In this report, we have modified bacterial cellulose to a metal binding matrix by covalently conjugating physiological metal chelators known as metallothioneins. The hydroxyl groups of the native bacterial cellulose from Gluconobacter xylinus are epoxidized, followed by the covalent conjugation with the amine groups of the proteins. For the first time, a covalent conjugation of protein with bacterial cellulose is achieved using the epoxy-amine conjugation chemistry. