Biological sciences articles within Polymer Journal

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  • Original Article
    | Open Access

    A new peptide carrier that mimics the basic leucine zipper domain (bZIP) of DNA-binding proteins was designed, in which (LU)4 is the leucine zipper motif and (KUA)3 is the basic DNA-binding motif (U = α-aminoisobutyric acid). When mixed with pDNA, (KUA)3-(LU)4 peptide condensed DNA molecules to form nanoparticles. Furthermore, when complexes of the (KUA)3-(LU)4 peptide and pDNA were introduced into the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana), the reporter protein was expressed in plant cells. Thus, (KUA)3-(LU)4 is an efficient carrier of pDNA with high dissociation efficiency.

    • Kota Nomura
    • , Seiya Fujita
    •  & Keiji Numata

  • Original Article
    | Open Access

    Hydrogels have attracted considerable attention in the biomedical applications because of their high functionalities, biocompatibility and biodegradability. This study on the novel hyaluronic acid (HA) nanogel-based hydrogel comprising HA modified with cholesterol derivatives and maleimide crosslinking groups. Depending on the degree of cholesterol derivative substitution, the properties such as water uptake, gelation behavior and protein encapsulation was investigated. The results suggested that the hydrogels enhanced peptide and protein trapping abilities have potential as a new hyaluronan hydrogel for biomedical applications.

    • Kohei Yabuuchi
    • , Toru Katsumata
    •  & Akio Kishida

  • Original Article |

    Ester free type trimethylene carbonate derivatives bearing bulky aromatic groups were designed and synthesized, including one or two benzyl groups, diphenylmethyl groups, and triphenylmethyl groups. The mechanical properties of the polymers were estimated by compressive test, resulting in around 0.3MPa at most. The degradation behaviors were also evaluated under Lipase solution and 0.01M NaOHaq. for several weeks, revealing the substituents influenced on the prevention of degradation at most cases. The degradation behavior was slowly observed, which were analyzed by weight loss, SEM images, SEC, TGA, and DSC.

    • Rikyu Miyake
    •  & Hiroharu Ajiro

  • Original Article |

    Lentinan (Len) is a linear (1,3)-β-d-glucan with two of its five main-chain glucose-bearing (1,6)-β-d-glucan side chains and has been clinically used for cancer treatment in combination with chemotherapy. In this paper, a structural analysis of Len was conducted using SAXS, GPC, and 13C quantitative NMR techniques, and a comparative study with other β-glucans was performed. The complexation between dA40 and Len caused the hypochromic effect. Len and dA40 showed a similar complexation with that of SPG; two main chain glucoses bind to one dA moiety by GPC.

    • Takuya Matsunaga
    • , Kazuki Sumiya
    •  & Kazuo Sakurai

  • Focus Review |

    Peptides are versatile molecular tools with molecular recognition capabilities, high designability, and the capacity for self-assembly. In this focus review, the construction of new bio-nanoarchitectures using our peptide-based technologies is described. First, the construction of functional microtubules was achieved by molecular encapsulation using a Tau-derived peptide. Second, light-induced peptide nanofiber growth was used for the development of artificial motile systems of micrometer-sized spheres. The development of bio-nanoarchitectures by these peptide-based approaches is useful for understanding, mimicking, and controlling natural nano/microstructures.

    • Hiroshi Inaba

  • Original Article
    | Open Access

    The density-dependent changes of avidities between Siglec-8 and the glycan ligand of the α(2 → 6)-sialyl-6-sulfo-N-acetyllactosamine derivative (1) were investigated for the first time. The SAM surfaces with different glycan densities were constructed by changing the ratio of 1 and 3,3′-dithiodipropionic acid (DTPA) on the gold electrode of the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Next, we measured the apparent KD values of 1 with Siglec-8 on the SAM surfaces by the QCM to investigate the effect of the glycan density on the avidity of the Siglec-8 interaction. The results obtained in this study suggest that Siglec-8 has an optimal glycan density (~9.2 × 102 molecules μm−2) for preferred interactions.

