Hughes, M.D.G. orcid.org/0000-0001-5838-7939, West, D., Wurr, R. orcid.org/0000-0002-7127-5859 et al. (6 more authors) (2025) Competition between cross-linking and force-induced local conformational changes determines the structure and mechanics of labile protein networks. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 678 (Part C). pp. 1259-1269. ISSN 0021-9797
Abstract
Folded protein hydrogels are emerging as promising new materials for medicine and healthcare applications. Folded globular proteins can be modelled as colloids which exhibit site specific cross-linking for controlled network formation. However, folded proteins have inherent mechanical stability and unfolded in response to an applied force. It is not yet understood how colloidal network theory maps onto folded protein hydrogels and whether it models the impact of protein unfolding on network properties. To address this, we study a hybrid system which contains folded proteins (patchy colloids) and unfolded proteins (biopolymers). We use a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), to explore network architecture and mechanics in folded protein hydrogels. We alter both the photo-chemical cross-linking reaction rate and the mechanical properties of the protein building block, via illumination intensity and redox removal of robust intra-protein covalent bonds, respectively. This dual approach, in conjunction with rheological and structural techniques, allows us to show that while reaction rate can ‘fine-tune’ the mechanical and structural properties of protein hydrogels, it is the force-lability of the protein which has the greatest impact on network architecture and rigidity. To understand these results, we consider a colloidal model which successfully describes the behaviour of the folded protein hydrogels but cannot account for the behaviour observed in force-labile hydrogels containing unfolded protein. Alternative models are needed which combine the properties of colloids (folded proteins) and biopolymers (unfolded proteins) in cross-linked networks. This work provides important insights into the accessible design space of folded protein hydrogels without the need for complex and costly protein engineering, aiding the development of protein-based biomaterials.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
Keywords: | Colloidal networks; Mechanics; Force-induced unfolding; Biomaterial design |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Biological Sciences (Leeds) > School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Physics and Astronomy (Leeds) > Molecular & Nanoscale Physics The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Computing (Leeds) > Computation Science & Engineering |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 14 Oct 2024 13:00 |
Last Modified: | 24 Jan 2025 11:29 |
Published Version: | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.09.183 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:218293 |