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Tuning of Cationic Polymer Functionality in Complex Coacervate Artificial Cells for Optimized Enzyme Activity.
Alexander B Cook1, Bruno Delgado Gonzalez2, Jan C M van Hest1,3
1Bio-Organic Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, Netherlands.
Biomacromolecules
|December 8, 2023
Summary
Complex coacervates, mimicking cell structures, show that lower cationic charge density enhances protein mobility and enzyme activity within artificial cells. This finding aids coacervate applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomimetic materials science
- Polymer chemistry
- Cellular biophysics
Background:
- Complex coacervates serve as versatile platforms for mimicking living cell structures.
- Macromolecularly crowded condensates within cells and artificial systems can modulate enzyme activity.
- The specific impact of charge interactions, particularly cationic charges, on enzyme activity within coacervates remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of amine type and charge density in amino-functional polymers on coacervate properties.
- To explore the effects of these polymers on coacervate formation, stability, protein partitioning, and enzyme function.
- To understand how varying charge densities within coacervate artificial cells impact enzyme activity and protein mobility.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of amino-functional polymers via RAFT polymerization using monomers like AEAM, DMAEMA, IPMAm, and TMAEMA.
- Formation of membranized complex coacervate artificial cells using synthesized polycations and an anionic amylose derivative.
- Analysis of coacervate formation, stability, protein partitioning, and enzyme activity in relation to polymer charge density.
Main Results:
- Polycations with reduced charge density led to increased protein mobility within the coacervate condensates.
- Enzyme activity was found to be higher in coacervates formed with polycations of lower charge density.
- The type of amine and its associated charge density significantly influenced coacervate characteristics and encapsulated enzyme performance.
Conclusions:
- Reduced cationic charge density in coacervate artificial cells promotes protein mobility and enhances enzyme function.
- These findings provide crucial insights for designing coacervate-based artificial cells for specific applications.
- The study guides the development of coacervate artificial cells for sensing, catalysis, and therapeutic formulations.
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