Insights on Chemical Crosslinking Strategies for Proteins

Molecules. 2022 Nov 22;27(23):8124. doi: 10.3390/molecules27238124.

Abstract

Crosslinking of proteins has gained immense significance in the fabrication of biomaterials for various health care applications. Various novel chemical-based strategies are being continuously developed for intra-/inter-molecular crosslinking of proteins to create a network/matrix with desired mechanical/functional properties without imparting toxicity to the host system. Many materials that are used in biomedical and food packaging industries are prepared by chemical means of crosslinking the proteins, besides the physical or enzymatic means of crosslinking. Such chemical methods utilize the chemical compounds or crosslinkers available from natural sources or synthetically generated with the ability to form covalent/non-covalent bonds with proteins. Such linkages are possible with chemicals like carbodiimides/epoxides, while photo-induced novel chemical crosslinkers are also available. In this review, we have discussed different protein crosslinking strategies under chemical methods, along with the corresponding crosslinking reactions/conditions, material properties and significant applications.

Keywords: biomaterials; chemical crosslinkers; drug delivery; protein crosslinking; protein materials.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials* / chemistry
  • Carbodiimides
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Food Packaging
  • Proteins* / chemistry

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Proteins
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Carbodiimides

Grants and funding

The authors thank Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai campus, India, for their support and constant encouragement in preparing this review. We are also grateful to DST SERB for their financial support (DST Project id: YSS/2014/00296) to perform experiments for preliminary investigations. Mohammed Mujahid Alam is also grateful to the Deanship of Scientific Research, King Khalid University, for their support through the Large Research Group Project number [R.G.P. 2/59/1443].