexander Böker
- Chair of Polymer Materials and Polymer Technologies Institute of Chemistry University of Potsdam Karl‐Liebknecht‐Str. 24–25 14476 Potsdam‐Golm Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP Geiselbergstr. 69 14476 Potsdam‐Golm Germany
| | - Ulrich Glebe
- Chair of Polymer Materials and Polymer Technologies Institute of Chemistry University of Potsdam Karl‐Liebknecht‐Str. 24–25 14476 Potsdam‐Golm Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP Geiselbergstr. 69 14476 Potsdam‐Golm Germany
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2
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Bertuzzi DL, Morris MA, Braga CB, Olsen BD, Ornelas C. Synthesis of a Series of Folate-Terminated Dendrimer- b-PNIPAM Diblock Copolymers: Soft Nanoelements That Self-Assemble into Thermo- and pH-Responsive Spherical Nanocompounds. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Diego L. Bertuzzi
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas - Unicamp, Campinas, 13083-861 São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Melody A. Morris
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Carolyne B. Braga
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas - Unicamp, Campinas, 13083-861 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bradley D. Olsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Catia Ornelas
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas - Unicamp, Campinas, 13083-861 São Paulo, Brazil
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3
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Naskalska A, Borzęcka-Solarz K, Różycki J, Stupka I, Bochenek M, Pyza E, Heddle JG. Artificial Protein Cage Delivers Active Protein Cargos to the Cell Interior. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:4146-4154. [PMID: 34499838 PMCID: PMC8512669 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
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Artificial protein
cages have potential as programmable, protective
carriers of fragile macromolecules to cells. While natural cages and
VLPs have been extensively exploited, the use of artificial cages
to deliver active proteins to cells has not yet been shown. TRAP-cage
is an artificial protein cage with an unusual geometry and extremely
high stability, which can be triggered to break apart in the presence
of cellular reducing agents. Here, we demonstrate that TRAP-cage can
be filled with a protein cargo and decorated with a cell-penetrating
peptide, allowing it to enter cells. Tracking of both the TRAP-cage
and the cargo shows that the protein of interest can be successfully
delivered intracellularly in the active form. These results provide
a valuable proof of concept for the further development of TRAP-cage
as a delivery platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonina Naskalska
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Jan Różycki
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Izabela Stupka
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.,Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Bochenek
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Pyza
- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Jonathan G Heddle
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
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4
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Zervoudis NA, Obermeyer AC. The effects of protein charge patterning on complex coacervation. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:6637-6645. [PMID: 34151335 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00543j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The complex coacervation of proteins with other macromolecules has applications in protein encapsulation and delivery and for determining the function of cellular coacervates. Theoretical or empirical predictions for protein coacervates would enable the design of these coacervates with tunable and predictable structure-function relationships; unfortunately, no such theories exist. To help establish predictive models, the impact of protein-specific parameters on complex coacervation were probed in this study. The complex coacervation of sequence-specific, polypeptide-tagged, GFP variants and a strong synthetic polyelectrolyte was used to evaluate the effects of protein charge patterning on phase behavior. Phase portraits for the protein coacervates demonstrated that charge patterning dictates the protein's binodal phase boundary. Protein concentrations over 100 mg mL-1 were achieved in the coacervate phase, with concentrations dependent on the tag polypeptide sequence covalently attached to the globular protein domain. In addition to shifting the binodal phase boundary, polypeptide charge patterning provided entropic advantages over isotropically patterned proteins. Together, these results show that modest changes of only a few amino acids in the tag polypeptide sequence alter the coacervation thermodynamics and can be used to tune the phase behavior of polypeptides or proteins of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A Zervoudis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Allie C Obermeyer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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5
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Stevens CA, Kaur K, Klok HA. Self-assembly of protein-polymer conjugates for drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 174:447-460. [PMID: 33984408 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein-polymer conjugates are a class of molecules that combine the stability of polymers with the diversity, specificity, and functionality of biomolecules. These bioconjugates can result in hybrid materials that display properties not found in their individual components and can be particularly relevant for drug delivery applications. Engineering amphiphilicity into these bioconjugate materials can lead to phase separation and the assembly of high-order structures. The assembly, termed self-assembly, of these hierarchical structures entails multiple levels of organization: at each level, new properties emerge, which are, in turn, influenced by lower levels. Here, we provide a critical review of protein-polymer conjugate self-assembly and how these materials can be used for therapeutic applications and drug delivery. In addition, we discuss central bioconjugate design questions and propose future perspectives for the field of protein-polymer conjugate self-assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey A Stevens
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Institut des Matériaux and Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Laboratoire des Polymères, Bâtiment MXD, Station 12, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Kuljeet Kaur
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Institut des Matériaux and Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Laboratoire des Polymères, Bâtiment MXD, Station 12, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Harm-Anton Klok
