title: Assessing the Potential of Folded Globular Polyproteins As Hydrogel Building Blocks.
abstract: The native states of proteins generally have stable well-defined folded structures endowing these biomolecules with specific functionality and molecular recognition abilities. Here we explore the potential of using folded globular polyproteins as building blocks for hydrogels. Photochemically cross-linked hydrogels were produced from polyproteins containing either five domains of I27 ((I27)5), protein L ((pL)5), or a 1:1 blend of these proteins. SAXS analysis showed that (I27)5exists as a single rod-like structure, while (pL)5shows signatures of self-aggregation in solution. SANS measurements showed that both polyprotein hydrogels have a similar nanoscopic structure, with protein L hydrogels being formed from smaller and more compact clusters. The polyprotein hydrogels showed small energy dissipation in a load/unload cycle, which significantly increased when the hydrogels were formed in the unfolded state. This study demonstrates the use of folded proteins as building blocks in hydrogels, and highlights the potential versatility that can be offered in tuning the mechanical, structural, and functional properties of polyproteins.
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy and ‡Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds , Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Marcelo A
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1413-4021
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy and ‡Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds , Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lenton
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy and ‡Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds , Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy and ‡Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds , Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Brockwell
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy and ‡Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds , Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lorna
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2620-5827
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dougan
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D020815:Polyproteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D015202:Protein Engineering; D012212:Rheology; D053838:Scattering, Small Angle; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D020815:Polyproteins; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate