Protein-based Nanoparticles: From Drug Delivery to Imaging, Nanocatalysis and Protein Therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Proteins and enzymes are valuable biomaterials for medical uses due to their specificity, degradability, low toxicity, and biocompatibility.
• Protein nanoparticles are nanometer-sized assemblies of native or modified proteins.
• This review focuses on artificial protein nanoparticle systems where proteins form the primary structure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development and applications of artificial protein nanoparticle systems.
• To highlight how chemical modifications and environmental changes enable broader protein assembly.
• To discuss the expanding applications of these nanosystems beyond drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on protein self-assembly and nanoparticle formation.
• Analysis of chemical modification techniques for protein assembly.
• Exploration of physical environmental factors influencing protein aggregation.

Main Results:

• Proteins and enzymes can be engineered into nanoparticles for advanced applications.
• Artificial protein nanoparticles offer enhanced versatility compared to naturally occurring ones.
• These systems are adaptable for drug delivery, imaging, nanocatalysis, and protein therapy.

Conclusions:

• Artificial protein nanoparticles represent a new generation of nanosystems with diverse medical potential.
• The ability to assemble various proteins and enzymes into nanoparticles broadens their utility.
• These biocompatible nanomaterials are promising for multifunctional applications in medicine and beyond.