Supramolecular protein glue to boost enzyme activity

Proteins possess many biological functions. However, they can easily degrade or aggregate, thus losing their bioactivity. Therefore, it is very important to develop materials capable of interacting with proteins and forming nanostructures for protein storage and delivery. In this study, we serendipitously found a novel peptide-based supramolecular protein glue (Nap-GFFYK(γE)2-NH2, compound 1) that could co-assemble with proteins into nanofibers and hydrogels. We found that compound 1 rapidly folded into a β-sheet conformation upon contact with many proteins but not with polymers. Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) images clearly show the formation of co-assembled nanofibers by proteins and the peptide. The supramolecular protein glue could improve the dispersion of enzymes (lipase and lysozyme) and therefore enhance their catalytic activity, especially at high temperatures. More importantly, the supramolecular protein glue could co-assemble with two enzymes, glucose oxidase/horseradish peroxidase (GOx/HRP) and GOx/cytochrome c (cyt c), to form nanofibers that significantly enhanced the catalytic activity of tandem enzymatic reactions. We envisioned the great potential of our supramolecular protein glue for protein storage, delivery, and bioactivity manipulation.