Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Synthesis of Protein Bioconjugates via Cysteine-maleimide Chemistry
Published on: July 20, 2016
Synthesis of a hemoglobin polymer containing antioxidant enzymes using complementary chemistry of maleimides and
Eugene Tarasov1, Melanie M Blaszak, Jacqueline M LaMarre
1Department of Chemistry, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Abstract:
To increase the overall size of hemoglobin (Hb), we developed a novel system of polymerization based on the complementary chemistry between sulfhydryls and maleimides. The maleimides were introduced onto the protein through N-(-maleimidobutyryloxy) succinimide, while the sulfhydryls were added using 2-iminothiolane hydrochloride (Trauts reagent). Resulting polymers showed SDS-PAGE bands with molecular weights as high as 96 kDa. Size exclusion chromatography has demonstrated species with molecular weight > 700 kDa. The flexibility of the sulfhydryl-maleimide chemistry has also allowed insertion of two antioxidant enzymes, catalase (Cat) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), into the Hb polymer. Cat was incorporated into the heavier fractions of the polymer, while SOD was found throughout the molecular weight range.
More Related Videos
09:24Synthesis, Hemoglobin Encapsulation and Biorthogonal PEGylation in Hierarchically Porous UiO-66 Nanoparticles for Oxygen Delivery Applications
Published on: May 8, 2026
09:57A Facile and Efficient Approach for the Production of Reversible Disulfide Cross-linked Micelles
Published on: December 23, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Gene Families
Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...
Globular and Fibrous Proteins
Globular proteins are also known as spheroproteins and typically are approximately round in shape. They contain a mix of amino acid types and contain differing sequences in their primary structures. Globular proteins have many different functions, such as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be...
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Preparation and Reactions of Thiols
Hemoglobin
When all four heme groups are bound to oxygen, the resulting molecule is called oxyhemoglobin. As a result, arterial blood...