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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

ECM Protein Nanofibers and Nanostructures Engineered Using Surface-initiated Assembly
Published on: April 17, 2014
Control of protein structure and function through surface recognition by tailored nanoparticle scaffolds
Rui Hong1, Nicholas O Fischer, Ayush Verma
1Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
Abstract:
Thioalkyl and thioalkylated oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) ligands with chain-end functionality were used to fabricate water-soluble CdSe nanoparticle scaffolds. Surface recognition of chymotrypsin (ChT) was achieved using these functionalized nanoparticle scaffolds, with three levels of interaction demonstrated: no interaction (OEG terminated with hydroxyl group), inhibition with denaturation (carboxylate-terminated thioalkyl ligands), and inhibition with retention of structure (carboxylate-terminated OEG). The latter process was reversible upon an increase in ionic strength, with essentially complete restoration of enzymatic activity.
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