Construction of the molecular crowding model utilizing the polymer hydrogels

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15617
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 35010:Polymer chemistry-related
• Research Institution: Hirosaki University (2020); The University of Tokyo (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Kureha Takuma 弘前大学, 理工学研究科, 助教 (60836039)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: ゲル / 光散乱法 / タンパク質 / 高分子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of the research project is to build a polymer gel network that exerts a molecular crowding effect and improves the function of biomolecules. In addition, to evaluate the biological phenomena that occur inside the gel, we developed the device that can measure dynamics of biomolecules. We prepared the gels having high biocompatibility and temperature responsiveness, and thus the gels with different polymer densities and dynamics were created.
Moreover, the physical properties and structure of the gels were evaluated by dynamic light scattering and dynamic viscoelasticity measurements. As a result, the design guideline for controlling the diffusivity and interaction with biomolecules was established. Finally, the dynamics of RNA were measured inside the obtained gels, and it was confirmed that the diffusivity of RNA was reduced.

Free Research Field

化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

生体内ではタンパク質や核酸が混み合った細胞内で機能している。この混み合った環境では希薄条件に比べ、タンパク質などの生体分子の活性度が向上し、我々の生命活動を支えており、この効果は分子クラウディング効果と呼ばれている。このメカニズムを解明または生体分子機能をさらに向上させるため、生体分子に高濃度の人工（合成）高分子を添加し、生体外で分子クラウディング効果を確かめる手法が適用されているが、実際に生体内で起きている現象は再現できていない。本研究では、合成高分子が架橋されたハイドロゲルを合成し、その内部で生体分子の運動や機能を評価する手法を開発した。