Enzymatic encoding of topology in an intrinsically disordered single-chain protein

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Joshua Johani - , Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, University of Stellenbosch (Autor:in)
  • Kristin Eichelberger - , Professur für Lebensmitteltechnik (Autor:in)
  • Olga Guskova - , Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Simbulele Charlotte Dunwa - , University of Stellenbosch (Autor:in)
  • Hans Bolinsson - , Lund University (Autor:in)
  • Anja-Maria Börjesdottir - , Lund University (Autor:in)
  • Lars Nilsson - , Lund University (Autor:in)
  • Doris Jaros - , Professur für Lebensmitteltechnik (Autor:in)
  • Harald Rohm - , Professur für Lebensmitteltechnik (Autor:in)
  • Albena Lederer - , Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, University of Stellenbosch (Autor:in)

Abstract

Controlling the three-dimensional topology of single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) remains a central challenge in polymer and protein chemistry, particularly for intrinsically disordered systems lacking defined secondary structure. Here, we demonstrate that selective enzymatic intramolecular cross-linking can encode topologically biased interactions in an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), yielding compact SCNPs with reproducible cavity architecture. Using β-casein-rich sodium caseinate (βNaCn) as a model surrogate for bovine β-casein (β-Cn), microbial transglutaminase (mTGase) introduces sparse, sequence-resolved glutamine-lysine isopeptide bonds that drive reproducible chain collapse without inducing secondary structure. Analyses by size exclusion chromatography with quintuple detection (SEC-D5), cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS), molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and SEC coupled to synchrotron small-angle x-ray scattering (SEC-SAXS) converge to reveal a topology combining a stable, compact, hydrophobic core with flexible, disordered loops. These cavities are probed using Nile red (NR) fluorescence and SEC-SAXS, which together provide topology information via guest-induced density redistribution after NR capture. This work establishes that sparse enzymatic constraint installation, combined with residue-resolved cross-link mapping and orthogonal structural analysis, can encode and validate topology in a disordered single chain, thereby placing IDP-like covalent folding in direct conceptual continuity with SCNP design.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummere3738676
Seitenumfang8
FachzeitschriftAngewandte Chemie International Edition
PublikationsstatusElektronische Veröffentlichung vor Drucklegung - 26 Mai 2026
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

Scopus 105040379473

Schlagworte

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Schlagwörter

  • SEC-SAXS, enzymatic cross-linking, topology encoding, intrinsically disordered proteins, single-chain nanoparticles