Nano-structured Hydrotrope-Caged Cytochrome c with Boosted Stability in Harsh Environments: A Molecular Insight

Abstract

AbstractGreen and nano-structured catalytic media are vital for bio-catalysis to attenuate the denaturation tendency of biocata-lysts under severe reaction conditions. Hydrotropes with multi-faceted physiochemical properties represent promising systems for sustainable protein packaging. Herein, the suitability of adenosine-5’-triphosphate (ATP) and cholinium sa-licylate ([Cho][Sal]) ionic liquid (IL) to form nano-structures and to nano-confine Cytochrome c (Cyt c) were demonstrat-ed to enhance the stability and activity under multiple stressors. Experimental and computational analyses were under-taken to explain the nano-structured phenomenon of ATP and IL, structural organizations of nano-confined Cyt c, and site-specific interactions that stabilize the protein structure. Both ATP and IL form nano-structures in aqueous media and could cage Cyt c via multiple nonspecific soft interactions. Remarkably, the engineered molecular nano-cages of ATP (5-10 mM), IL (300 mg/mL), and ATP+IL surrounding Cyt c resulted in 9-to-72-fold higher peroxidase activity than native Cyt c with exceptionally high thermal tolerance (110oC). The polar interactions with the cardiolipin binding site of Cyt c, mediated by hydrotropes, were well correlated with the increased peroxidase activity. Furthermore, higher activity trends were observed in the presence of urea, GuHCl, and trypsin without any protein degradation. Specific binding of hy-drotropes in highly mobile regions of Cyt c (Ω 40-54 residues) and enhanced H-bonding with Lys and Arg offered excel-lent stability under extreme conditions. Additionally, ATP effectively counteracted reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced denaturation of Cyt c, which was enhanced by the [Sal] counterpart of IL. Overall, this study explored the robustness of nano-structured hydrotropes to have a higher potential for protein packaging with improved stability and activity under extreme conditions. Thus, the present work highlights a novel strategy for real-time industrial bio-catalysis to protect mitochondrial cells from ROS-instigated apoptosis.SummarySuitability of ATP and [Cho][Sal] ionic liquid to form nanostructured hydrotropes and their utility in protein packaging in extreme conditions are discussed. Both ATP and IL form nanostructures in aqueous media and could cage Cyt c via multiple nonspecific soft interactions. The engineered molecular nanocages surrounding Cyt c resulted in 9-to-72-fold higher peroxidase activity than native Cyt c with exceptionally high thermal tolerance (110°C) and stability in the presence of urea, GuHCl, and trypsin without any protein degradation.