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Microbial synthesis of poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoates) bearing phenyl groups from pseudomonas putida: chemical structure and characterization.

New poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoates) having aromatics groups (so-called PHPhAs) from a microbial origin have been characterized. These polymers were produced and accumulated as reserve materials when a beta-oxidation mutant of Pseudomonas putida U, disrupted in the gene that encodes the 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (fadA), was cultured in a chemically defined medium containing different aromatic fatty acids (6-phenylhexanoic acid, 7-phenylheptanoic acid, a mixture of them, or 8-phenyloctanoic acid) as carbon sources. The polymers were extracted from the bacteria, purified and characterized by using (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Structural studies revealed that when 6-phenylhexanoic acid was added to the cultures, an homopolymer (poly-3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoate) was accumulated. The feeding with 8-phenyloctanoic acid and 7-phenylheptanoic acid leads to the formation of copolymers of the corresponding units with the n - 2 carbons formed after deacetylation, copoly(3-hydroxy-8-phenyloctanoate-3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoate) and copoly(3-hydroxy-7-phenylheptanoate-3-hydroxy-5-phenylvalerate), respectively. The mixture of 6-phenylhexanoic acid and 7-phenylheptanoic acid gave rise to the corresponding terpolymer, copoly(3-hydroxy-7-phenylheptanoate-3-hydroxy-6-phenylhexanoate-3-hydroxy-5-phenylvalerate). Studies on the chemical structure of these three polyesters revealed that they were true copolymers but not a mixture of homopolymers and that the different monomeric units were randomly incorporated in the macromolecular chains. Thermal behavior and molecular weight distribution were also discussed. These compounds had a dual attractive interest in function of (i) their broad use as biodegradable polymers and (ii) their possible biomedical applications.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Synthesis of poly(2-methyl-3-hydroxyoctanoate) via anionic polymerization of alpha-methyl-beta-pentyl-beta-propiolactone.

Synthesis of an alpha,beta-alkyl branched polyester, i.e., poly(2-methyl-3-hydroxyoctanoate), has been accomplished via anionic polymerization of alpha-methyl-beta-pentyl-beta-propiolactone mediated by supramolecular complexes of potassium methoxide or potassium hydroxide, respectively. The structure of resulting polymers has been established by electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn), FT-IR, NMR, and GPC analyses. Previously proposed addition-elimination mechanism of the polymerization of beta-lactones containing alpha-hydrogen by alkoxide anion has been confirmed to operate also in the case of beta-lactone having alkyl substituents in both alpha and beta positions.

Methods↗

Biodegradation of [(3)H]poly(epsilon-caprolactone) in the presence of active sludge extracts.

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone), PCL, is a commercial biodegradable and biocompatible polyester that can be bioassimilated by outdoor microorganisms. For biomedical and environmental applications, monitoring the fate of degradation products in vivo or under environmental conditions is one of the critical steps to evaluate degradation characteristics. [(3)H] radiolabeling is the best method to monitor the fate of degradable polymer chains in contact with complex living systems and to show bioassimilation. Therefore, tritiated PCL was synthesized by chemical modification using anionic activation by reaction with lithium diisopropylamide. The resulting radioactive polymer was characterized and allowed to degrade at 37 degrees C under aerobic conditions in the presence of active sludge. Comparison was made with abiotic hydrolytic degradation in pH = 7.4, 0.13 M phosphate buffer at 37 degrees C. Water-soluble degradation products were assessed by measuring radioactivity in the solution phase. It was shown that biodegradation of PCL started after a few hours and proceeded up to the ultimate stage over ca. 72 days, giving tritiated water (80-90%) and biomass. Radioactivity detection appeared much more sensitive than measurement of CO(2) production or consumption to monitor degradation phenomena. In particular, it showed that the onset of biodegradation occurs earlier than that reported using respirometry.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗

Thermal degradation of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates): preparation of well-defined oligomers.

The thermal degradation of the biodegradable bacterial polyesters poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, poly(3-hydroxyvalerate), PHV, and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), 0-21 mol % of hydroxyvalerate, was studied. At moderately low temperatures (170-200 degrees C), the main product is a well-defined oligomer, especially a 500-10,000 g/mol macromolecule, which contains one unsaturated end group, predominantly a trans-alkenyl end group, as well as a carboxylic end group. The process was studied regarding the effect of the copolymer composition and reaction time at 190 degrees C. During the first few hours of reaction, the thermal degradation of PHB and PHV followed a kinetic model of random scission, but eventually auto-acceleration of the pyrolysis was detected, probably due to the influence of the crotonate end groups of the oligomers formed. Ten-time scale-up experiments on a Brabender instrument were successfully undertaken.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Isolation and characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoates inclusions and their associated proteins in Pseudomonas sp. 61-3.

