Title:
A zwitterionic polymer for the effective suppression of protein aggregation

Speaker(s):
Robin Rajan, Kazuaki Matsumura (JAIST)

Abstract:
In this report, we have developed a zwitterionic polymer (poly-sulfobetaine; poly-SPB) for thermal aggregation inhibition of lysozyme. Lysozyme did not aggregate when heated in the presence of this polymer, and its efficiency was higher than some of the previously well-known reagents. Presence of poly-SPB in lysozyme solution suppressed amyloid formation and also helped in retention of its enzymatic activity, even after prolonged heating. Poly-SPB facilitated retention of partial higher order structures and lysozyme solubility at higher temperatures. The high efficiency of the polyampholyte was ascribed to its ability to prevent collisions between aggregating species by acting as a molecular shield.