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Pluronic–lysozyme conjugates as anti-adhesive and antibacterial bifunctional polymers for surface coating

✍ Scribed by Agnieszka K. Muszanska; Henk J. Busscher; Andreas Herrmann; Henny C. van der Mei; Willem Norde


Book ID
104004069
Publisher
Elsevier Science
Year
2011
Tongue
English
Weight
771 KB
Volume
32
Category
Article
ISSN
0142-9612

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✦ Synopsis


This paper describes the preparation and characterization of polymereprotein conjugates composed of a synthetic triblock copolymer with a central polypropylene oxide (PPO) block and two terminal polyethylene oxide (PEO) segments, Pluronic F-127, and the antibacterial enzyme lysozyme attached to the telechelic groups of the PEO chains. Covalent conjugation of lysozyme proceeded via reductive amination of aldehyde functionalized PEO blocks (CHO-Pluronic) and the amine groups of the lysine residues in the protein. SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis together with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis revealed formation of conjugates of one or two lysozyme molecules per Pluronic polymer chain. The conjugated lysozyme showed antibacterial activity towards Bacillus subtilis. Analysis with a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation revealed that Pluronicelysozyme conjugates adsorb in a brush conformation on a hydrophobic gold-coated quartz surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated surface coverage of 32% by lysozyme when adsorbed from a mixture of unconjugated Pluronic and Pluronicelysozyme conjugate (ratio 99:1) and of 47% after adsorption of 100% Pluronicelysozyme conjugates. Thus, bifunctional brushes were created, possessing both anti-adhesive activity due to the polymer brush, combined with the antibacterial activity of lysozyme. The coating having a lower degree of lysozyme coverage proved to be more bactericidal.