Two types of polyester inclusions of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] and poly(3HB-co-3-hydroxyalkanoates) [P(3HB-co-3HA)] were isolated from crude extract of Pseudomonas sp. 61-3. Proteins associated with each inclusion were separated by SDS-PAGE. PHA synthase 1 (PhaC1(Ps)), PhaF(Ps), and PhaI(Ps) were identified from P(3HB-co-3HA) inclusions by N-terminal amino acid sequences analyses, as well as PHB synthase (PhbC(Ps)) and 24-kDa unknown protein were identified from P(3HB) inclusions. The structural genes of PhaF(Ps) and PhaI(Ps) were located downstream of the pha locus. The relative PHA/PHB synthase activities of each inclusion were measured for various 3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme As of 4-12 carbon atoms. Direct atomic force microscopy observation of P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HA) inclusions demonstrated that the two types of inclusions had different morphologies.

Acyltransferases↗

Layer-by-layer assembly to modify poly(l-lactic acid) surface toward improving its cytocompatibility to human endothelial cells.

A novel technique to introduce free amino groups onto polyester scaffolds via aminolyzing the ester groups with diamine has been developed recently. Positively charged chitosan was then deposited onto the aminolyzed poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) membrane surface in a layer-by-layer assembly manner using poly(styrene sulfonate, sodium salt) (PSS) as a negatively charged polyelectrolyte. The layer-by-layer deposition process of PSS and chitosan was monitored by UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy, energy transfer by fluorescence spectroscopy, and advancing contact angle measurements. The existed chitosan obviously improved the cytocompatibility of PLLA to human endothelial cells. The cell attachment, activity, and proliferation on the PLLA membranes assembled with three or five bilayers of PSS/chitosan with chitosan as the outermost layer were better than those with one bilayer of PSS/chitosan or the control PLLA. The cells also showed morphology of an elongated shape with abundant cytoplasm, and a confluent cell layer was reached after being cultured for 4 days. Measurement of von Willebrand factor secreted by these endothelial cells (ECs) verified the endothelial function. Hence, better ECs compatible PLLA were produced.

Cells, Cultured↗

Synthesis of the star-shaped copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone and L-lactide from a cyclotriphosphazene core.

Hexakis[p-(hydroxylmethyl)phenoxy]cyclotriphosphazene was synthesized by the reaction of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene with the sodium salt of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and subsequent reduction of aldehyde groups to alcohol groups by using sodium borohydride. This compound was employed in initiating the ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone and L-lactide to produce star-shaped poly(L-lactide) (PLA), poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), and their block copolymer with cyclophosphazene cores. 1H NMR and GPC analysis showed narrow-distributed star-shaped polyesters were successfully synthesized with high yields.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗

Hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation of liquid-crystalline aromatic/aliphatic copolyesters.

Aromatic/aliphatic copolyesters containing hydrophilic moieties in the main chain or side chain were synthesized by bulk polycondensation of aromatic monomers without or with solubilizing substituents and aliphatic monomers. Hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation studies were carried out in vitro at 37 degrees C in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer and in Tris-HCl buffer containing proteinase K. The results indicate that liquid-crystalline aromatic/aliphatic copolyesters are degradable hydrolytically as well as enzymatically. The change in composition and morphology of the polyester films were monitored by nuclear magnetic resonance and scanning electron microscopy. The results suggested that aromatic species and aliphatic moieties could be released into aqueous solution during hydrolytic degradation of aromatic/aliphatic copolyesters with ethyleneoxy groups on the side chain. Modifying aromatic species with hydrophilic groups in aromatic/aliphatic copolyesters was an efficient method to improve degradability and biocompatibility due to improved solubility of degradation products in aqueous solution. Mechanical tests indicated that the copolyesters exhibited good mechanical properties prior to degradation, which can be of relevance for bone tissue engineering.

Alkanes↗

Enzymatic surface-initiated polymerization: a novel approach for the in situ solid-phase synthesis of biocompatible polymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate).

A novel system for surface-initiated enzymatic polymerization of a film of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) on solid surfaces has been developed and characterized. PHAs are aliphatic polyesters produced by a variety of microorganisms as a reserve of carbon and energy, and their properties range from elastomers to thermoplastics, depending on their monomeric composition. The PHA synthase from Ralstonia eutropha H16 was expressed as a poly-histidine fusion in Escherichia coli and immobilized onto several solid substrates through a transition-metal complex, Ni(2+)-nitrilotriacetic acid. The immobilized PHA synthase catalyzed the surface-initiated polymerization of 3-(R)-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, forming a polymer film with a uniform thickness on the surface. In this work, we describe the patterned immobilization of the intact enzyme on silicon and subsequent enzymatic polymerization. The immobilized enzyme had a lower specific activity and did not exhibit a lag phase as compared to the soluble enzyme.