    • Risa Naka
    • , Simon Sau Yin Law
    •  & Masashi Ohmae

  • Original Article |

    The relationships between the physical parameters of β–cyclodextrin-based nanoparticles (CDNPs), the behavior of α-mangostin release, and the anticancer efficacy were revealed in this study. It was found that the lifetime of complex (τ2) in slow-release mode was linearly dependent on the nanoparticle density and showed a relationship with anticancer efficacy. We assumed that MGS released from CDNPs would accumulate in the tumor region if the optimal range of τ2 was approximately 90 to 140 h. These results suggest τ2 can be a critical quality attribute for designing our CDNPs.

    • Van Thi Hong Doan
    • , Jun Katsuki
    •  & Kazuo Sakurai

  • Original Article |

    Complex formation of pendant lysine residue-containing zwitterionic random copolymer with copper (II). To remove excess copper in the body, a copolymer (P(MPC/LysA)) comprising 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and l-lysinylacrylamide (LysA) was synthesized via controlled radical polymerization. The copolymer exhibited a zwitterionic structure under physiological conditions due to the pH-independent neutral charge of MPC. The LysA residues were found to form a complex with copper (II) ion (Cu2+) under neutral-basic conditions, with two pendant l-lysine residues forming a complex with one Cu2+ molecule. P(MPC/LysA) has potential for use in removing excess Cu2+ in the body by forming water-soluble aggregates with Cu2+ at physiological pH.

    • Kengo Takagi
    • , Shukanta Bhowmik
    •  & Shin-ichi Yusa

  • Rapid Communication |

    Inspired by mussel adhesion, polydopamine ultrathin films were formed at silicone oil/water interfaces even in neutral solutions. The MCF-7 cells successfully adhered to the oil/water interface without aggregation during cell growth. The interfacial wrinkles were induced by changes in the oil volume and the compressive stress, and the MCF-7 cells adhered to the oil/water interface and were arranged along the wrinkles. The polydopamine interfacial films provide new opportunities to investigate the relationships between toughness and patterns for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

    • Hiroya Abe
    • , Tomoya Ina
    •  & Matsuhiko Nishizawa

  • Focus Review |

    Nucleobase modification of acyclic XNA oligomers achieved functionalization for use as a novel fluorescent probe and photoswitching system. A linear probe, composed of serinol nucleic acid (SNA) and 5-perylenylethynyl uracil residues, enabled quantitative detection of target RNA through a visually observable change in fluorescent color and intensity. A photoresponsive SNA with two 8-pyrenylvinyl adenine (PVA) residues established photocontrol of SNA/RNA duplex formation and dissociation. Using a combination of 8-naphthylvinyl adenine (NVA) and PVA demonstrated orthogonal photocontrol system. Thus, nucleobase modifications further expand the utility of acyclic XNA in bionanotechnology.

    • Keiji Murayama
    • , Yuuhei Yamano
    •  & Hiroyuki Asanuma

  • Original Article |

    PLLA exhibits excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, but its poor hydrophilicity causes less cell adhesion. To address this issue, the bioactive peptide scaffold was synthesized by PLLA fiber substrate modified with an IKVAV peptide and following heat treatment at 60 °C for regulation of cell adhesive. This scaffold has the potential to serve as an in vitro model for investigating the effect of the ECM on glioblastoma multiforme cells and tumor metastasis in white matter tracts.

    • Wan-Ying Huang
    • , Akihisa Otaka
    •  & Tetsuji Yamaoka

  • Focus Review
    | Open Access

    This review outlines the research across the areas of polymer chemistry and cryobiology We discuss the solutions to problems in cryobiology from the viewpoint of polymeric materials science and the applications of polymer-based cryobiology for biomedical applications. We explain how the recent advances in polymer research have enabled the development of innovative polymeric cryoprotectants with novel mechanisms and the development of state-of-the-art methods for the intracellular delivery of substances, such as drugs, using a cryobiological technique called the freeze-concentration effect.

    • Kazuaki Matsumura
    • , Robin Rajan
    •  & Sana Ahmed

  • Note |

    The new strategy of two different AS-ODNs (targeting K-ras and YB-1) being delivered simultaneously to the same target cancer cell was investigated using the quantized complex made from AS-ODNs and short β-glucan (schizophyllan (SPG)). We used the quantized complex properties to prepare both end complexes with AS-ODNs on both ends. Both end complexes silenced two target genes and showed high inhibition of cancer cell growth. The results indicate that both end complexes can deliver two antisense sequences at the same time and show a synergistic effect.

