biostudies-literatureUnknown6(35)Posey NDNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyA synthetic strategy yielded polyelectrolytes and polyampholytes with tunable net charge for complexation and protein binding. Organocatalytic ring-opening polymerizations yielded aliphatic polycarbonates that were functionalized with both carboxylate and ammonium side chains in a post-polymerization, radical-mediated thiol-ene reaction. Incorporating net charge into the polymer architecture altered the chain dimensions in phosphate buffered solution in a manner consistent with self-complexation and complexation behavior with model proteins. A net cationic polyampholyte with 5% of carboxylate side chains formed large clusters rather than small complexes with bovine serum albumin, while 50% carboxylate polyampholyte was insoluble. Overall, the aliphatic polycarbonates with varying net charge exhibited different macrophase solution behaviors when mixed with protein, where self-complexation appears to compete with protein binding and larger-scale complexation.ACS omega22589-22602https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8427630biostudies-literatureTuning Net Charge in Aliphatic Polycarbonates Alters Solubility and Protein Complexation Behavior.PMC8427630Danischewski JFagan JAPrabhu VMMa YPosey NDLueckheide MfalseTuning Net Charge in Aliphatic Polycarbonates Alters Solubility and Protein Complexation Behavior.A synthetic strategy yielded polyelectrolytes and polyampholytes with tunable net charge for complexation and protein binding. Organocatalytic ring-opening polymerizations yielded aliphatic polycarbonates that were functionalized with both carboxylate and ammonium side chains in a post-polymerization, radical-mediated thiol-ene reaction. Incorporating net charge into the polymer architecture altered the chain dimensions in phosphate buffered solution in a manner consistent with self-complexation and complexation behavior with model proteins. A net cationic polyampholyte with 5% of carboxylate side chains formed large clusters rather than small complexes with bovine serum albumin, while 50% carboxylate polyampholyte was insoluble. Overall, the aliphatic polycarbonates with varying net charge exhibited different macrophase solution behaviors when mixed with protein, where self-complexation appears to compete with protein binding and larger-scale complexation.2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Sep2024-02-15T03:50:22.245Z2022-02-11T10:49:10.175ZS-EPMC84276303451423110.1021/acsomega.1c02523