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Institut des Matériaux and Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Laboratoire des Polymères, Bâtiment MXD, Station 12, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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6
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Kumar K, Umapathi R, Ramesh K, Hwang SK, Lim KT, Huh YS, Venkatesu P. Biological Stimuli-Induced Phase Transition of a Synthesized Block Copolymer: Preferential Interactions between PNIPAM- b-PNVCL and Heme Proteins. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:1682-1696. [PMID: 33492958 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The beguiling world of functional polymers is dominated by thermoresponsive polymers with unique structural and molecular attributes. Limited work has been reported on the protein-induced conformational transition of block copolymers; furthermore, the literature lacks a clear understanding of the influence of proteins on the phase behavior of thermoresponsive copolymers. Herein, we have synthesized poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-b-poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNIPAM-b-PNVCL) by RAFT polymerization using N-isopropylacrylamide and N-vinylcaprolactam. Furthermore, using various biophysical techniques, we have explored the effect of cytochrome c (Cyt c), myoglobin (Mb), and hemoglobin (Hb) with varying concentrations on the aggregation behavior of PNIPAM-b-PNVCL. Absorption and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy measurements were performed at room temperature to examine the copolymerization effect on fluorescent probe binding and biomolecular interactions between PNIPAM-b-PNVCL and proteins. Furthermore, temperature-dependent fluorescence spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering studies were performed to get deeper insights into the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM-b-PNVCL. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) was also employed to understand the copolymer behavior in the presence of heme proteins. With the incorporation of proteins to PNIPAM-b-PNVCL aqueous solution, LCST has been varied to different extents owing to the preferential, molecular, and noncovalent interactions between PNIPAM-b-PNVCL and proteins. The present study can pave new insights between heme proteins and block copolymer interactions, which will help design biomimetic surfaces and aid in the strategic fabrication of copolymer-protein bioconjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishan Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India
| | - Reddicherla Umapathi
- NanoBio High-Tech Materials Research Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Kalyan Ramesh
- Department of Display Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Kyu Hwang
- NanoBio High-Tech Materials Research Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwon Taek Lim
- Department of Display Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Suk Huh
- NanoBio High-Tech Materials Research Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
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7
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Kim S, Sureka HV, Kayitmazer AB, Wang G, Swan JW, Olsen BD. Effect of Protein Surface Charge Distribution on Protein–Polyelectrolyte Complexation. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:3026-3037. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sieun Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139 Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Hursh V. Sureka
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139 Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | | | - Gang Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139 Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - James W. Swan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139 Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Bradley D. Olsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139 Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
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8
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9
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Yao H, Sheng K, Sun J, Yan S, Hou Y, Lu H, Olsen BD. Secondary structure drives self-assembly in weakly segregated globular protein–rod block copolymers. Polym Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/c9py01680e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Imparting secondary structure to the polymer block can drive self-assembly in globular protein–helix block copolymers, increasing the effective segregation strength between blocks with weak or no repulsion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Yao
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Cambridge
- USA
| | - Kai Sheng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
- Peking University
- Beijing 100871
- P. R. China
| | - Jialing Sun
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
- Peking University
- Beijing 100871
- P. R. China
| | - Shupeng Yan
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
- Peking University
- Beijing 100871
- P. R. China
| | - Yingqin Hou
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
- Peking University
- Beijing 100871
- P. R. China
| | - Hua Lu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
- Peking University
- Beijing 100871
- P. R. China
| | - Bradley D. Olsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Cambridge
- USA
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10
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Huang A, Paloni JM, Wang A, Obermeyer AC, Sureka HV, Yao H, Olsen BD. Predicting Protein-Polymer Block Copolymer Self-Assembly from Protein Properties. Biomacromolecules 2019; 20:3713-3723. [PMID: 31502834 PMCID: PMC6794641 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b00768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
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Protein–polymer
bioconjugate self-assembly has attracted
a great deal of attention as a method to fabricate protein nanomaterials
in solution and the solid state. To identify protein properties that
affect phase behavior in protein–polymer block copolymers,
a library of 15 unique protein-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) copolymers comprising 11 different
proteins was compiled and analyzed. Many attributes of phase behavior
are found to be similar among all studied bioconjugates regardless
of protein properties, such as formation of micellar phases at high
temperature and low concentration, lamellar ordering with increasing
temperature, and disordering at high concentration, but several key
protein-dependent trends are also observed. In particular, hexagonal
phases are only observed for proteins within the molar mass range
20–36 kDa, where ordering quality is also significantly enhanced.
