Polymer Conjugation to Enhance Cellulase Activity and Preserve Thermal and Functional Stability.

A thermophilic cellulase, FnCel5a, from Fervidobacterium nodosum was conjugated with various functional polymers including cationic, anionic, and strongly and weakly hydrogen bonding polymers. The activity of FnCel5a toward a high-molecular-weight carboxymethyl cellulose substrate was enhanced by polymer conjugation. Activity enhancements of 50% or greater observed for acrylamide and mixed N,N-dimethyl acrylamide-2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate polymers, suggesting that the greatest enhancements were caused by polymers capable of noncovalent interactions with the substrate.

Polymer Structure and Conformation Alter the Antigenicity of Virus-like Particle-Polymer Conjugates.

Covalent conjugation of water-soluble polymers to proteins is critical for evading immune surveillance in the field of biopharmaceuticals. The most common and long-standing polymer modification is the attachment of methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG), termed PEGylation, which has led to several clinically approved pharmaceuticals. Recent data indicate that brush-type polymers significantly enhance in vitro and in vivo properties.