Scientists from the Netherlands show how supramolecular polymers can be used to steer the assembly of proteins in a reversible, dynamic manner.
Synthetic supramolecular polymers have already shown great potential in the materials field, but their potential to target biological systems has been underexplored until now. This is surprising considering their self-assembling nature, providing access to structures and molecular properties analogous to biological systems.
The synthesis of a mono-functional discotic molecule, forming supramolecular columnar polymers, allows for the site-selective, covalent attachment of proteins. The supramolecular polymer, displaying the proteins along the columns, acts as a dynamic framework; the simultaneous conjugation of two different proteins enables their assembly in close proximity, resulting in efficient energy transfer. The dynamic nature of the protein-conjugated discotic monomers in the supramolecular polymers allows the exchange of supramolecular building blocks between the columns and tuning of protein density.
The concept of supramolecular polymers displaying proteins could bridge the gap between synthetic and biological systems, providing entry to create dynamic multi- and heterovalent protein assemblies with a responsive nature.
Read the ‘HOT’ Chemical Science article:
Dynamic and bio-orthogonal protein assembly along a supramolecular polymer
Katja Petkau-Milroy, Dana A. Uhlenheuer, A. J. H. Spiering, Jef A. J. M. Vekemans and Luc Brunsveld
Chem. Sci., 2013, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C3SC50891A
