作者:Shuhei Murayama、Masaru Kato
DOI:10.1021/ac1003757
日期:2010.3.15
Because proteins show high activity and are essential for biological function, proteins are important and useful biomolecules; however, it is hard to control activities whenever and wherever required. Although some photoactivated proteins have been reported to date, such proteins have required a protein-specific design and site-specific chemical modification. We have recently developed a method to encapsulate proteins within hydrogels that can be photocleaved with ultraviolet (UV) light, thus releasing the proteins; we refer to this method as “protein activation and release from cage by external light (PARCEL).” Biological activities of protein restricted by hydrogel encapsulation were recovered by applying external light to the protein-hydrogel. We also used these hydrogels to screen selective ligands as therapeutic agents for disease. This innovative technique for basic research in biology and biochemistry might also be useful in practical or clinical applications, such as biosensing, catalysis, and drug delivery.
由于蛋白质显示出很高的活性,并且是生物功能所必需的,因此蛋白质是重要而有用的生物大分子;然而,很难随时随地控制蛋白质的活性。虽然迄今为止已有一些光活化蛋白质的报道,但这些蛋白质需要特定的蛋白质设计和特定位点的化学修饰。我们最近开发了一种将蛋白质封装在水凝胶中的方法,这种水凝胶可以用紫外线(UV)光裂解,从而释放蛋白质;我们将这种方法称为 "外部光激活并从笼子中释放蛋白质(PARCEL)"。我们将这种方法称为 "通过外部光激活蛋白质并将其从笼子中释放(PARCEL)"。通过对蛋白质-水凝胶施加外部光,可以恢复被水凝胶封装限制的蛋白质的生物活性。我们还利用这些水凝胶筛选选择性配体作为治疗疾病的药物。这种用于生物学和生物化学基础研究的创新技术也可能在生物传感、催化和药物输送等实际或临床应用中发挥作用。