Polysaccharide-Protein Nanoassemblies: Novel Soft Materials for Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications

Abstract

Polysaccharide and proteins are the major constituent building blocks of biological systems and often occur as highly organized macromolecular architectures (e.g. the capsid of viruses). Both can occur in the same or in different biological physiological environment interacting in specific or non-specific ways. When isolated and purified, these macromolecules can harness self-assembled (SA) soft nanomaterials by non-covalent electrostatic complexation. Although polysaccharide-protein electrostatic SA systems of this type have been studied for more than two decades, the possibility to design materials with enhanced biological function and improved technological advantages over those based on synthetic or inorganic components, has only started to be recognized and is yet to be fully realized. In this review we address two main type of SA polysaccharide-protein systems, namely, those based on chitosan-protein and those based on polyanionic polysaccharide (pectin, hyaluronic acid or alginate) - protein ones. The physical properties of chitosan- and polyanion-based SA nanocomplexes with oppositely charged proteins depend on the composition and conditions as reviewed here with reference to some specific systems.

Protein-surfactant-polysaccharide nanoparticles increase the catalytic activity of an engineered β-lactamase maltose-activated switch enzyme

“…Enzyme delivery using nano-sized carriers is a promising research field since recent studies on nanotechnology led to the synthesis of uniformly sized, and non-cytotoxic nanoparticles 1 .…”

“…Among the repertoire of available nanomaterials, soft nanomaterials based on protein and polysaccharides represent an enormous opportunity since several of them are biocompatible, biodegradable and generally regarded as safe (GRAS) according to the FDA. 1,2 Enzymes and proteins can be associated/immobilized either onto the surface or within the matrix of polymeric nanoparticles. [2][3][4][5] Either of these techniques improve the stability of the cargo, as they serve to protect it against degradation..…”

Mapping insulin non‐covalent interactions with natural polysaccharides by hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry

“…Polysaccharides constitute a valid tool for the formulation of peptide products, as they are generally stable, nontoxic, hydrophilic and biodegradable and can improve the physical properties and pharmacological performance of protein drugs, provided that their interaction with them does not alter peptide conformation. [5] Their property as excipients, coating materials and their ability to create non-covalent interactions with active ingredients to obtain controlled release systems are well known. [6][7][8] The three-dimensional organization of proteins is vital both for their function and for their behavior, and any conformational alteration can negatively impact on drug efficacy.…”

Multimodal Porphyrin-Based Conjugates: Synthesis and characterization for applications as amyloid ligands, photodynamic therapy agents and chiroptical materials

“…92,93 The propensity to spontaneously, or upon an initiation, self-associate into organized assemblies of various structures even in vitro makes these biomolecules attractive candidates for making new materials. 94 As an example of useful supramolecular self-assemblies, in the Stupp group novel filamentous materials are designed resulting from self-assembly of glycoconjugated peptide amphiphiles. These structures have shown potential as improved biomimetics for heparin and sulfated heparan.…”

“…99 While biomolecular assemblies are suitable for constructing the mechanical structure of a material with the wanted soft-matter qualities and biocompatibility, they seldom intrinsically possess the optoelectronic properties. 100,101 The protein bacteriorhodopsin is an example of a biomolecule with an inherent optoelectronic function owing to the presence of its cofactor retinal. 102 Bacteriorhodopsin is therefore of extreme interest to material science.…”