    • Yuki Hata
    • , Kazuki Sumiya
    •  & Kazuo Sakurai

  • Rapid Communication |

    We demonstrated biomolecular motors driven swarming of microtubules and their dissociation under UV and visible light irradiation, respectively. A photoresponsive molecule, para tert-butyl-substituted azobenzene was incorporated to the backbone of single strand DNA, which functions as a photoswitch to control the swarming of microtubules in a reversible manner. This work is expected to expand the potential applications of biomolecular motors in developing photoregulated molecular machines.

    • Satsuki Ishii
    • , Mousumi Akter
    •  & Akira Kakugo

  • Original Article |

    The drug release behaviors of gelatin hydrogels prepared with polymers in terms of their rheological properties were evaluated. In the oscillatory strain sweep, gelatin/HPMCP hydrogels showed a higher crossover strain (Tan δ = 1) than gelatin and gelatin/Eudragit® hydrogels. Thus, gelatin/HPMCP hydrogels had the property of elastic hydrocolloids and tended to keep the platform compared with other sample hydrogels. As a result, the drug release from gelatin/HPMCP hydrogels was delayed compared with other sample hydrogels at pH 1.2.

    • Satoshi Nogami
    • , Kazunori Kadota
    •  & Yuichi Tozuka

  • Focus Review |

    Among stimuli-responsive polymers, thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) is the most widely investigated. PNIPAAm-based polymers can undergo appropriate changes in response to their external environment. In this focus review, recent advancements in the applications of stimuli-responsive polymers based on PNIPAAm in biomedical fields are summarized, with an emphasis on our own research. In particular, a summary of the design of polymers for application in the separation and purification of (bio)pharmaceutical products and controlled cellular uptake is provided.

    • Yuki Hiruta

  • Review
    | Open Access

    Academia and industry are interested in using autotrophic microorganisms as a sustainable/green production platform to produce biochemical products and commercially relevant commodities, including biopolymers. Unlike heterotrophs that require carbohydrates and amino acids for growth, autotrophs have evolved to fix carbon dioxide and drive metabolic processes utilizing either light (photoautotrophs) or chemical compounds (chemolithotrophs) as energy sources. Here, we review the current state-of-the-art in the construction of autotrophic microbial cell factories for efficient biopolymer production and recent breakthroughs in natural autotrophs focusing on biopolymer production.

    • Pisanee Srisawat
    • , Mieko Higuchi-Takeuchi
    •  & Keiji Numata

  • Original Article |

    We describe the synthesis of polycarbonate (PC) by means of the polycondensation of diol formate and dialkyl carbonate through an ester-carbonate exchange reaction. Furthermore, the polycondensation of diol formate and diethyl carbonate in the presence of polyester (PEs) under reduced pressure affords a statistical copolymer of PC and PEs. The composition of PC and PEs in the copolymer can be arbitrarily altered by changing the feed ratio of the monomers to PEs.

    • Takayoshi Katoh
    • , Maai Saso
    •  & Tsutomu Yokozawa

  • Original Article
    | Open Access

    PLA-pectin biocomposites were prepared at pectin contents from 2 to 8% w/w. The mechanical properties of PLA-pectin were considerably improved after the annealing process, especially at 4% w/w of pectin according to being the best dispersion indicated by SEM and synchrotron-based FT-IR mapping. Moreover, pectin aids in the crystallization of PLA confirmed by in situ SR-WAXS. The crystallization rate and crystallinity were maximum at 8% w/w pectin addition. Finally, the pectin dispersion is the main factor in determining the mechanical and thermal properties of biocomposites.

