Multilayered polyelectrolyte microcapsules: interaction with the enzyme cytochrome C oxidase

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Biophysics
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Polyelectrolyte microcapsules are versatile structures for encapsulating biological components.
• Integrating functional proteins into microcapsules is crucial for developing advanced biomolecular devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assemble cell-sized polyelectrolyte capsules functionalized with a redox-driven proton pump protein (cytochrome c oxidase).
• To investigate the interaction between these functionalized microcapsules and cytochrome c oxidase.
• To assess the functionality and permeability of the resulting hybrid system.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of polyelectrolyte microcapsules using electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly.
• Functionalization of microcapsules with cytochrome c oxidase.
• Investigation of microcapsule-protein interactions and permeability characteristics.

Main Results:

• Successful assembly of cell-sized polyelectrolyte capsules with functional cytochrome c oxidase.
• Cytochrome c oxidase retained its biological activity within the microcapsules.
• Functionalized microcapsules exhibited permeability, influenced by the shell's composition.
• Demonstrated dependence of permeability on the microcapsule shell components.

Conclusions:

• This study presents the first assembly of cell-sized polyelectrolyte capsules with a redox-driven proton pump protein.
• The findings highlight the retained functionality of cytochrome c oxidase and the tunable permeability of the microcapsule shell.
• This work is a significant step towards creating integrated devices utilizing biomolecular functions.