Phosphorylase-catalyzed synthesis and self-assembled structures of cellulose oligomers in the presence of protein denaturants

The self-assembly of biomolecules is an important strategy for fabricating structurally ordered artificial nanomaterials. Various biopolymers have been utilized as self-assembling material components. However, crystalline polysaccharides, such as cellulose and chitin, have rarely been focused on as components for self-assembly, possibly due to their complicated chemical synthesis and low solubility in various solvents even though their stable and robust characteristics are observed in nature. Therefore, the development of methods to control the self-assembled structures of cellulose has the potential to extend the applicability of crystalline polysaccharides in materials science and engineering. In this study, we investigated the cellodextrin phosphorylase-catalyzed synthesis and self-assembled structures of cellulose oligomers in the presence of protein denaturants. The modulation of intermolecular interactions between oligomers by protein denaturants under adequate synthesis conditions resulted in the production of oligomers with greater degrees of polymerization and different crystal structures. Our findings will be significant as fundamental knowledge to artificially construct cellulose assemblies toward novel cellulosic materials.

Automated summary

The modulation of intermolecular interactions between cellulose oligomers by protein denaturants under suitable synthesis conditions can lead to the production of oligomers with different crystal structures and higher degrees of polymerization, providing important fundamental knowledge for the development of novel cellulose materials.