Functional enzyme–polymer complexes

Abstract

Significance The use of biological enzyme catalysts could have huge ramifications for chemical industries. However, these enzymes are often inactive in nonbiological conditions, such as high temperatures, present in industrial settings. Here, we show that the enzyme PETase (polyethylene terephthalate [PET]), with potential application in plastic recycling, is stabilized at elevated temperature through complexation with random copolymers. We demonstrate this through simulations and experiments on different types of substrates. Our simulations also provide strategies for designing more enzymatically active complexes by altering polymer composition and enzyme charge distribution.

Rheology and Gelation of Hyaluronic Acid/Chitosan Coacervates

“…These two factors make attraction between like-charged macroions possible when a polyelectrolyte is bound to a protein on the wrong side of the isoelectric point. Meanwhile, the versatility of coacervation as a macro- or nano-encapsulation platform makes coacervates very attractive for industrial applications such as masking of flavors and oil [ 17 ], immobilization of enzymes [ 18 ], and controlled delivery of drugs [ 19 ], hormones [ 20 ] and angiogenic growth factors [ 21 ].…”

Enzyme‐Polymer Conjugates for Tuning, Enhancing, and Expanding Biocatalytic Activity

“…Further, it has been experimentally demonstrated that copolymers bearing groups that interact with the structure of the proteins through hydrophobic, polar and ionic interactions support the folding of membrane proteins in cell‐free synthesis, mimicking the work of chaperones [32] . Likewise, these polymers preserve the catalytic function of enzymes in organic solvents and elevated temperatures, showing stabilization far beyond that the one provided by PEGylated proteins [33] . Random copolymers also allow combining chemical functionalities in a single polymer in a forthright way [34] .…”

Manipulation of Thermoresponsive Polymers Using Biomolecules

“…In contrast, the conjugates with the nonresponsive linker showed no significant pH-dependent drug release. Waltmann et al 162 experimentally and theoretically demonstrated the application of protein−polymer complexes to plastic recycling at higher temperatures and demonstrated enhanced enzyme activity and stabilization at higher temperatures due to complexation with different random copolymers with the same backbone but polar, nonpolar, or charged side chains. Protein adsorption was found to be controlled by the number of contacts between polymer and proteins at different temperatures.…”