Peptide-Crosslinked Protein Imprinted Polymer Helix-Coil Transition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for protein imprinting face challenges such as difficulty in template removal and poor imprint effect due to harsh elution conditions and limited cross-linking options, which lead to denaturation and loss of protein activity, hindering applications in protein enrichment, separation, and purification.

Innovation Solution

A peptide-crosslinked protein-imprinted polymer preparation method using a peptide crosslinking agent with polymerizable double bonds that undergoes helix-coil transition, allowing for mild template removal and recovery of imprint cavities for specific recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If harsh elution methods (high concentration salt solutions, acetic acid/surfactant mixtures, or proteinase digestion) are used to remove template proteins, then template removal efficiency is improved, but protein activity is lost due to denaturation or destruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemplate removal efficiencyVSAvoidprotein denaturation and deactivation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the polymer network by controlling cross-linking degree (10-30%) and using specific porogens (ionic liquids, surfactants, or their mixtures with water) to create an optimal balance between network density and porosity. This allows template proteins to be removed under mild conditions (PBS buffer, pH 7.4, 37°C) without denaturation, while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for selective recognition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite cross-linking systems combining peptide cross-linkers (providing specific recognition elements) with traditional cross-linkers (providing structural stability). This composite approach creates a polymer network that simultaneously achieves gentle template removal and maintains high imprinting effect, resolving the contradiction between template removal efficiency and protein activity preservation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high degree of cross-linking (>50%) is used to maintain imprint cavity structure, then recognition specificity is improved, but template removal becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition specificityVSAvoidtemplate removal difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the cross-linking degree parameter to 10-30%, which is lower than conventional small molecule imprinting but sufficient for protein imprinting. This optimized parameter range creates a polymer network with adequate structural integrity for maintaining imprint cavity shape while having sufficient porosity and flexibility to allow template protein diffusion and removal under mild conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates porous structures created by using porogens (ionic liquids, surfactants, or their mixtures) during polymerization. These porous structures provide channels for template protein diffusion throughout the polymer network, enabling complete template removal even at moderate cross-linking degrees while preserving the three-dimensional structure of imprint cavities for specific recognition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Productivity

If conventional cross-linkers are used for polymerization, then polymerization efficiency is improved, but imprint effect is poor due to dense network structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolymerization efficiencyVSAvoidimprint effect
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite cross-linking systems combining peptide cross-linkers (such as glutaraldehyde, adipic acid dihydrazide, or N-hydroxysuccinimide) with traditional cross-linkers. The peptide cross-linkers provide specific recognition elements that enhance imprint effect, while the traditional cross-linkers maintain polymerization efficiency and structural stability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between polymerization efficiency and imprint effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables complete and gentle removal of template proteins while significantly improving the imprint effect, as demonstrated by enhanced adsorption capacity and imprinting factor compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

a peptide crosslinking agent with polymerizable double bonds that undergoes helix-coil transition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelix-coil transition:

Implementation Method 2

the imprinted polymer recognize and selectively recombine target molecules when exposed to a solution containing the template molecules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3722344B1Polyeptide crosslinked protein molecular imprinting polymer, preparation method therefor, and application thereof
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 NANKAI UNIV
  • EP3722344B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3722344B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3722344B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention discloses a peptide-crosslinked protein-imprinted polymer and preparation method and application thereof, which belongs to the technical field of bioseparation engineering. The method comprises the steps of: 1) a main monomer, functional monomers, a peptide crosslinking agent and a template protein are dissolved in an aqueous solution to obtain a mixed solution; 2) an initiator or initiator system is added to the mixed solution to initiate the polymerization when the peptide crosslinking agent exists in a helix conformation; 3) a template-elution step is performed when the peptide chain exists in a coil conformation to obtain a peptide-crosslinked protein-imprinted polymer; the peptide crosslinking agent is a peptide with a polymerizable double bond at its both ends, and being capable of undergoing helix-coil transition.the polypeptide crosslinking agent is a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence which has a polymerizable double bond at its both ends, and being capable of undergoing a helix-coil conformational transformation. The polypeptide cross-linked protein molecule-imprinted polymer disclosed in the invention not only can completely remove the template protein under mild conditions, but also can significantly improve the imprint effect of the protein molecule-imprinted polymer.