Acyltransferases↗

Poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ester-carbonate) block copolymers carrying PEG-peptidyl-doxorubicin pendant side chains: synthesis and evaluation as anticancer conjugates.

Water soluble polymer anticancer conjugates can improve the pharmacokinetics of covalently bound drugs by limiting cellular uptake to the endocytic route, thus prolonging plasma circulation time and consequently facilitating tumor targeting by the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Many of the first generation antitumor polymer conjugates used nonbiodegradable polymeric carriers which limits the molecular weight that can be safely used to <40,000 g/mol. The aim of this ambitious study was to synthesize and evaluate a novel, prototype biodegradable polymeric system based on high molecular weight, water-soluble functionalized polyesters. The main polymeric platform was prepared from bis(4-hydroxy)butyl maleate (DBM) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG4000) blocks to give the polymer DBM2-PEG4000 containing biodegradable carbonate bonds and having a M(w) of 100,000-190,000 g/mol; M(n) of 37,000-53,000 g/mol, and M(w)/M(n) of 3.0-3.7. Using thioether linkages, this polymer was then grafted with HS-PEG3000-Gly-Phe-Lue-Gly doxorubicin (HS-PEG3000-GFLG-Dox) pendant side chains ( approximately 30 per DBM2-PEG chain). The final construct, DBM2-PEG4000-S-PEG3000-GFLG-Dox had a total Dox content of 3-4 wt % and a free Dox content of < or = 0.7% total Dox. During incubation with isolated lysosomal enzymes, the rate of Dox release from the polymer backbone was relatively slow (<5% release over 5 h) compared to that seen for PEG5000-GFLG-Dox alone (>20% over 5 h). The in vitro cytotoxicity was assessed using B16F10 murine melanoma (MTT assay). DBM2-PEG4000-S-PEG3000-GFLG-Dox was 10-20-fold less toxic than free Dox. In vivo antitumor activity of the DBM2-PEG4000-S-PEG3000-GFLG-Dox conjugates was assessed using a subcutaneous (s.c.) B16F10 murine melanoma model, and an intraperitoneal (i.p.) L1210 leukaemia model. The increased toxicity (attributed to poor solubility) and low antitumor activity of DBM2-PEG4000-S-PEG3000-GFLG-Dox conjugates compared to PEG5000-GFLG-Dox and HPMA copolymer-Dox conjugates was attributed to the slow rate of Dox release. The DBM2-PEG4000-S-PEG3000-GFLG-Dox conjugates were considered unfavorable as candidates for further development. However, the successful scale-up synthesis of DBM2-PEG4000-S-PEG3000 constructs suggest that they are worthy of further investigation as carriers for controlled release and targeting of less hydrophobic agents.

Animals↗

Preparation and properties of a novel class of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable aliphatic polyesters, known to be produced by many common microorganisms. Nodax is a recently introduced family of PHA copolymers comprising 3-hydroxybutyrate units and a relatively small amount of other medium chain length 3-hydroxyalkanoate (mcl-3HA) comonomers with side groups of at least three carbon units or more. There are several different grades of copolymers available, depending on the average molecular weight, average mcl-3HA content within the copolymer, and side group chain length of the chosen mcl-3HA unit. PHA copolymers with different mcl-3HA types and contents can be made either by bacterial fermentation or by chemical synthesis. The incorporation of mcl-3HA units into PHAs effectively lowers the crystallinity and T(m) in a manner similar to the effect of alpha-olefins in linear low-density polyethylene. The T(m) can be lowered well below the thermal decomposition temperature of PHAs to make this material much easier to process. The reduced crystallinity provides the ductility and toughness required for many practical applications. The mcl-3HA content regulates the T(m) and crystallinity of copolymer almost independently of the branch size, as long as more than three carbons are present in the side group. On the other hand, the side group chain length of the mcl-3HA has a profound effect on the flexibility of copolymer.

Crystallization↗

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates from agricultural waste and surplus materials.

