Antibody-Binding, Antifouling Surface Coatings Based on Recombinant Expression of Zwitterionic EK Peptides

Langmuir. 2019 Feb 5;35(5):1266-1272. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b00810. Epub 2018 Jun 19.

Abstract

Development of antifouling films which selectively capture or target proteins of interest is essential for controlling interactions at the "bio/nano" interface. However, in order to synthesize biofunctional films from synthetic polymers that incorporate chemical "motifs" for surface immobilization, antifouling, and oriented biomolecule attachment, multiple reaction steps need to be carried out at the solid/liquid interface. EKx is a zwitterionic peptide that has previously been shown to have excellent antifouling properties. In this study, we recombinantly expressed EKx peptides and genetically encoded both surface attachment and antibody-binding motifs, before characterizing the resultant biopolymers by traditional methods. These peptides were then immobilized to organosilica nanoparticles for binding IgG, and subsequently capturing dengue NS1 as a model antigen from serum-containing solution. We found that a mixed layer of a short peptide (4.9 kDa) "backfilled" with a longer peptide terminated with an IgG-binding Z-domain (18 kDa) demonstrated selective capture of dengue NS1 protein down to ∼10 ng mL-1 in either PBS or 20% serum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biofouling / prevention & control*
  • Dengue Virus / chemistry
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Immobilized Proteins / genetics
  • Immobilized Proteins / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin G / chemistry
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Domains
  • Protein Engineering / methods
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Immobilized Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Peptides
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Silicon Dioxide