Supramolecular Protein Immobilization on Lipid Bilayers

Ralph P.G. Bosmans, Wouter E. Hendriksen, Mark Verheijden, Rienk Eelkema, Pascal Jonkheijm, Jan H. Vanesch, Luc Brunsveld*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)
37 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Protein immobilization on surfaces, and on lipid bilayers specifically, has great potential in biomolecular and biotechnological research. Of current special interest is the immobilization of proteins using supramolecular noncovalent interactions. This allows for a reversible immobilization and obviates the use of harsh ligation conditions that could denature fragile proteins. In the work presented here, reversible supramolecular immobilization of proteins on lipid bilayer surfaces was achieved by using the host-guest interaction of the macrocyclic molecule cucurbit[8]uril. A fluorescent protein was successfully immobilized on the lipid bilayer by making use of the property of cucurbit[8]uril to host together a methylviologen and the indole of a tryptophan positioned on the N-terminal of the protein. The supramolecular complex was anchored to the bilayer through a cholesterol moiety that was attached to the methylviologen tethered with a small polyethylene glycol spacer. Protein immobilization studies using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) showed the assembly of the supramolecular complexes on the bilayer. Specific immobilization through the protein N-terminus is more efficient than through protein side-chain events. Reversible surface release of the proteins could be achieved by washing with cucurbit[8]uril or buffer alone. The described system shows the potential of supramolecular assembly of proteins and provides a method for site-specific protein immobilization under mild conditions in a reversible manner.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)18466-18473
Number of pages8
JournalChemistry : a European journal
Volume21
Issue number50
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Dec 2015

Keywords

  • Immobilization
  • Lipids
  • Macrocycles
  • Supramolecular chemistry
  • Surface analysis
  • 2023 OA procedure

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