Preserving Protein using a Proline-Urea-based Deep Eutectic Solvent
Disciplines
Analytical Chemistry | Environmental Chemistry | Materials Chemistry
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Deep eutectic solvents (DES) remain a relatively new concept in the chemical world. The word ‘eutectic’ is originated from Greek ‘εu’ meaning 'well' and ‘τῆξῐς’ meaning 'melting'. These solvents show characteristic melting point (MP) depression. This is accomplished through acquiring the correct stoichiometric ratios in order to obtain the deep eutectic point, where the melting point is at its lowest. Current studies of DES have focused on multiple different applications (e.g., drug delivery and metal processing), including the application of DES to preserve proteins or prevent their unfolding. For this study, a DES composed of a 1:2:2 molar ratio of L-proline, urea, and water (called Pro-Urea DES for simplicity) was synthesized and tested with lysozyme (in phosphate buffer), a protein and enzyme that provides defense for the immune system. Characterization of the Pro-Urea DES and the observations of the Pro-Urea DES on lysozyme were completed using Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The IR spectra revealed interactions between the DES and protein at the amide I region, in which an increase in peak intensities was observed. With the thermal profiles obtained from the DSC, the effect of the Pro-Urea DES on the lysozyme demonstrated an increase in the temperature at which lysozyme denatures, by a difference of nearly 10°C. In the future, other enzymes will be tested with the Pro-Urea DES to determine the consistency of this data.
Use of AI Disclaimer
no
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM – Chemistry and Biochemistry
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Mohammad Halim
Preserving Protein using a Proline-Urea-based Deep Eutectic Solvent
Deep eutectic solvents (DES) remain a relatively new concept in the chemical world. The word ‘eutectic’ is originated from Greek ‘εu’ meaning 'well' and ‘τῆξῐς’ meaning 'melting'. These solvents show characteristic melting point (MP) depression. This is accomplished through acquiring the correct stoichiometric ratios in order to obtain the deep eutectic point, where the melting point is at its lowest. Current studies of DES have focused on multiple different applications (e.g., drug delivery and metal processing), including the application of DES to preserve proteins or prevent their unfolding. For this study, a DES composed of a 1:2:2 molar ratio of L-proline, urea, and water (called Pro-Urea DES for simplicity) was synthesized and tested with lysozyme (in phosphate buffer), a protein and enzyme that provides defense for the immune system. Characterization of the Pro-Urea DES and the observations of the Pro-Urea DES on lysozyme were completed using Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The IR spectra revealed interactions between the DES and protein at the amide I region, in which an increase in peak intensities was observed. With the thermal profiles obtained from the DSC, the effect of the Pro-Urea DES on the lysozyme demonstrated an increase in the temperature at which lysozyme denatures, by a difference of nearly 10°C. In the future, other enzymes will be tested with the Pro-Urea DES to determine the consistency of this data.