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Success in extracting a protein into ionic liquids1)
-The protein in ionic liquids provides a new functionality as peroxidase-
Oct. 30, 2006
Kyushu University and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) have succeeded in the extractive solubilization of a biomolecule2) protein in ionic liquids for the first time. The protein has been dissolved in ionic liquids through the liquid-liquid extraction technique. In addition, the functional conversion of the protein in ionic liquids from an electron-transfer protein to peroxidase has been elucidated.
Ionic liquids have attracted much attention as green solvents in many fields of chemistry and industry, because ionic liquids possess unique chemical and physical properties such as negligible volatility and nonflammability. The present findings broaden the potential utility of ionic liquids as novel media for biocatalytic reaction.3) It is expected that ionic liquids are applied to the fields of bioengineering and environmental engineering, such as biodegradation of harmful substances utilizing biocatalyst in ionic liquids.
In order to clarify the migration behavior of radioactive substances in environment, JAEA has been developing the techniques to separate and concentrate ultratrace amount of target radionuclides up to measurable levels. Under the collaborative research with Kyushu University, since 2005, JAEA has been investigating the separation and concentration methods of radioactive substances, heavy metals and other substances utilizing ionic liquids since 2005. As part of the investigations, the extractive solubilization of a protein in ionic liquids has been attempted.
Specifically, a hydroxyl group4)-containing ionic liquid with a macrocyclic compound crown ether5) is capable of the quantitative partitioning of a heme6) protein cytochrome c7) via supramolecular complexation. Furthermore, solubilization of cytochrome c in ionic liquids causes the structural change of the heme vicinity of cytochrome c, which triggers the functional conversion of cytochrome c from an electron-transfer protein to peroxidase.
The present findings were published in Analytical Chemistry ((2006), vol. 78, 7735-7742) of American Chemical Society in November 2006.
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