Stabilization, functionalization and hyperactivation of enzymes by polymers
Dr. Ulrich Glebe
University of Potsdam, Biohybrid Materials
https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/biohyb/index
Enzymes are sensitive biomolecules which are prone to denaturation and benefit from approaches to their stabilization. Synthetic polymers represent one possibility to stabilize enzymes and can even influence their activity. This presentation will give an overview of the synthesis of protein-polymer conjugates, including random and site-specific modification, as well as non-covalent enzyme/polymer complexes. Furthermore, characterization techniques, such as NMR spectroscopy, that give molecular insight into the modification of proteins and the interaction of polymers with proteins will be shown.
The site of modification and type of used polymer can have a drastic influence on the activity of the enzyme-polymer conjugate. In addition, the non-covalent complex formation between polymers and proteins is a rather novel development for the hyperactivation of enzymes. We have demonstrated that the activity of α-chymotrypsin could be enhanced approximately 10-fold when using tailor-made polymers.
Applications of such approaches to enzyme stabilization may reach into usage at higher temperatures, for longer times, and with maintained activity in organic solvents. As outlook, the application in cascade reactions, enzyme immobilization, and enzyme-polymer membranes will be discussed.