Enzymatic collapse of artificial polymer composite material containing double-stranded DNA

Area of Science:

• Biomaterial Science
• Polymer Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Significant quantities of DNA-rich biomaterials, including salmon milt and shellfish gonads, are generated as industrial waste globally.
• Effective utilization of these DNA resources is crucial for advancing biomaterial science and developing novel therapeutic technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To convert discarded DNA into a functional, enzymatically collapsible material.
• To investigate the properties and potential applications of DNA-artificial polymer composite materials.

Main Methods:

• DNA was incorporated into artificial polymer materials, such as nylon, to create composite materials.
• The collapsibility of these composites was tested under enzymatic conditions using Micrococcal nuclease.
• The influence of imino group concentration in the artificial polymer on collapsibility was analyzed.
• Fiber formation with ordered molecular orientation was achieved via liquid/liquid interface reactions.

Main Results:

• DNA-artificial polymer composites demonstrated stability in water but exhibited controlled collapsibility upon exposure to DNA-hydrolyzing enzymes.
• The degree of collapsibility was tunable based on the imino group content of the artificial polymer.
• The composite materials could be fabricated into fibers with high molecular orientation.

Conclusions:

• DNA-artificial polymer composites offer a promising route for valorizing industrial DNA waste.
• These materials possess tunable enzymatic collapsibility and degradability, suggesting potential for novel bio-, medical-, and environmental applications.