Ice-recrystallization inhibiting polymers protect proteins against freeze-stress and enable glycerol-free cryostorage

Proteins are ubiquitous in molecular biotechnology, biotechnology and as therapeutics, but there are significant challenges in their storage and distribution, with freezing often required. This is traditionally achieved by the addition of cryoprotective agents such as glycerol (or trehalose) or cova...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials horizons 2019-02, Vol.6 (2), p.364-368
Main Authors: Mitchell, Daniel E, Fayter, Alice E R, Deller, Robert C, Hasan, Muhammad, Gutierrez-Marcos, Jose, Gibson, Matthew I
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomedical materials
Biotechnology
Chemistry
Conjugation
Cryoprotectants
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
DNA polymerase
Freezing
Glycerol
IgG antibody
Insulin
Polyethylene glycol
Polymers
Proteins
Reagents
Recrystallization
Trehalose
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Summary:Proteins are ubiquitous in molecular biotechnology, biotechnology and as therapeutics, but there are significant challenges in their storage and distribution, with freezing often required. This is traditionally achieved by the addition of cryoprotective agents such as glycerol (or trehalose) or covalent modification of mutated proteins with cryoprotectants. Here, ice recrystallization inhibiting polymers, inspired by antifreeze proteins, are used synergistically with poly(ethylene glycol) as an alternative to glycerol. The primary mechanism of action appears to be preventing irreversible aggregation due to ice growth. The polymer formulation is successfully used to cryopreserve a range of important proteins including insulin, Taq DNA polymerase and an IgG antibody. The polymers do not require covalent conjugation, nor modification of the protein and are already used in a wide range of biomedical applications, which will facilitate translation to a range of biologics.
ISSN:2051-6347
2051-6355
DOI:10.1039/c8mh00727f