Precise Assembly of Proteins and Carbohydrates for Next-Generation Biomaterials

Abstract

The complexity and diversity of biomacromolecules make them a unique class of building blocks for generating precise assemblies. They are particularly available to a new generation of biomaterials integrated with living systems due to their intrinsic properties such as accurate recognition, self-organization, and adaptability. Therefore, many excellent approaches have been developed, leading to a variety of quite practical outcomes. Here, we review recent advances in the fabrication and application of artificially precise assemblies by employing proteins and carbohydrates as building blocks, followed by our perspectives on some of new challenges, goals, and opportunities for the future research directions in this field.

Revealing the Key Packing Features Determining the Stability of Peptide Bilayer Membrane

“…Bioinspired self-assembly of designed peptides and carbohydrates is gaining popularity for their naturally biocompatible and biodegradable properties. 1 The ease of synthesis of desired peptide sequence makes peptide-based biomaterials more attractive. EAK16 was the first self-assembling peptide sequence serendipitously discovered while investigating the yeast proteins.…”

“…Engineering biocompatible and non-immunogenic materials is a necessity for effective regenerative medicines, controlled and targeted drug delivery systems. Bioinspired self-assembly of designed peptides and carbohydrates is gaining popularity for their naturally biocompatible and biodegradable properties . The ease of synthesis of desired peptide sequence makes peptide-based biomaterials more attractive.…”

Unnaturally Distorted Hexagonal Protein Ring Alternatingly Reorganized from Two Distinct Chemically Modified Proteins

“…Artificial design of PPIs, that enable the formation of novel protein assemblies and interprotein communications, is a challenging task, especially for developing functional and therapeutic biomaterials. − Therefore, PPIs have been enthusiastically redesigned using rational design and computer-guided mutagenesis, generating homo- and heteroboundaries of multiple protein chains. − Conventional techniques have relied on the 20 canonical amino acids, and, though these earlier methods have been beneficial, expansion of proteins’ structural and functional diversity necessitated incorporation of additional components. Recently, chemical modification techniques are being applied to disrupt or promote the assembling process of natural proteins by directly adjusting the PPIs with the conjugated artificial components. , In these studies, however, the introduced chemical ligands do not modify the shape or the order from the natural assembly.…”

Glycopolymer-Based Hydrogels Impair Energy Metabolism via Delivering Mannose and Depleting Glucose for Tumor Suppression

“…Multicellular organisms commonly metabolize glucose, excrete large amounts of carbon, and generate biomass for sustaining cell growth and proliferation . Thus, carbohydrates that play significant roles of both structural components and energy supplier have emerged as valuable bioactive materials in view of different research disciplines. , …”

“…20 Thus, carbohydrates that play significant roles of both structural components and energy supplier have emerged as valuable bioactive materials in view of different research disciplines. 3,21 Many tumor cells extremely depend on aerobic glycolysis, a manner distinct from oxidative phosphorylation adopted by normal tissues, to meet a highly bioenergetic demand for proliferation and ultimately shape the complex tumor microenvironment. 22,23 Glycolysis is hyperactive and vigorous in tumor metabolism, where abundant glucose is taken up through glucose transporter receptors (GLUT) and consumed exceptionally.…”