Thermoresponsive Protein-Engineered Coiled-Coil Hydrogel for Sustained Small Molecule Release

Biomacromolecules. 2019 Sep 9;20(9):3340-3351. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b00107. Epub 2019 Aug 19.

Abstract

Thermoresponsive hydrogels are used for an array of biomedical applications. Lower critical solution temperature-type hydrogels have been observed in nature and extensively studied in comparison to upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-type hydrogels. Of the limited protein-based UCST-type hydrogels reported, none have been composed of a single coiled-coil domain. Here, we describe a biosynthesized homopentameric coiled-coil protein capable of demonstrating a UCST. Microscopy and structural analysis reveal that the hydrogel is stabilized by molecular entanglement of protein nanofibers, creating a porous matrix capable of binding the small hydrophobic molecule, curcumin. Curcumin binding increases the α-helical structure, fiber entanglement, mechanical integrity, and thermostability, resulting in sustained drug release at physiological temperature. This work provides the first example of a thermoresponsive hydrogel comprised of a single coiled-coil protein domain that can be used as a vehicle for sustained release and, by demonstrating UCST-type behavior, shows promise in forging a relationship between coiled-coil protein-phase behavior and that of synthetic polymer systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Delayed-Action Preparations / chemistry
  • Drug Carriers / chemical synthesis
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Hydrogels / chemical synthesis
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Protein Domains / genetics
  • Protein Engineering
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Drug Carriers
  • Hydrogels
  • Polymers
  • Proteins