While ordering is generally found to improve with increasing molecular
weight outside of this range, most large bioconjugates exhibited weaker
than predicted assembly, which is attributed to chain entanglement
with increasing polymer molecular weight. Additionally, order–disorder
transition boundaries are found to be largely uncorrelated to protein
size and quality of ordering. However, the primary finding is that
bioconjugate ordering can be accurately predicted using only protein
molecular weight and percentage of residues contained within β
sheets. This model provides a basis for designing protein–PNIPAM
bioconjugates that exhibit well-defined self-assembly and a modeling
framework that can generalize to other bioconjugate chemistries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Justin M Paloni
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Amy Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Allie C Obermeyer
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Hursh V Sureka
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Helen Yao
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Bradley D Olsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
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11
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Sureka HV, Obermeyer AC, Flores RJ, Olsen BD. Catalytic Biosensors from Complex Coacervate Core Micelle (C3M) Thin Films. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:32354-32365. [PMID: 31441305 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b08478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Enzymes have been applied to a variety of industrially and medically relevant chemistries as both catalysts and sensors. Incorporation of proteins and enzymes into complex coacervates has been demonstrated to improve the thermal, chemical, and temporal stability of enzymes in solution. In this work, a neutral-cationic block copolymer and an enzyme, alkaline phosphatase, are incorporated into complex coacervate core micelles (C3Ms) and coated onto a solid substrate to create a biocatalytic film from aqueous solution. The incorporation of photo-cross-linkable groups into the neutral block of the polymer allows the film to be cross-linked under ultraviolet light, rendering it insoluble. The morphology of the film is shown to depend most strongly on the protein loading within the film, while solvent annealing is shown to have a minimal effect. These films are then demonstrated as specific sensors for Zn2+ in solution in the presence of other metals, a model reaction for ion-selective heavy metal biosensing useful in environmental monitoring. They are shown to have low leaching and maintain sufficient activity and response for sensing for 1 month after aging under ambient conditions and at 40 °C and 50% relative humidity. The C3M immobilization method demonstrated can be applied to a wide variety of proteins with minimal chemical or genetic modification and could be used for immobilization of charged macromolecules in general to produce a wide variety of thin-film devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hursh V Sureka
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Allie C Obermeyer
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Columbia University , New York , New York 10027 , United States
| | - Romeo J Flores
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Bradley D Olsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
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12
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Liu B, Ianosi-Irimie M, Thayumanavan S. Reversible Click Chemistry for Ultrafast and Quantitative Formation of Protein-Polymer Nanoassembly and Intracellular Protein Delivery. ACS NANO 2019; 13:9408-9420. [PMID: 31335116 PMCID: PMC6713578 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b04198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Construction of polymer-protein nanoassemblies is a challenge as reactions between macromolecules, especially those involving proteins, are inherently inefficient due to the sparse reactive functional groups and low concentration requirements. We address this challenge using an ultrafast and reversible click reaction, which forms the basis for a covalent self-assembly strategy between side-chain functionalized polymers and surface-modified proteins. The linkers in the assembly have been programmed to release the incarcerated proteins in its native form, only when subjected to the presence of a specific trigger. The generality and the versatility of the approach have been demonstrated by showing that this strategy can be used for proteins of different sizes and isoelectric points. Moreover, simple modifications in the linker chemistry offers the ability to trigger these assemblies with various chemical inputs. Efficient formation of nanoassemblies based on polymer-protein conjugates has implications in a variety of areas at the interface of chemistry with materials and biology, such as in the generation of active surfaces and in delivery of biologics. As a demonstration of utility in the latter, we have shown that these conjugates can be used to transport functional proteins across cellular membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
| | | | - S. Thayumanavan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
- Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
- Corresponding Author:
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13
