Unexpected improvement in stability and utility of cytochrome c by solution in biocompatible ionic liquids.
Proteins generally are only stable in vitro for short periods of time. This results in challenges during isolation and purification of recombinant proteins and reduces the shelf life of protein-based pharmaceuticals. Here we show that certain novel, biocompatible ionic liquids provide a stabilizing solvent for proteins, for example, cytochrome c, such that structure and activity are maintained even after 6 months of storage at room temperature. Normally, this protein would be rendered inactive after only 1 week in buffered aqueous solution. The effect of the ionic liquid solvent appears to be related to protection against hydrolysis.
Fujita
Kyoko
K
School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton Victoria 3800, Australia.
Forsyth
Maria
M
MacFarlane
Douglas R
DR
Reid
Robert W
RW
Elliott
Gloria D
GD
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D006736:Horses; D007477:Ions; D009206:Myocardium / Q000201:enzymology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012996:Solutions
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007477:Ions; D012996:Solutions; D045304:Cytochromes c