To be competitive with common plastics, the production costs of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have to be minimized. Biotechnological polymer production occurs in aerobic processes; therefore, only about 50% of the main carbon sources and even a lower percentage of the precursors used for production of co-polyesters end up in the products wanted. A second cost factor in normally phosphate-limited production processes for PHAs is the costs for complex nitrogen sources. Both cheap carbon sources and cheap nitrogen sources are available from agricultural waste and surplus materials and make a substantial contribution for minimizing PHA production costs. In this study, fermentations for PHA production were carried out in laboratory-scale bioreactors on hydrolyzed whey permeate and glycerol liquid phase from the biodiesel production using a highly osmophilic organism. Without any precursor, the organism produced a poly[3(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate)] copolyester on both carbon sources. During the accumulation phases, a constant 3-hydroxyvalerate content of 8-10% was obtained at a total PHA concentration of 5.5 g/L (on hydrolyzed whey permeate) and 16.2 g/L (glycerol liquid phase). In an additional fermentation, an expensive nitrogen source was substituted by meat and bone meal beside the glycerol liquid phase as a carbon source, resulting in a final PHA concentration of 5.9 g/L.

Agriculture↗

Enzymatic degradation processes of lamellar crystals in thin films for poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid] and its copolymers revealed by real-time atomic force microscopy.

Enzymatic degradation processes of flat-on lamellar crystals in melt-crystallized thin films of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid] (P(3HB)) and its copolymers were characterized by real-time atomic force microscopy (AFM) in a phosphate buffer solution containing PHB depolymerase from Ralstonia pickettii T1. Fiberlike crystals with regular intervals were generated along the crystallographic a axis at the end of lamellar crystals during the enzymatic degradation. The morphologies and sizes of the fiberlike crystals were markedly dependent on the compositions of comonomer units in the polyesters. Length, width, interval, and thickness of the fiberlike crystals after the enzymatic degradation for 2 h were measured by AFM, and the dimensions were related to the solid-state structures of P(3HB) and its copolymers. The width and thickness decreased at the tip of fiberlike crystals, indicating that the enzymatic degradation of crystals takes place not only along the a axis but also along the b and c axes. These results from AFM measurement were compared with the data on crystal size by wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and on lamellar thickness and long period by small-angle X-ray scattering. In addition, the enzymatic erosion rate of flat-on lamellar crystals along the a axis was measured from real-time AFM height images. A schematic glacier model for the enzymatic degradation of flat-on lamellar crystals of P(3HB) by PHB depolymerase has been proposed on the basis of the AFM observations.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

Effective enhancement of short-chain-length-medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer production by coexpression of genetically engineered 3-ketoacyl-acyl-carrier-protein synthase III (fabH) and polyhydroxyalkanoate synthesis genes.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable polyesters that have a wide variety of physical properties dependent on the lengths of the pendant groups of the monomer units in the polymer. PHAs composed of mostly short-chain-length (SCL) monomers are often stiff and brittle, whereas PHAs composed of mostly medium-chain-length (MCL) monomers are elastomeric in nature. SCL-MCL PHA copolymers can have properties between the two states, dependent on the ratio of SCL and MCL monomers in the copolymer. It is desirable to elucidate new and low cost ways to produce PHA composed of mostly SCL monomer units with a small mol % of MCL monomers from renewable resources, since this type of SCL-MCL PHA copolymer has superior qualities compared to SCL homopolymer. To address this issue, we have created strains of recombinant E. coli capable of producing beta-ketothiolase (PhbA) and acetoacetyl-CoA synthase (PhbB) from Ralstonia eutropha, genetically engineered 3-ketoacyl-ACP synthase III (FabH) from Escherichia coli, and genetically engineered PHA synthases (PhaC) from Pseudomonas sp. 61-3 to enhance the production of SCL-MCL PHA copolymers from glucose. The cumulative effect of having two monomer-supplying pathways and genetically engineered PHA synthases resulted in higher accumulated amounts of SCL-MCL PHA copolymer from glucose. Polymers were isolated from two recombinant E. coli strains, the first harboring the phbAB, fabH(F87T), and phaC1(SCQM) genes and the second harboring the phbAB, fabH(F87W), and phaC1(SCQM) genes. The thermal and physical properties of the isolated polymers were characterized. It was found that even a very low mol % of MCL monomer in a SCL-MCL PHA copolymer had dramatic effects on the thermal properties of the copolymers.

3-Oxoacyl-(Acyl-Carrier-Protein) Synthase↗

Toward non-toxic antifouling: synthesis of hydroxy-, cinnamic acid-, sulfate-, and zosteric acid-labeled poly[3-hydroxyalkanoates].