    • Apiwat Satsum
    • , Wutthikrai Busayaporn
    •  & Chokchai Wanapu

  • Review |

    In this review, we overview the recent advances associated with seminal findings in the development of nucleic acid-based fluorescent sensor systems aimed at application for exploring intracellular phenomena. We described the fluorescence signal generation mechanisms of each nucleic acid-based fluorescent sensor, including molecular beacon and quencher-free linear probes, as well as aptamer or DNAzyme-based systems. In addition, cascade hybridization chain reaction and catalyzed hairpin assembly are introduced as methods for amplifying fluorescence signals under isothermal conditions.

    • Aya Shibata
    • , Sayuri L. Higashi
    •  & Masato Ikeda

  • Focus Review |

    Bacterial cellulose (BC) has been utilized as a biopolymer matrix for various applications. The advancement of synthetic biology has brought new approaches for its production and functionalization. In this mini-review, we briefly discuss the conventional methods employed to improve BC production and functionalization as well as their challenges. We summarize the applications of synthetic biology to address the challenges and its use to develop novel hybrid living materials. Finally, we consider the opportunities and future prospects of synthetic biology and engineered biological materials.

    • Sundaravadanam Vishnu Vadanan
    • , Anindya Basu
    •  & Sierin Lim

  • Original Article |

    Molecular imprinting of methylene blue (MB), a small cationic dye, was conducted to free-standing films prepared from polyion complexes of chondroitin sulfate and chitosan. Molecular permeability of the MB-imprinted films in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was evaluated. MB, orange II and porphyrin derivatives were used as permeants to clarify the effects of charge and size of the permeant on the permeation behaviors. In the case of porphyrin derivatives, the inner voids of the films were not significant for the permeation behavior, but the surface charges of the films were important.

    • Takuya Sagawa
    • , Masaya Oishi
    •  & Mineo Hashizume

  • Original Article |

    We developed pDNA/polysaccharide complexes suitable for reverse transfection (RTF) and investigated their transfection mechanisms. The pDNA/chitosan/hyaluronic acid ternary complexes showed excellent transfection efficiency in RTF compared with the conventional forward transfection (FTF). The ternary complexes were taken up via macropinocytosis in RTF. Furthermore, the ternary complexes in RTF were transported to late endosomes via microtubules, and were remarkably accumulated in the nucleus. These results suggest that the cell transfection efficiency of the ternary complexes in RTF was enhanced by their efficient delivery to the nucleus via late endosomes.

    • Takahiro Arai
    • , Yu Aiki
    •  & Toshinori Sato

  • Review |

    Research advances in the extraction, structural and conformational characteristics, and biological activities (antitumor, anti-inflammation, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic activity) of β-glucans from three fungi, Auricularia auricula judae, Lentinus edodes and yeast, as typical representatives, were reviewed, as well as the potential mechanism and the structure-function relationship. Additionally, as-fabricated β-glucan-derived nanocomposite biomaterials as carriers for delivering drugs, genes, nanoparticles, and fluorescence probes were addressed.

    • Huanhuan Chen
    • , Ningyue Liu
    •  & Xiaojuan Xu

  • Original Article |

    Molecular dynamics simulation of chitosan and anionic oligosaccharides was conduced to elucidate the formation mechanism and structure of polyion complex (PIC) of polysaccharides. The association of oligosaccharides with scrambled structure indicated that PIC of polysaccharides takes on the structure of “Scrambled egg model”. The formation of hydrogen bond between deprotonated chitosan and anionic oligosaccharides suggested that hydrogen bonds contribute to the stabilization of PIC under neutral condition.

    • Makoto Yamazaki
    • , Makoto Yabe
    •  & Kazutoshi Iijima

  • Original Article
    | Open Access

    Cellulose chains with a reducing-end thiol group are of interest to install a controllable topochemical pattern of site-selective modification into nanocellulose materials. Selection of the polymerizing enzyme (cellodextrin phosphorylase; CdP) was pursued here to enhance the synthetic precision in the preparation of 1-thio-cellulose. The CdP from Clostridium stercorarium (CsCdP) was identified as a practical catalyst for 1-thio-cellulose synthesis in high purity (≥95%) directly from β-1-thio-glucose. The synthesis proceeds without the need of cellobiose phosphorylase (CbP) and minimizes the contamination (plain cellulose; ≤5%) in the product.

