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Swanson P, Arnold GP, Curley CE, Wakita SC, Waters JDV, Balog ERM. Understanding the Phase Behavior of a Multistimuli-Responsive Elastin-like Polymer: Insights from Dynamic Light Scattering Analysis. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:5756-5765. [PMID: 38830627 PMCID: PMC11181320 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Elastin-like polymers are a class of stimuli-responsive protein polymers that hold immense promise in applications such as drug delivery, hydrogels, and biosensors. Yet, understanding the intricate interplay of factors influencing their stimuli-responsive behavior remains a challenging frontier. Using temperature-controlled dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements, we investigate the interactions between buffer, pH, salt, water, and protein using an elastin-like polymer containing ionizable lysine residues. We observed the elevation of transition temperature in the presence of the common buffering agent HEPES at low concentrations, suggesting a "salting-in" effect of HEPES as a cosolute through weak association with the protein. Our findings motivate a more comprehensive investigation of the influence of buffer and other cosolute molecules on elastin-like polymer behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter
C. Swanson
- School of Mathematical and
Physical Sciences, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine 04005, United States
| | - Galen P. Arnold
- School of Mathematical and
Physical Sciences, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine 04005, United States
| | - Carolyn E. Curley
- School of Mathematical and
Physical Sciences, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine 04005, United States
| | - Savannah C. Wakita
- School of Mathematical and
Physical Sciences, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine 04005, United States
| | - Jeffery D. V. Waters
- School of Mathematical and
Physical Sciences, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine 04005, United States
| | - Eva Rose M. Balog
- School of Mathematical and
Physical Sciences, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine 04005, United States
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2
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Díez Pérez T, Tafoya AN, Peabody DS, Lakin MR, Hurwitz I, Carroll NJ, López GP. Isolation of nucleic acids using liquid-liquid phase separation of pH-sensitive elastin-like polypeptides. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10157. [PMID: 38698072 PMCID: PMC11065875 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60648-9] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Extraction of nucleic acids (NAs) is critical for many methods in molecular biology and bioanalytical chemistry. NA extraction has been extensively studied and optimized for a wide range of applications and its importance to society has significantly increased. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of early and efficient NA testing, for which NA extraction is a critical analytical step prior to the detection by methods like polymerase chain reaction. This study explores simple, new approaches to extraction using engineered smart nanomaterials, namely NA-binding, intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), that undergo triggered liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Two types of NA-binding IDPs are studied, both based on genetically engineered elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs), model IDPs that exhibit a lower critical solution temperature in water and can be designed to exhibit LLPS at desired temperatures in a variety of biological solutions. We show that ELP fusion proteins with natural NA-binding domains can be used to extract DNA and RNA from physiologically relevant solutions. We further show that LLPS of pH responsive ELPs that incorporate histidine in their sequences can be used for both binding, extraction and release of NAs from biological solutions, and can be used to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in samples from COVID-positive patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telmo Díez Pérez
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
- Center for Micro-Engineered Materials, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Ashley N Tafoya
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
- Center for Micro-Engineered Materials, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - David S Peabody
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Matthew R Lakin
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Ivy Hurwitz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Global Health, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Nick J Carroll
- Center for Micro-Engineered Materials, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Gabriel P López
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
- Center for Micro-Engineered Materials, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
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3
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Noh Y, Son E, Cha C. Exploring stimuli-responsive elastin-like polypeptide for biomedicine and beyond: potential application as programmable soft actuators. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1284226. [PMID: 37965051 PMCID: PMC10642932 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1284226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
With the emergence of soft robotics, there is a growing need to develop actuator systems that are lightweight, mechanically compliant, stimuli-responsive, and readily programmable for precise and intelligent operation. Therefore, "smart" polymeric materials that can precisely change their physicomechanical properties in response to various external stimuli (e.g., pH, temperature, electromagnetic force) are increasingly investigated. Many different types of polymers demonstrating stimuli-responsiveness and shape memory effect have been developed over the years, but their focus has been mostly placed on controlling their mechanical properties. In order to impart complexity in actuation systems, there is a concerted effort to implement additional desired functionalities. For this purpose, elastin-like polypeptide (ELP), a class of genetically-engineered thermoresponsive polypeptides that have been mostly utilized for biomedical applications, is being increasingly investigated for stimuli-responsive actuation. Herein, unique characteristics and biomedical applications of ELP, and recent progress on utilizing ELP for programmable actuation are introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chaenyung Cha
- Center for Multidimensional Programmable Matter, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea
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4
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Yeo J, Yang R, Spero E, Ling S. Special Issue on Engineering Bioinspired and Biological Materials. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:3725-3728. [PMID: 37452569 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
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5
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Ji J, Hossain MS, Krueger EN, Zhang Z, Nangia S, Carpentier B, Martel M, Nangia S, Mozhdehi D. Lipidation Alters the Structure and Hydration of Myristoylated Intrinsically Disordered Proteins. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:1244-1257. [PMID: 36757021 PMCID: PMC10017028 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Lipidated proteins are an emerging class of hybrid biomaterials that can integrate the functional capabilities of proteins into precisely engineered nano-biomaterials with potential applications in biotechnology, nanoscience, and biomedical engineering. For instance, fatty-acid-modified elastin-like polypeptides (FAMEs) combine the hierarchical assembly of lipids with the thermoresponsive character of elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) to form nanocarriers with emergent temperature-dependent structural (shape or size) characteristics. Here, we report the biophysical underpinnings of thermoresponsive behavior of FAMEs using computational nanoscopy, spectroscopy, scattering, and microscopy. This integrated approach revealed that temperature and molecular syntax alter the structure, contact, and hydration of lipid, lipidation site, and protein, aligning with the changes in the nanomorphology of FAMEs. These findings enable a better understanding of the biophysical consequence of lipidation in biology and the rational design of the biomaterials and therapeutics that rival the exquisite hierarchy and capabilities of biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Ji
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Md Shahadat Hossain
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Emily N. Krueger
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Shivangi Nangia
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut 06117, United States
| | - Britnie Carpentier
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Mae Martel
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Shikha Nangia
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- BioInspired
Syracuse: Institute for Material and Living Systems, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Davoud Mozhdehi
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- BioInspired
Syracuse: Institute for Material and Living Systems, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Department
of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
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Wang B, Fang H, Zhu W, Xu Y, Yang Y, Qian X. Dynamic Compartmentalization of Peptide-Oligonucleotide Conjugates with Reversible Nanovesicle-Microdroplet Phase Transition Behaviors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:36998-37008. [PMID: 35925804 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c05268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Developing artificial microsystems based on liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) to mimic cellular dynamic compartmentalization has gained increasing attention. However, limitations including complicated components and laborious fabrication techniques have hindered their development. Herein, we describe a new single-component dynamic compartmentalization system using peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates (POCs) produced from short elastin-like polypeptides (sELPs) and oligonucleotides (ONs), which can perform thermoreversible phase transition between a nanovesicle and a microdroplet. The phase transition of sELP-ONs is thoroughly investigated, of which the transition temperature can be controlled by concentration, length of sELPs and ONs, base sequences, and salt. Moreover, the sELP-ON microcompartment can enrich a variety of functional molecules including small molecules, polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids. Two sELP-ON compartments are used as nano- and microreactors for enzymatic reactions, separately, in which chemical activities are successfully regulated under different-scaled confinement effects, demonstrating their broad potential application in matter exchange and artificial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Honglong Fang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Weiping Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yufang Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yangyang Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xuhong Qian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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