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Kapelner RA, Obermeyer AC. Ionic polypeptide tags for protein phase separation. Chem Sci 2019; 10:2700-2707. [PMID: 30996987 PMCID: PMC6419950 DOI: 10.1039/c8sc04253e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyelectrolytes of opposite charge in aqueous solution can undergo a liquid-liquid phase separation known as complex coacervation. Complex coacervation of ampholytic proteins with oppositely charged polyelectrolytes is of increasing interest as it results in a protein rich phase that has potential applications in protein therapeutics, protein purification, and biocatalysis. However, many globular proteins do not phase separate when mixed with an oppositely charged polyelectrolyte, and those that do phase separate do so over narrow concentration, pH, and ionic strength ranges. The protein design factors that govern complex coacervation under varying conditions are still relatively unexplored. Recent work indicates that proteins with an intrinsically disordered region, a higher net charge, or a patch of charged residues are more likely to undergo a phase transition. Based on these design parameters, polyionic coacervation tags were designed and assessed for their ability to promote protein complex coacervation with oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. The phase behavior of a panel of engineered proteins was evaluated with the strong polycation poly(4-vinyl N-methyl pyridinium iodide). Proteins containing the ionic tags formed liquid coacervate droplets, while isotropically charged protein variants formed solid precipitates. The ionic tags also promoted phase separation at higher salt concentrations than an isotropic distribution of charge on the protein surface. The salt dependence of the protein complex coacervation could be predicted independently for tagged or isotropic variants by the ratio of negative-to-positive residues on the proteins and universally by calculating the distance between like charges. The addition of just a six residue polyionic tag generated a globular protein capable of liquid-liquid phase separation at physiological pH and ionic strength. This model system has provided the initial demonstration that short, ionic polypeptide sequences (6-18 amino acids) can drive the liquid-liquid phase separation of globular proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Kapelner
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Columbia University , New York , NY 10027 , USA . ; Tel: +1-212-853-1315
| | - Allie C Obermeyer
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Columbia University , New York , NY 10027 , USA . ; Tel: +1-212-853-1315
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14
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Abstract
Bioconjugates made of the model red fluorescent protein mCherry and synthetic polymer blocks show that topology, i.e. the BA, BA2, ABA and ABC chain structure of the block copolymers, where B represents the protein and A and C represent polymers, has a significant effect on ordering transitions and the type and size of nanostructures formed during microphase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Suguri
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Cambridge
- USA
- Yokkaichi Research Center
| | - Bradley D. Olsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Cambridge
- USA
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15
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Krishnan Y, Rees HA, Rossitto CP, Kim SE, Hung HHK, Frank EH, Olsen BD, Liu DR, Hammond PT, Grodzinsky AJ. Green fluorescent proteins engineered for cartilage-targeted drug delivery: Insights for transport into highly charged avascular tissues. Biomaterials 2018; 183:218-233. [PMID: 30173104 PMCID: PMC6141342 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.08.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is a multi-factorial disease that primarily affects cartilage as well as other joint tissues such as subchondral bone. The lack of effective drug delivery, due to the avascular nature of cartilage and the rapid clearance of intra-articularly delivered drugs via the synovium, remains a major challenge in the development of disease modifying drugs for OA. Cationic delivery carriers can significantly enhance the uptake, penetration and retention of drugs in cartilage by interacting with negatively charged matrix proteoglycans. In this study, we used "supercharged" green fluorescent proteins (GFPs), engineered to have a wide range of net positive charge and surface charge distributions, to characterize the effects of carrier charge on transport into cartilage in isolation of other factors such as carrier size and shape. We quantified the uptake, extent of cartilage penetration and cellular uptake of the GFP variants into living human knee cartilage and bovine cartilage explants. Based on these results, we identified optimal net charges of GFP carriers for potential drug targets located within cartilage extracellular matrix as well as the resident live chondrocytes. These cationic GFPs did not have adverse effects on cartilage in terms of measured cell viability and metabolism, cartilage cell biosynthesis and matrix degradation at doses needed for drug delivery. In addition to quantifying the kinetics of GFP uptake, we developed a predictive mathematical model for transport of the GFP variants that exhibited the highest uptake and penetration into cartilage. This model was further used to predict the transport behavior of GFPs during scale-up to in vivo applications such as intra-articular injection into human knees. The insights gained from this study set the stage for development of cartilage-targeted delivery systems to prevent cartilage degeneration, improve tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation that may cause degradation of other joint tissues affected by OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamini Krishnan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Holly A Rees
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | | | - Si-Eun Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Han-Hwa K Hung
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Eliot H Frank