    • Chao Zhong
    •  & Bernd Nidetzky

  • Focus Review |

    A supramolecular complex termed “hemoCD1” was constructed as the aqueous synthetic Hb/Mb model using a 1:1 inclusion complex of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(II) with a per-O-methylated β-cyclodextrin dimer with a pyridine linker. HemoCD1 was used as a selective CO scavenger in vivo due to its extremely high binding affinity to CO. In addition, hemoCD1 was utilized to quantify the accumulation of endogenous and exogenous CO in organs/tissues. Finally, hemoCD1 was employed as an antidote for CO poisoning in animals.

    • Hiroaki Kitagishi
    •  & Qiyue Mao

  • Review |

    Hydrophobically modified polysaccharides have attracted considerable attention in the biomedical field because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and nontoxicity. This article reviews previous studies on micellar structures formed by hydrophobically modified polysaccharides (pullulan and amylose) in aqueous solutions by static and dynamic light scattering, small angle X-ray and neutron scattering, and fluorescence from pyrene solubilized in the polymer solution. Depending on the degree of substitution, the hydrophobically modified polysaccharides exist in aqueous solution as full or loose flower necklaces or as nanogels made up of randomly branched polymers.

    • Takahiro Sato
    • , Jia Yang
    •  & Ken Terao

  • Review |

    TEMPO-catalyzed oxidation enables efficient and position-selective conversion of primary hydroxy groups in water-soluble and -insoluble polysaccharides to sodium carboxylate groups. TEMPO/NaBr/NaClO in water at pH 10 is an advantageous system in terms of the degrees of oxidation and reaction rates. Various new water-soluble TEMPO-oxidized polysaccharides have been prepared by TEMPO-catalyzed oxidation, and they have unique properties and functionalities. When crystalline native cellulose and chitin are oxidized by the TEMPO/NaBr/NaClO system under suitable conditions, the obtained water-insoluble oxidized products can be converted to characteristic nanomaterials by mechanical disintegration in water.

    • Akira Isogai

  • Original Article |

    To clarify the role of lateral deformation of condensed polymer surface on cell adhesion, the responses of cell spreading were characterized at a cell culture temperature on the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted surfaces with different degree of graft-polymerization (DGP). A clear negative correlation between cell spreading and DGP of PNIPAAm was found regardless of the amount of fibronectin adsorbed on the substrates. The microscopic local strain of the condensed polymers by cellular traction forces was considered to modulate the density distribution of adsorbed adhesive ligands beneath the focal adhesions and the cell spreading.

    • Sayaka Masaike
    • , Saori Sasaki
    •  & Satoru Kidoaki

  • Focus Review |

    Relationship between the primary structures and their properties is recognized as an important research subject for polymer chemists. To make progress in this academic field, innovative synthetic procedures of cyclic polymers are essential. The synthetic strategy has two typical pathways: one is the ring closure of functional linear polymers and the other is ring expansion polymerization using cyclic monomers, an initiator, or a catalyst. This focus review deals with the recent synthetic evolution of cyclic polymers, focusing on our new strategy: ring closing without highly dilute conditions.

    • Yuki Muramatsu
    •  & Akinori Takasu

  • Review |

    “Breath figure formation” during the casting process of polymer solutions under high atmospheric humidity provides honeycomb-patterned polymer films (honeycomb films) with regularly arranged micropores. The development of production technology for large-area honeycomb films is indispensable for their various applications. Manufacturing equipment consisting of three zones (for casting, humidification, and drying of polymer solutions) for successive formation of large-area honeycomb films was newly designed and constructed. By using this equipment, physicochemical experimental parameters, e.g., the surface temperature of polymer solutions, dew point of the humidification zone, humidification time, and interfacial tension between water and the polymer solution, were effectively changed to optimize the density and size of condensed water droplets. Large-area honeycomb films were formed by a roll-to-roll process. Herein, recent developments in biomedical applications of honeycomb films are described.

