Modifying protein adsorption by layers of glutathione pre-adsorbed on Au(111)

Molecular interaction with metal surfaces raises fundamental questions regarding their binding tendency, their dispersion on the surface, as well as their conformation which may change their biological properties; addressing these questions, and being able to tune protein interactions, is of primary importance for the control of biointerfaces. In this study, one tripeptide, GSH (glu-cys-gly), was used to condition gold surfaces and thus influence the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Depending on the pH value of the GSH solution, cationic, zwitterionic or anionic forms of the tripeptide could be stabilised on the surface, before interacting with BSA solutions. The amount of proteins was observed to depend both on the chemical state of the adsorbed underlying peptide and on the solvent of the protein solution, indicating an important role of electrostatic interactions upon protein adsorption. Moreover, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and synchrotron IR microscopy revealed a heterogeneous distribution of proteins on the GSH layer.