Nanoparticle corona for proteins: mechanisms of interaction between dendrimers and proteins

Protein absorption at the surface of big nanoparticles and formation of 'protein corona' can completely change their biological properties. In contrast, we have studied the binding of small nanoparticles - dendrimers - to proteins and the formation of their 'nanoparticle corona'. Three different types of interactions were observed. (1) If proteins have rigid structure and active site buried deeply inside, the 'nanoparticle corona' is unaffected. (2) If proteins have a flexible structure and their active site is also buried deeply inside, the 'nanoparticle corona' affects protein structure, but not enzymatic activity. (3) The 'nanoparticle corona' changes both the structure and enzymatic activity of flexible proteins that have surface-based active centers. These differences are important in understanding interactions taking place at a bio-nanointerface.