The side-chain double bonds of bacterial poly[3-hydroxyalkanoate-co-3-hydroxyalkenoate] (PHAE, 1) were transformed into thioether bonds (derivative 2) via the radical addition reaction of 11-mercapto-1-undecanol. The terminal hydroxy functionalities of derivative 2 were subsequently esterified with cinnamic acid (derivative 3), sulfatized with ClSO(3)H (derivative 4), or coupled with tert-butyldimethylsilyl-protected coumaric acid, to give, after deprotection with tetrabutylammonium fluoride (derivative 5) followed by sulfatization, p-(sulfooxy) cinnamic acid- (zosteric acid) labeled PHAE (derivative 6). The reactions proceeded with good yields and little side reactions, which was confirmed with (1)H NMR and GPC experiments. These functionalized polyesters are currently investigated as environmentally friendly coatings to protect surfaces from biofouling.

Acids↗

Catalytic polymerization of a cyclic ester derived from a "cool" natural precursor.

(-)-Menthide, a seven-membered lactone derived from the natural product (-)-menthol, was polymerized using a structurally defined zinc-alkoxide catalyst to form an aliphatic polyester. The polymer was fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. The polymerization reaction occurred in a controlled fashion and polymer samples with M(n) values up to 90 kg mol(-1) were obtained by varying the catalyst loading. Monitoring of the rate of polymerization by in situ FT-IR spectroscopy (ReactIR) revealed a first order dependence on (-)-menthide. The temperature dependence of the observed rate constant between 30 and 90 degrees C was well described by the Arrhenius equation and gave E(a) = 38.4 +/- 0.9 kJ mol(-1). Thermodynamic parameters (deltaH(p) degrees = -16.8 +/- 1.6 kJ mol(-1), deltaS(p) degrees = -27.4 +/- 4.6 J mol(-1) K(-1)) for the polymerization of (-)-menthide were also determined by measuring the equilibrium monomer concentration at different temperatures ranging from 40 to 100 degrees C. The equilibrium monomer concentrations at 25 and 100 degrees C were calculated to be 0.031 +/- 0.018 and 0.120 +/- 0.063 M, respectively.

Catalysis↗

Magic-angle spinning NMR studies of cell wall bound aromatic-aliphatic biopolyesters associated with strengthening of intercellular adhesion in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber parenchyma.

Intercellular adhesion strengthening, a phenomenon that compromises the texture and the edible quality of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), has been induced reproducibly by exposure to low-pH acetic acid solutions under tissue culture conditions. The resulting parenchyma tissues have been examined by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in order to characterize the biopolymer(s) thought to be associated with this syndrome. Cross polarization-magic angle spinning (CPMAS) (13)C NMR has been used to establish the presence of a polyphenol-suberin-like aromatic-aliphatic polyester within an abundant cell wall polysaccharide matrix in potato tubers that exhibit hardening due to strengthened intercellular adhesion. Dipolar dephasing and CP chemical shift anisotropy experiments suggest that the aromatic domain is composed primarily of guaiacyl and sinapyl groups. Two-dimensional wide-line separation experiments show that the biopolymer associated with parenchyma hardening contains rigid polysaccharide cell walls and mobile aliphatic long-chain fatty acids; (1)H spin diffusion experiments show that these flexible aliphatic chains are proximal to both the phenolics and a subpopulation of the cell wall polysaccharides. Finally, high-resolution MAS NMR of parenchyma samples swelled in DMSO in conjunction with two-dimensional through-bond and through-space NMR spectroscopy provides evidence for covalent linkages among the polysaccharide, phenolic, and aliphatic domains of the intercellular adhesion-strengthening biopolymer in potato parenchyma tissue.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Crystalline structure of poly(hexamethylene adipate). Study on the morphology and the enzymatic degradation of single crystals.

The crystalline structure of polyester 6 6 was studied by means of X-ray and electron diffraction and real-space electron microscopy. An orthorhombic unit cell containing eight chain segments with a quasi planar zigzag conformation was derived. The chain axis projection could be defined by a small rectangular cell containing only two molecular segments. Simulation of electron diffraction patterns indicates that molecular segments were arranged with azimuthal angles close to +/-46 degrees . X-ray diffraction patterns suggested that the large dimensions of the unit cell were a consequence of a slight shift between neighboring chains that improved the electrostatic interactions. Chain-folded lamellar crystals were obtained by isothermal crystallization of dilute n-hexanol or n-octanol solutions. The crystalline habit was studied, and the influence of temperature was evaluated. A regular folding surface was observed by using polyethylene decoration techniques. Lamellar crystals were easily degraded with different lipases. A preferential enzymatic attack was, in some cases, observed to occur in the crystal edges, giving rise to highly irregular borders with a fringed texture.

Adipates↗