Proteins as Copolymers in Hydrophobic Polymers

[408438] Russell这个项目是通过将酶附着在有机聚合物上来研究酶在有机介质中的行为。特别是，酶将被固定在聚乙二醇（PEG）链的疏水基质上。这将允许酶溶解在有机溶剂中，同时保持活性。将酶附着在聚合物上的方法是：(1)用丙烯酸酯末端的PEG将酶直接功能化，在有机溶剂中产生酶，然后(2)将酶的大单体与乙烯基单体溶液共聚。研究酶在这种环境下的稳定性、活性和特异性，以及聚合物宏观结构对酶催化反应整体动力学的影响。此外，还将研究聚合物孔隙度、酶负载、固定化前酶修饰程度、聚合物疏水性、其他物理性质和传质对蛋白质活性的影响。在这项研究中使用的特殊酶是有机磷水解酶，这种酶可以降解某些杀虫剂，如对硫磷，以及某些类型的神经毒气。这项研究可以通过高毒性化合物的生物降解对环境产生影响。＊＊＊

9408438 Russell This project is on research to study the behavior of enzymes in organic media by attachment of an enzyme to an organic polymer. In particular, an enzyme will be fixed to a hydrophobic matrix of polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains. This would allow the enzyme to dissolve in an organic solvent while maintaining activity. The enzyme would be attached to a polymer by: (1) direct functionalization of the enzyme with an acrylate-terminal PEG to produce an enzyme in an organic solvent, followed by (2) solution copolymerization of the enzyme macromonomer with a vinyl monomer. Studies of the enzyme stability, activity and specificity in this environment, as well as studies on the effects of polymer macrostructure on the overall kinetics of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction will be performed. Also, a study of protein activity as effected by polymer porosity, enzyme loading, the extent of enzyme modification prior to immobilization, polymer hydrophobicity, other physical properties, and mass transfer will be performed. The particular enzyme to be used in this research is organophosphorous hydrolase, and enzyme which can degrade certain insecticides such as parathion, and certain types of nerve gases. This research could have environmental impact through the biodegradation of highly toxic compounds. ***