PROTEIN-BASED ADHESIVES
Protein-based adhesives. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an elastin-like polypeptide has a sequence LDGTL-(PGX 1 GVPGKGVPGX 2 GVPGX 1 GVPGX 3 GVPGX 2 GV) n -PVADRGMRLE, wherein each X 1 is selected from the group consisting of tyrosine (Y), dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), and 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine (TOPA), wherein each X 2 is selected from the group consisting of valine (V), Y, DOPA, and TOPA, wherein each X 3 is selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid (E) and lysine (K), and wherein n is at or between 6 and 10 or higher or lower.
1 . An elastin-like polypeptide having a sequence LDGTL-(PGX 1 GVPGKGVPGX 2 GVPGX 1 GVPGX 3 GVPGX 2 GV) n -PVADRGMRLE, wherein each X 1 is selected from the group consisting of tyrosine (Y), dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), and 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine (TOPA), wherein each X 2 is selected from the group consisting of valine (V), Y, DOPA, and TOPA, wherein each X 3 is selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid (E) and lysine (K), and wherein n is at or between 6 and 10.
2 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 1 , wherein n is 8, so that the elastin-like polypeptide has a sequence LDGTL-(PGX 1 GVPGKGVPGX 2 GVPGX 1 GVPGX 3 GVPGX 2 GV) 8 -PVADRGMRLE.
3 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 1 , preceded by a cleavage site having the sequence DDDDK so that the elastin-like polypeptide has a sequence DDDDK-LDGTL-(PGX 1 GVPGKGVPGX 2 GVPGX 1 GVPGX 3 GVPGX 2 GV) n -PVADRGMRLE.
4 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 3 , wherein the cleavage site is preceded by an His tag having the sequence HHHHHHH, so that the elastin-like polypeptide has a sequence HHHHHHH-DDDDK-LDGTL-(PGX 1 GVPGKGVPGX 2 GVPGX 1 GVPGX 3 GVPGX 2 GV) n -PVADRGMRLE.
5 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 4 , wherein the His tag is preceded by a T7 tag having the sequence M-MASMTGGQQMG, so that the elastin-like polypeptide has a sequence M-MASMTGGQQMG-HHHHHHH-DDDDK-LDGTL-(PGX 1 GVPGKGVPGX 2 GVPGX 1 GVPGX 3 GVPGX 2 GV) n -PVADRGMRLE.
6 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 1 , having a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) at or between 25° C. and 37° C.
7 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 1 , having a sequence LDGTL-(PGYGVPGKGVPGVGVPGYGVPGKGVPGVGV) n -PVADRGMRLE.
8 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 1 , wherein at least one X′ comprises Y, and wherein the at least one Y is replaced by DOPA or TOPA during exposure to tyrosinase.
9 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 1 , wherein n=8, and wherein each X 1 comprises Y.
10 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 1 , capable of adhering to a substrate when applied to said substrate under wet conditions.
11 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 1 , wherein each X2 is V, and wherein each X3 is K.
12 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 1 , wherein the first L within the sequence is replaced with MSKGPGV, so that the elastin-like polypeptide has a sequence MSKGPGVDGTL-(PGX 1 GVPGKGVPGX 2 GVPGX 1 GVPGX 3 GVPGX 2 GV) n -PVADRGMRLE.
13 . An elastin-like polypeptide comprising a repeated amino acid sequence VPGXG, wherein the repeated amino acid sequence is repeated at least six times within the elastin-like polypeptide, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid (E), lysine (K), valine (V), and tyrosine (Y), and wherein Y appears at least once within the elastin-like polypeptide.
14 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 13 , wherein at least one X also comprises at least one V.
15 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 14 , wherein the at least one Y is replaced by DOPA or TOPA during exposure to tyrosinase.
16 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 15 , capable of adhering to a substrate when applied to said substrate under wet conditions.
17 . The elastin-like polypeptide of claim 15 , capable of forming a coacervate in the wet conditions at 37° C.
18 . A method of generating a polypeptide configured for wet adhesion, comprising the steps of:
providing an initial polypeptide having a sequence LDGTL-(PGYGVPGKGVPGVGVPGYGVPGKGVPGVGV) n -PVADRGMRLE; and
dissolving the initial polypeptide in a buffer comprising a tyrosinase to form a mixture so that least one tyrosine of the initial polypeptide is converted to dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) within the mixture.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the step of dissolving further comprises converting at least one DOPA to 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine (TOPA).
20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of:
adding an acid to the mixture after a first period of time has elapsed so to cease further conversion of tyrosine to DOPA.