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Bradley D Olsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Paula T Hammond
- Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Alan J Grodzinsky
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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16
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Barkley DA, Han SU, Koga T, Rudick JG. Peptide-Dendron Hybrids that Adopt Sequence-Encoded β-Sheet Conformations. Polym Chem 2018; 9:4994-5001. [PMID: 30923581 PMCID: PMC6433408 DOI: 10.1039/c8py00882e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Rational design rules for programming hierarchical organization and function through mutations of monomers in sequence-defined polymers can accelerate the development of novel polymeric and supramolecular materials. Our strategy for designing peptide-dendron hybrids that adopt predictable secondary and quaternary structures in bulk is based on patterning the sites at which dendrons are conjugated to short peptides. To validate this approach, we have designed and characterized a series of β-sheet-forming peptide-dendron hybrids. Spectroscopic studies of the hybrids in films reveal that the peptide portion of the hybrids adopts the intended secondary structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A. Barkley
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Sang Uk Han
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Tadanori Koga
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Jonathan G. Rudick
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
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17
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Xu L, Zhang WB. The pursuit of precision in macromolecular science: Concepts, trends, and perspectives. POLYMER 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2018.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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18
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Paloni JM, Miller EA, Sikes HD, Olsen BD. Improved Ordering in Low Molecular Weight Protein-Polymer Conjugates Through Oligomerization of the Protein Block. Biomacromolecules 2018; 19:3814-3824. [PMID: 30132651 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b00928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The self-assembly of protein-polymer conjugates incorporating oligomers of a small, engineered high-affinity binding protein, rcSso7d.SA, is studied to determine the effect of protein oligomerization on nanoscale ordering. Oligomerization enables a systematic increase in the protein molar mass without changing its overall folded structure, leading to a higher driving force for self-assembly into well-ordered structures. Though conjugates of monomeric rcSso7d.SA are found to only exist in disordered states, oligomers of this protein linked to a poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) block self-assemble into lamellar nanostructures. Conjugates of trimeric and tetrameric rcSso7d.SA are observed to produce the strongest ordering in concentrated solution, displaying birefringent lamellae at concentrations as low as 40 wt %. In highly concentrated solution, the oligomeric rcSso7d.SA-PNIPAM block copolymers exhibit ordering and domain spacing trends atypical from that of most block copolymers. Fluorescent binding assays indicate that oligomerized protein blocks retain binding functionality and exhibit limits of detection up to three times lower than that of surface-immobilized protein sensors. Therefore, oligomerization of the protein block in these block copolymers serves as an effective method to improve both nanoscale ordering and biosensing capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Paloni
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Eric A Miller
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Hadley D Sikes
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Bradley D Olsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
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19
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Mills CE, Michaud Z, Olsen BD. Elastin-like Polypeptide (ELP) Charge Influences Self-Assembly of ELP-mCherry Fusion Proteins. Biomacromolecules 2018; 19:2517-2525. [PMID: 29791150 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b00147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembly of protein-polymer bioconjugates presents an elegant strategy for controlling nanostructure and orientation of globular proteins in functional materials. Recent work has shown that genetic fusion of globular protein mCherry to an elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) yields similar self-assembly behavior to these protein-polymer bioconjugates. In the context of studying protein-polymer bioconjugate self-assembly, the mutability of the ELP sequence allows several different properties of the ELP block to be tuned orthogonally while maintaining consistent polypeptide backbone chemistry. This work uses this ELP sequence tunability in combination with the precise control offered by genetic engineering of an amino acid sequence to generate a library of four novel ELP sequences that are used to study the combined effect of charge and hydrophobicity on ELP-mCherry fusion protein self-assembly. Concentrated solution self-assembly is studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and depolarized light scattering (DPLS). These experiments show that fusions containing a negatively charged ELP block do not assemble at all, and fusions with a charge balanced ELP block exhibit a weak propensity for assembly. By comparison, the fusion containing an uncharged ELP block starts to order at 40 wt % in solution and at all concentrations measured has sharper, more intense SAXS peaks than other fusion proteins. These experiments show that charge character of the ELP block is a stronger predictor of self-assembly behavior than the hydrophobicity of the ELP block. Dilute solution small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) on the ELPs alone suggests that all ELPs used in this study (including the uncharged ELP) adopt dilute solution conformations similar to those of traditional polymers, including polyampholytes and polyelectrolytes. Finally, dynamic light scattering studies on ELP-mCherry blends shows that there is no significant complexation between the charged ELPs and mCherry. Therefore, it is proposed that the superior self-assembly of fusion proteins containing uncharged ELP block is due to effective repulsions between charged and uncharged blocks due to local charge correlation effects and, in the case of anionic ELPs, repulsion between like charges within the ELP block.