Gallium-binding peptides as a tool for the sustainable treatment of industrial waste streams

Here we provide a proof of principle for an application-oriented concept for the peptide-based recovery of gallium in industrial wastewater, which was supported by biosorption studies with a real wastewater sample. We investigated the interaction of the gallium-binding peptides TMHHAAIAHPPH, NYLPHQSSSPSR, SQALSTSRQDLR, HTQHIQSDDHLA, and NDLQRHRLTAGP with gallium and arsenic through different experimental and computational approaches. Data obtained from isothermal titration microcalorimetry indicated a competitive influence by the presence of acetate ions with an exothermic contribution to the otherwise endothermic peptide gallium interactions. For peptide HTQHIQSDDHLA, a stabilizing influence of acetate ions on the metal peptide interaction was found. Peptide NYLPHQSSSPSR showed the highest affinity for gallium in ITC studies. Computational modeling of peptide NYLPHQSSSPSR was used to determine interaction parameters and to explain a possible binding mechanism. Furthermore, the peptides were immobilized on polystyrene beads. Thus, we created a novel and exceptionally robust peptide-based material for the biosorption of gallium from an aqueous solution. Data obtained from isothermal titration microcalorimetry indicated a competitive influence by the presence of acetate ions with an exothermic contribution to the otherwise endothermic peptide gallium interactions. For peptide HTQHIQSDDHLA, a stabilizing influence of acetate ions on the metal peptide interaction was found. Peptide NYLPHQSSSPSR showed the highest affinity for gallium in ITC studies. Computational modeling of peptide NYLPHQSSSPSR was used to determine interaction parameters and to explain a possible binding mechanism. Furthermore, the peptides were immobilized on polystyrene beads. Thus, we created a novel and exceptionally robust peptide-based material for the biosorption of gallium from an aqueous solution.