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Nanoengineering of Stimuli‐Responsive Protein‐Based Biomimetic Protocells as Versatile Drug Delivery Tools
Author(s) -
Zhao Fenfang,
Shen Guizhi,
Chen Chengjun,
Xing Ruirui,
Zou Qianli,
Ma Guanghui,
Yan Xuehai
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201400348
Subject(s) - nanoengineering , protocell , nanotechnology , drug delivery , microscale chemistry , nanobiotechnology , biomolecule , nanorobotics , small molecule , biomimetic materials , materials science , chemistry , nanoparticle , biophysics , membrane , biology , biochemistry , mathematics education , mathematics
We present a general strategy to nanoengineer protein‐based colloidal spheres (biomimetic protocells) as versatile delivery carriers with stimuli responsiveness by the electrostatic assembly of binary components (proteins and polypeptides) in association with intermolecular disulfide cross‐linking. The size of the colloidal spheres, ranging from nanoscale to microscale, is readily tuned through parameters like protein and polypeptide concentration, the ratio between both, pH, and so on. Moreover, such colloidal spheres show versatile encapsulation of various guest molecules including small organic molecules and biomacromolecules. The pH and redox dual‐responsiveness facilitates the rapid release of the payload in an acidic and reductant‐enriched ambient such as in lysosomes. Thus, nanoengineering of protein‐based biomimetic protocells opens a new alternative avenue for developing delivery vehicles with multifunctional properties towards a range of therapeutic and diagnostic applications.