    • Hidekazu Yamazaki
    • , Soichi Kohashi
    •  & Masatsugu Shimomura

  • Original Article |

    Polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers of (2R,3R)-3-hydroxy-2-methylbutyrate and (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate [P(3H2MB-co-3HB)] with various comonomer compositions were biosynthesized using recombinant Escherichia coli. Furthermore, solvent fractionation of P(3H2MB-co-3HB) was performed to obtain copolymers with narrow comonomer-unit compositional distributions. The melting temperature (Tm) of P(3H2MB-co-3HB) as a function of the comonomer content indicated isodimorphism of the copolymer. The fast crystallization behavior of P(3H2MB) was maintained even when it was copolymerized with 3HB. The P(80 mol% 3H2MB-co-3HB) copolymer, with a Tm close to that of P(3HB), exhibited faster crystallization behavior than the P(3HB) homopolymer.

    • Sho Furutate
    • , Hideki Abe
    •  & Takeharu Tsuge

  • Focus Review |

    Silk fibroin (SF) is a natural protein polymer material and has been fabricated and studied as a scaffold for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. To append new functions to SF scaffolds and understand their in vivo behaviors, researchers have addressed modifications of SF scaffolds by using transgenic silkworm and peptide modification technologies. These modified SF scaffolds had on-target functions and showed their potential as a material for tissue engineering applications. This review summarizes the methodologies and characteristics of functionalized SF scaffolds.

    • Yusuke Kambe

  • Original Article |

    In this work, we employed Carbothane® electrospun matrices (PCU) for lysine surface modification, using oligomers obtained from allyl glycidyl ether (AGE) reaction as spacers. The incorporation of AGE oligomers significantly reduced the nonspecific protein adsorption, while further modification with lysine led to a more pronounced decrease. The lysine-modified matrices presented increased plasminogen adsorption capacity and in vitro clot lysis ability, confirming the plasminogen adsorption selectivity and thus improving the hemocompatibility behavior of these matrices.

    • Alfonso Pepe
    • , Maria Gabriela Guevara
    •  & Pablo Christian Caracciolo

  • Focus Review
    | Open Access

    Boronic acids (BA) are known for their ability to reversibly interact with the diol groups, a common motif of biomolecules including sugars, ribose, and catechols. One can tailor BAs to elicit a divergent profile of binding strength and specificity on the basis of stereochemistry and controlled electronic effects. This focus review provides an overview of a phenylboronic acid (PBA)-based, totally synthetic platform for insulin delivery applications developed in our group, with focuses on the development of new PBA derivatives, glucose-responsive gels, and the gel-combined medical devices.

    • Akira Matsumoto
    •  & Siyuan Chen

  • Original Article |

    A transparent film with photoactive antiviral functions and minimal degradation over time was easily obtained by uniformly dispersing the phenoxy-substituted phthalocyanine zinc (PPcZn) in the cellulose acetate film. This film produced singlet oxygen (1O2) upon visible light irradiation, and the production capacity of 1O2 was maintained even when the film was exposed to indoor lighting for 6 months.

    • Nobuyuki Harada
    • , Kiyoshi Masuda
    •  & Hiroshi Uyama

  • Original Article |

    This study presents a simple and general platform for the efficient loading and delivery of proteins using a methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(L-phosphotyrosine) (mPEG-b-PpY)-templated calcium phosphate (CaP) hybrid nanoparticle. Recombinant proteins bearing a histidine tag can be conveniently loaded onto the hybrid CaP nanoparticles doped with Zn2+ (CaP-Zn) by coordination. Nanoparticle can be protected the protein from proteolytic degradation and effectively delivered to intracellular spaces. This work may open up opportunities for intracellular delivery of recombinant protein therapeutics.

    • Haisen Zhou
    • , Yaoyi Wang
    •  & Hua Lu

  • Original Article |

    Scaling relations of pulling translocation of a polymer globule through nanopores is studied by using the Langevin dynamics simulations. Under a constant pulling force, the scaling exponent is dependent on the intrapolymer interaction strength. Whereas under a constant pulling speed, it is independent of the intrapolymer interaction strength for sufficiently long polymer chains. The conformational changes of the polymer chain during the translocation and the entropic and enthalpic forces due to the straight conformation at the trans side play important roles on the pulling translocation of a polymer globule.

    • Xian Chen
    • , Jia Chen
    •  & Meng-Bo Luo

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