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Controlled Supramolecular Self‐Assembly of Super‐charged β‐Lactoglobulin A–PEG Conjugates into Nanocapsules
Author(s) -
Khan Amit Kumar,
Gudlur Sushanth,
de Hoog HansPeter M.,
Siti Winna,
Liedberg Bo,
Nallani Madhavan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201704298
Subject(s) - conjugate , nanocapsules , ethylene glycol , self assembly , polymer , peg ratio , succinylation , chemistry , supramolecular chemistry , polyelectrolyte , polymer chemistry , micelle , nanoparticle , chemical engineering , materials science , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , aqueous solution , molecule , amino acid , mathematical analysis , biochemistry , mathematics , lysine , engineering , economics , finance
The synthesis and characterization of a new protein–polymer conjugate composed of β lactoglobulin A (βLG A) and poly(ethylene glycol) PEG is described. βLG A was selectively modified to self‐assemble by super‐charging via amination or succinylation followed by conjugation with PEG. An equimolar mixture of the oppositely charged protein–polymer conjugates self‐assemble into spherical capsules of 80–100 nm in diameter. The self‐assembly proceeds by taking simultaneous advantage of the amphiphilicity and polyelectrolyte nature of the protein–polymer conjugate. These protein–polymer capsules or proteinosomes are reminiscent of protein capsids, and are capable of encapsulating solutes in their interior. We envisage this approach to be applicable to other globular proteins.