Encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles as supports for proteins and recyclable biocatalysts

This paper describes the bioconjugation of histidine-tagged enzymes and other proteins to the surface of composite "magnetomicelles" consisting of magnetic γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles encapsulated within cross-linked polystyrene-block-polyacrylate copolymer micelle shells. Free carboxylic acid groups on the magnetomicelle surface were converted to Cu²⁺-iminodiacetic acid (IDA) for protein capture. The conjugation of T4 DNA ligase and enhanced green fluorescent protein to magnetomicelles revealed that proteins were captured with a high surface density and could be magnetically separated from reaction mixtures and subsequently released from the nanoparticle surface. Additionally, bioconjugation of T7 RNA polymerase yielded a functional enzyme that maintained its biological activity and could be recycled for up to three subsequent transcription reactions. We propose that protein-magnetomicelle bioconjugates are effective for protein bioseparation and enzymatic recycling and further strengthen the idea that nanoparticle surfaces have utility in protein immobilization.