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Polyethyleneimine-modified graphene oxide nanocomposites for effective protein functionalization
Yejing Weng1, Bo Jiang, Kaiguang Yang
1National Chromatographic R & A Center, Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China.
Nanoscale
|August 5, 2015
Summary
Researchers developed a biocompatible graphene oxide (GO) substrate coated with polyethyleneimine (BPEI) for protein immobilization. This novel GO@BPEI composite shows high binding capacity for glycoproteins, preserving protein function in complex samples.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Protein Engineering
Background:
- Graphene oxide (GO) presents challenges for protein immobilization due to strong electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions.
- These interactions can negatively impact protein conformation and biological activity, limiting GO's utility in biosensing and biotechnology.
- A need exists for modified GO substrates that enhance protein stability and functionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile method for preparing a biocompatible graphene oxide (GO)-based substrate for protein immobilization.
- To overcome the inherent limitations of GO, such as undesirable protein-surface interactions.
- To evaluate the feasibility of using functionalized GO composites as effective scaffolds for protein biofunctions.
Main Methods:
- Coating of graphene oxide (GO) with hydrophilic branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) to create a modified substrate.
- Fabrication of functionalized composites using Concanavalin A (Con A) as a model lectin protein.
- Evaluation of the binding capacity and performance of the GO@BPEI composites with glycoproteins (e.g., IgG) and in complex biological samples.
Main Results:
- The developed GO@BPEI composites demonstrated an exceptionally high binding capacity for glycoproteins, reaching 538.3 mg g⁻¹ for IgG.
- This binding capacity significantly surpasses that of other commonly used immobilized materials.
- The functionalized composites maintained excellent performance even in the presence of substantial non-glycoprotein interference and within complex biological matrices.
Conclusions:
- The GO@BPEI composite represents a promising biocompatible scaffold for protein immobilization.
- This strategy effectively mitigates the drawbacks of bare GO, preserving protein conformation and biological activity.
- The GO@BPEI composites show significant potential for applications requiring stable and functional protein immobilization, such as biosensors and diagnostics.
