A zwitterionic polymer as a novel inhibitor of protein aggregation

We report the novel one-step synthesis of a zwitterionic polymer, polysulfobetaine, via living reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Lysozyme did not aggregate when heated in the presence of this polymer. Amyloid formation, the cause of many diseases, was also suppressed. The zwitterionic polymer was significantly more efficient than previously described inhibitors of protein aggregation. Lysozyme heated in the presence of polysulfobetaine retained its solubility and very high enzymatic efficiency, even after prolonged heating. The secondary structures of lysozyme change with increasing temperature, accompanied by an increase in the β-structure. This change was prevented by mixing the polymer with lysozyme. ¹H-NMR before and after aggregation revealed the conformational changes taking place in the lysozyme: during aggregation, lysozyme is transformed into a random coil conformation, thus losing its secondary structure. Presence of the polymer facilitates retention of partial higher order structures and lysozyme solubility at higher temperatures. The high efficiency of the polyampholyte was ascribed to its ability to prevent collisions between aggregating species by acting as a molecular shield.