Design, synthesis, and activity of nanocellulosic protease sensors

Authors: Edwards, Judson - Vince; Fontenot, Krystal; Prevost, Nicolette; French, Alfred - Al; Condon, Brian

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/2/2016
Publication Date: 7/21/2016
Citation: Edwards, J.V., Fontenot, K.R., Prevost, N.T., French, A.D., Condon, B.D. 2016. Design, synthesis, and activity of nanocellulosic protease sensors. International Carbohhydrate Symposium. 106.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Here we contrast the molecular assembly, and biochemical utility of nanocellulosic materials prepared from cotton and wood as protease sensors. The cotton-based nanocellulosic substrates were prepared in a variety of ways to produce nanocrystals, films and aerogels, which were derivatized with either a fluorescent or colorimetric peptide substrate of the protease human neutrophil elastase. The resulting protease sensor materials were evaluated as potential diagnostic point of care sensors for efficacy at protease concentrations found in vivo. The nanocellulosic sensors were compared and contrasted for the effect of specific surface area, porosity, crystallinity, and dressing compatibility with actual protease sensitivity. Considerations of the relative disposition of the carbohydrate portion of the sensor which serves as the transducer surface versus the peptide transducer were evaluated with computational and crystal models, and structure activity relations demonstrated in light of the protease kinetic profiles. In some cases the carbohydrate-peptide conjugate appeared to have higher binding affinity for the protease when attached to the nanocellulosic solid support than in solution.