Self-assembly of globular protein-polymer diblock copolymers provides a direct route towards nanopatterning proteins at high densities while also preserving high levels of protein activity. By effectively nanopatterning proteins, this technique has the potential to aid in the fabrication of a variety of highly efficient biocatalytic, bioelectronic and biosensor devices. To control the nanostructure and extend the capability of these materials, we are interested in understanding design principles of protein-polymer self-assembly, specifically the effect of block copolymer topology.<br/>In this study, we have synthesized, a protein-two arm polymer diblock copolymer (2-arm type) and polymer-protein-polymer triblock copolymer (ABA triblock type) block copolymers and compared their self-assembly behavior to diblock copolymers<br/>To study the 2-arm type, a new RAFT agent which has two chain transfer agents and a blocked maleimide unit was synthesized. RAFT polymerization with this RAFT agent, followed by the deprotection of blocked maledimide gave 2-arm polymer including a maleimide unit. Thiol-ene reaction with a protein which have one cysteine residue and the polymer including a maleimide unit gave 2-arm type protein-polymer conjugate. SAXS data showed that both 1-arm and 2-arm mCherry bioconjugates showed similar phase behavior, although the domain spacing decreased for the two arm polymer.<br/>To study triblock type, we designed modified mCherry which has one cysteine residue and N-terminal LPETG sequence which reacts with tri-glycine catalyzed by enzyme, Sortase A. Bioconjugation with the mCherry, one polymer containing maleimide, and the other polymer containing tri-glycine can give ABA and ABC type of triblocks. In ongoing studies, we are characterizing the nanostructure of these materials.<br/>This research will show the way to control the nanostrucuture of protein-polymer block copolymers and how topology impacts the self-assembly behavior.

Topology effect on protein-polymer block copolymers self-assembly

255th National Meeting (2018)

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