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn E Mills
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Zachary Michaud
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Bradley D Olsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
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20
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Nolles A, van Dongen NJE, Westphal AH, Visser AJWG, Kleijn JM, van Berkel WJH, Borst JW. Encapsulation into complex coacervate core micelles promotes EGFP dimerization. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 19:11380-11389. [PMID: 28422208 DOI: 10.1039/c7cp00755h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Complex coacervate core micelles (C3Ms) are colloidal structures useful for encapsulation of biomacromolecules. We previously demonstrated that enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) can be encapsulated into C3Ms using the diblock copolymer poly(2-methyl-vinyl-pyridinium)41-b-poly(ethylene-oxide)205. This packaging resulted in deviating spectroscopic features of the encapsulated EGFP molecules. Here we show that for monomeric EGFP variant (mEGFP) micellar encapsulation affects the absorption and fluorescence properties to a much lesser extent, and that changes in circular dichroism characteristics are specific for encapsulated EGFP. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy of encapsulated (m)EGFP established the occurrence of homo-FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer) with larger transfer correlation times in the case of EGFP. Together, these findings support that EGFP dimerizes whereas the mEGFP mainly remains as a monomer in the densely packed C3Ms. We propose that dimerization of encapsulated EGFP causes a reorientation of Glu222, resulting in a pKa shift of the chromophore, which is fully reversible after release of EGFP from the C3Ms at a high ionic strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nolles
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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21
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Cao Q, He N, Wang Y, Lu Z. Self-assembled nanostructures from amphiphilic globular protein–polymer hybrids. Polym Bull (Berl) 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00289-017-2176-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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22
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Charan H, Glebe U, Anand D, Kinzel J, Zhu L, Bocola M, Garakani TM, Schwaneberg U, Böker A. Nano-thin walled micro-compartments from transmembrane protein-polymer conjugates. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:2866-2875. [PMID: 28352880 DOI: 10.1039/c6sm02520j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The high interfacial activity of protein-polymer conjugates has inspired their use as stabilizers for Pickering emulsions, resulting in many interesting applications such as synthesis of templated micro-compartments and protocells or vehicles for drug and gene delivery. In this study we report, for the first time, the stabilization of Pickering emulsions with conjugates of a genetically modified transmembrane protein, ferric hydroxamate uptake protein component A (FhuA). The lysine residues of FhuA with open pore (FhuA ΔCVFtev) were modified to attach an initiator and consequently controlled radical polymerization (CRP) carried out via the grafting-from technique. The resulting conjugates of FhuA ΔCVFtev with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and poly((2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA), the so-called building blocks based on transmembrane proteins (BBTP), have been shown to engender larger structures. The properties such as pH-responsivity, temperature-responsivity and interfacial activity of the BBTP were analyzed using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and pendant drop tensiometry. The BBTP were then utilized for the synthesis of highly stable Pickering emulsions, which could remain non-coalesced for well over a month. A new UV-crosslinkable monomer was synthesized and copolymerized with NIPAAm from the protein. The emulsion droplets, upon crosslinking of polymer chains, yielded micro-compartments. Fluorescence microscopy proved that these compartments are of micrometer scale, while cryo-scanning electron microscopy and scanning force microscopy analysis yielded a thickness in the range of 11.1 ± 0.6 to 38.0 ± 18.2 nm for the stabilizing layer of the conjugates. Such micro-compartments would prove to be beneficial in drug delivery applications, owing to the possibility of using the channel of the transmembrane protein as a gate and the smart polymer chains as trigger switches to tune the behavior of the capsules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Charan
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, Geiselbergstr. 69, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
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