Continuing efforts to develop stimuli-responsive polymers (SRPs) as novel smart materials/biomaterials are anticipated to upgrade the quality life of humans. The details of the molecular, physico chemical and biophysical interactions between SRPs and proteins are not fully understood. Indeed, protein - polymer interactions play a major role in a wide range of biomedical/biomaterial applications. In this regards, we studied comparative effect of heme proteins such as cytochrome <i>c </i>(Cyt <i>c</i>), myoglobin (Mb) and haemoglobin (Hb) on the phase behavior of poly(N-vinyl caprolactam) (PVCL) aqueous solution and demonstrated various biomolecular interactions that are taking place between polymer-protein complex with aid of various biophysical techniques. Absorption spectroscopy, steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies, laser Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were operated at room temperature to examine the changes in absorbance, fluorescence intensity, molecular interactions, particle size, agglomeration behavior and surface morphologies, respectively. Furthermore, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies were also performed to analyze conformational changes, coil to globule transition and phase behavior in the presence of proteins. With addition of heme proteins, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PVCL increases towards higher temperature. The significant variations obtained in the phase transition temperature values, conformational changes and agglomeration behavior clearly reflects the different molecular interplay induced in presence of biological stimuli. The present study may help in designing smart biomaterials and stimulate more novel concepts in polymer-protein interactions.

Protein induced conformational transition of smart material: A perspective of protein-surface biomolecular interactions and complex formation between PVCL and heme protein

ACS Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting

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