Effect of motif-programmed artificial proteins on the calcium uptake in a synthetic hydrogel

Motif-programmed artificial proteins with mineralization-related activity were covalently immobilized onto the surface of a hydrogel, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA). We investigated the influence of assaying conditions upon the ability of three selected proteins (PS64, PS382 and PS458) to modulate calcification in vitro. A long-term assay measuring the real amount of calcium phosphate phase in the protein-modified PHEMA showed that all proteins enhanced the uptake of calcium by the hydrogel. For PS382 and PS458, this is a behaviour opposite to that displayed when the same proteins were tested in a free state by a rapid solution assay. Such difference may be attributed to a restricted mobility of the proteins due to immobilization.