Zinc-Mediated Loading and Release of His-Tagged Recombinant Proteins in Self-Assembling Peptide Coacervates.

ABSTRACT: The development of tunable systems for subcutaneous injection is currently the focus of exploratory protein formulation. For the delivery of protein biologics intended for extended release, a high fraction of the drug that escapes from the deposition site ("burst release") may pose safety concerns. Herein, we report an injectable system of bioaffinity zinc-containing peptide coacervates in which recombinant proteins coexpressed with histidine (His)-tags can be captured and released over time. Coacervates are formed by driving self-assembling peptide (SAP), AEAEAKAKAEAEAKAKHHHHHH (EAKH6) β-sheet dimers, into cross-linking fibrils. In the presence of Zn²⁺, the fibrillization of EAKH6 is enhanced through the interaction of metal ions with histidine residues in the peptide. The Zn

SUBMITTER: Clegg B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12820974 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature