1. Introduction
Protein adsorption on polymer membranes is reflected in many important applications, such as biomaterials [
1,
2], marine antifouling [
3,
4], diagnostic tools [
5,
6,
7], food processing and packaging [
8,
9], health equipment [
10,
11], and medical products [
12,
13]. Polymer films with or without protein coating showed completely different characteristics, especially immobilization of specific proteins on surface acoustic wave (SAW) delay lines for biosensing applications [
14]. Therefore, understanding the adsorption process of protein and polymer is very important for predicting, controlling, and manipulating protein adsorption to design suitable composite membranes for expected applications [
15]. The adsorption of protein on the polymer surface is complex. The charge distribution of protein and polymer [
16,
17], hydrophobicity [
18,
19], protein size [
20,
21], structural stability [
18,
22], polymer molecular weight [
23,
24,
25], surface morphology [
26,
27,
28], chemical properties [
29,
30,
31], as well as ambient temperature [
32], pH value [
17,
33], ionic strength [
34,
35] have significant effects on the adsorption process.
The adsorption of protein on polymer has been widely reported [
36,
37,
38,
39,
40,
41] as summarized in
Table 1. The protein adsorption mechanism mainly focuses on one or more of van der Waals (VDW), electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The interaction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and poly (carboxybetaine methacrylate) (PCBMA) and hydrophilic poly [oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] (POEGMA) in NaCl aqueous solution was studied by total internal reflection microscope (TIRM) [
36]. Both surface charge and polymer brush length affect protein adsorption through electrostatic repulsion and spatial repulsion, respectively. The adsorption mechanism of BSA on polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) surface was investigated by surface tension components (STC) and Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) theory [
37]. The immobilization of BSA on the polymer was determined by static adsorption experiments. There was no direct correlation between the adsorption capacity of BSA and HSP, and the immobilized BSA was increased with increasing VDW component of surface tension. The comprehensive characterization of BSA on polyethersulfone (PES) surface was conducted by scanning electron microscope (SEM), attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), contact angle, zeta potential [
38]. Surface charge density measurement showed that the adsorption of BSA on PES was irreversible at pH > 4.7 due to the strong electrostatic interaction between BSA and PES. The amount of β-lactoglobulin adsorbed on PES membrane was calculated by Freundlich adsorption isotherm model [
39]. The β-lactoglobulin dimer structure was dissociated into a monomer structure under acidic and alkaline conditions, and the hydrophobic interaction between the protein and the membrane enhanced the protein adsorption. The interaction between different immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) and polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles with different surface charges [
40], showed that different immunoglobulins had favorable interactions with neutral charged surfaces, and hydrophobic interactions were crucial for the adsorption of proteins and nanoparticles. Single-molecule microscopy was used to study the kinetics of α-Lactalbumin (α-LA) and Lysozyme at the interface of uncharged PS with different molecular weights [
41]. The α-LA showed interfacial adsorption-desorption, while lysozyme experienced random walk at the interface, and the residence time of the two proteins depended on the molecular weight of the polymer. If the short-range hydrophobic interaction was dominated, the blocking kinetics displayed by lysozyme is determined by the free volume of PS.
Despite experimental studies given an account of protein immobilization, it is still challenging to understand its molecular mechanism. The implementation of molecular dynamics (MD) is beneficial to understand protein and polymer interaction phenomena [
42,
43,
44,
45,
46]. The mussel protein on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and C
7F
16-SAM surfaces [
42] was supposed to be a large conformational change, due to its hydrophobic residues facing outward. The potential of mean force (PMF) indicated that the binding ability of water molecules to PDMS had an important effect on a better combination with the membrane. The interplay between fibronectin (FN) and poly (ethylene glycol) and castor oil copolymers of hexamethylene diisocyanate-based polyurethanes (PEG-HDI and CO-HDI, respectively) [
43], concentrates hydrophobic residues at the N-terminal end of FN. The polymer surface determines the overall protein adsorption affinity, due to its roughness. Poly (trimethylamine N-oxide) (PTMAO) zwitterionic polymer was designed to study its adsorption behavior with FN [
44]. The strong hydration of PTMAO surface could cause less protein adsorption. The interaction of fibrinogen (FB) and human serum albumin (HSA) with 2-hydroxymethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and poly (2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA) membranes [
45] were investigated. The binding strength between PMEA and FB was relatively weakened while hydrogen bonds dominated. The effect of polyurethane (PU) with different crosslinking densities of polypropylene glycol (PPG) and polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG)—interacting HSA and FN [
46]—was determined by PEG concentration due to increasing hydrophobicity. As summarized in
Table 1, most of MD research focuses on anti-fouling, the simulation modelling is relatively simple. A feasible study on immobilizing proteins on SAW delay line [
47] therefore become inevitable to further application and development of SAW based biosensors [
48] for rapid diagnostic tools.
COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus II (SARS-CoV-2) has developed into a serious global public health event. If COVID-19 never goes away completely, it will be classified as an endemic disease. The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into target cells through its receptor angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE2) will trigger various protective reactions, leading to severe lower respiratory tract infection and acute respiratory distress syndrome [
49,
50]. The immobilization of ACE2 on polymer membranes is beneficial to the development of biochips for the rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Here, the interaction of ACE2 and PS was thoroughly investigated by MD to pave the instructive way of fabricating SARS-CoV-2 biochips for combatting the global COVID-19 pandemic. The adsorption behaviors of ACE2 based on a cubic-orientation-settlement model was proposed with six initial orientations on PS surface at ambient temperature, according to minimum distance between ACE2 and PS. The interaction energy between ACE2 and PS was calculated, indicating the stability of ACE2 immobilized.
4. Conclusions
The immobilization of ACE2 on polymer is conducive to the development of real-time and in-situ diagnostic SARS-CoV-2 biochips. A cubic-orientation settlement mode was successfully proposed for ACE2 immobilization. The adsorption behaviors of ACE2 initial orientations on PS was studied using MD simulation at ambient temperature, by optimizing pH and NaCl parameters. The results evidenced that the VDW interaction energy dominates substantial bonding between ACE2 and PS. The adsorption rate of ACE2 in 0.15 M NaCl preferred pH 4.5 and 9.5 for (90, 0, 0), while pH 6, 7 for (0, 0, 0) and (0, 270, 0), (180, 0, 0) and (0, 90, 0), respectively. At pH 7 ambient temperature, ACE2 in 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 M NaCl respectively preferred (0, 270, 0), (0, 0, 0) and (90, 0, 0), (0, 90, 0) and (90, 0, 0) initial orientations, due to relatively fast, substantial bonding and stable configuration. It will provide a new conducive way to optimize suitable curing protein conditions.
Figure 1.
The morphology of PS simulation process. (a) initial PS. (b) energy minimization, (c) NVT pre-equilibrium, (d) NPT simulation.
Figure 1.
The morphology of PS simulation process. (a) initial PS. (b) energy minimization, (c) NVT pre-equilibrium, (d) NPT simulation.
Figure 2.
Cubic-orientation settlement of ACE2 immobilized on polystyrene. (a) Six initial orientations of ACE2. Different colors represent the properties of amino acids: white is non-polarity, blue is alkaline, red is acidity, and green is polarity; (b) The initial structure of ACE2 was to settle on PS, sodium ions are shown in silver.
Figure 2.
Cubic-orientation settlement of ACE2 immobilized on polystyrene. (a) Six initial orientations of ACE2. Different colors represent the properties of amino acids: white is non-polarity, blue is alkaline, red is acidity, and green is polarity; (b) The initial structure of ACE2 was to settle on PS, sodium ions are shown in silver.
Figure 4.
The profile of d vs settlement time of ACE2 six initial orientations towards stationary PS in NaCl solution at pH 7: Six initial orientations of a Cubic: (a) (0, 0, 0); (b) (0, 90, 0); (c) (0, 270, 0); (d) (90, 0, 0); (e) (180, 0, 0); (f) (270, 0, 0); 1, 2, 3 represent NaCl concentrations with relatively fast adsorption rate, followed by reasonable adsorption rate, and no adsorption, respectively.
Figure 4.
The profile of d vs settlement time of ACE2 six initial orientations towards stationary PS in NaCl solution at pH 7: Six initial orientations of a Cubic: (a) (0, 0, 0); (b) (0, 90, 0); (c) (0, 270, 0); (d) (90, 0, 0); (e) (180, 0, 0); (f) (270, 0, 0); 1, 2, 3 represent NaCl concentrations with relatively fast adsorption rate, followed by reasonable adsorption rate, and no adsorption, respectively.
Figure 5.
Effect of pH on the interaction energy of ACE2 six initial orientations with PS in 0.15 M NaCl. Six initial orientations of a Cubic: (a) (0, 0, 0); (b) (0, 90, 0); (c) (0, 270, 0); (d) (90, 0, 0); (e) (180, 0, 0); (f) (270, 0, 0); 1, 2, 3 represent the total, VDW, electrostatic interaction energy, respectively.
Figure 5.
Effect of pH on the interaction energy of ACE2 six initial orientations with PS in 0.15 M NaCl. Six initial orientations of a Cubic: (a) (0, 0, 0); (b) (0, 90, 0); (c) (0, 270, 0); (d) (90, 0, 0); (e) (180, 0, 0); (f) (270, 0, 0); 1, 2, 3 represent the total, VDW, electrostatic interaction energy, respectively.
Figure 6.
Effect of NaCl on the interaction energy of ACE2 six initial orientations with PS at pH 7. Six initial orientations of a Cubic: (a) (0, 0, 0); (b) (0, 90, 0); (c) (0, 270, 0); (d) (90, 0, 0); (e) (180, 0, 0); (f) (270, 0, 0); 1, 2, 3 represent the total, VDW, electrostatic interaction energy, respectively.
Figure 6.
Effect of NaCl on the interaction energy of ACE2 six initial orientations with PS at pH 7. Six initial orientations of a Cubic: (a) (0, 0, 0); (b) (0, 90, 0); (c) (0, 270, 0); (d) (90, 0, 0); (e) (180, 0, 0); (f) (270, 0, 0); 1, 2, 3 represent the total, VDW, electrostatic interaction energy, respectively.
Figure 7.
The immobilization of ACE2 on PS under the optimal conditions of 0.15 M NaCl. (a) pH 4.5 (90, 0, 0); (b) pH 6 (0, 0, 0); (c) pH 6 (0, 270, 0); (d) pH 7 (180, 0, 0); (e) pH 7 (0, 90, 0); (f) pH 9.5 (90, 0, 0). 1, 2, 3 represent the initial, start and final state, respectively. The energy and RMSD/Rg were averaged at the last 5 ns.
Figure 7.
The immobilization of ACE2 on PS under the optimal conditions of 0.15 M NaCl. (a) pH 4.5 (90, 0, 0); (b) pH 6 (0, 0, 0); (c) pH 6 (0, 270, 0); (d) pH 7 (180, 0, 0); (e) pH 7 (0, 90, 0); (f) pH 9.5 (90, 0, 0). 1, 2, 3 represent the initial, start and final state, respectively. The energy and RMSD/Rg were averaged at the last 5 ns.
Figure 8.
The immobilization of ACE2 on PS under the optimal conditions of pH 7. (a) 0.05 M NaCl (0, 270, 0); (b) 0.1 M NaCl (0, 0, 0); (c) 0.1 M NaCl (90, 0, 0); (d) 0.15 M NaCl (180, 0, 0); (e) 0.2 M NaCl (0, 90, 0); (f) 0.2 M NaCl (90, 0, 0). 1, 2, 3 represent the initial, start and final state, respectively. The energy and RMSD/Rg were averaged at the last 5 ns.
Figure 8.
The immobilization of ACE2 on PS under the optimal conditions of pH 7. (a) 0.05 M NaCl (0, 270, 0); (b) 0.1 M NaCl (0, 0, 0); (c) 0.1 M NaCl (90, 0, 0); (d) 0.15 M NaCl (180, 0, 0); (e) 0.2 M NaCl (0, 90, 0); (f) 0.2 M NaCl (90, 0, 0). 1, 2, 3 represent the initial, start and final state, respectively. The energy and RMSD/Rg were averaged at the last 5 ns.
Table 1.
Study on protein and polymer adsorption.
Table 1.
Study on protein and polymer adsorption.
Protein |
Polymers |
Environment |
Interaction |
Method/ theory |
BSA |
|
NaCl aqueous solution |
Electrostatic [36] |
TIRM |
|
Phosphate buffer solution (PBS pH 7.0, 0.1 M) |
VDW [37] |
STC, HSP |
BSA |
|
pH 4.7, 7, 10 NaCl solution |
Electrostatic [38] |
Contact Angle, FTIR |
β-lactoglobulin |
PBS (pH 3, 5.2, 7, 9.5) |
Hydrophobic [39] |
Freundlich model |
IgG, IgA, IgM |
|
PBS |
Electrostatic Hydrophobic [40] |
Zeta potential |
α-LA, Lysozyme |
10 mM HEPES buffer (pH 7.2) |
Hydrophobic [41] |
TIRM |
Mussel protein |
|
water |
VDW Electrostatic [42] |
MD |
FN |
|
VDW Electrostatic [43] |
|
Hydrogen bonds [44] |
FB, HSA |
|
VDW Electrostatic Hydrogen bonds [45] |
HSA, FN |
|
Hydrophobic Hydrogen bonds [46] |
Table 2.
Effect of NaCl on adsorption time fractions of ACE2 evaluated at pH 7.
Table 2.
Effect of NaCl on adsorption time fractions of ACE2 evaluated at pH 7.
NaCl (M) |
0.01 M |
0.05 M |
0.1 M |
0.15 M |
0.2 M |
0.25 |
(0, 0, 0) |
0.017 |
0.002 |
0.984 |
0.324 |
0.043 |
0 |
(0, 90, 0) |
0.001 |
0.867 |
0 |
0.962 |
0.949 |
0.904 |
(0, 270, 0) |
0.298 |
0.906 |
0.209 |
0.618 |
0.014 |
0.489 |
(90, 0, 0) |
0.322 |
0.068 |
0.904 |
0.060 |
0.877 |
0.208 |
(180, 0, 0) |
0.088 |
0.670 |
0.166 |
0.813 |
0.123 |
0.059 |
(270, 0, 0) |
0.095 |
0.118 |
0.327 |
0.530 |
0.402 |
0.362 |
Total |
0.137 |
0.439 |
0.432 |
0.551 |
0.401 |
0.337 |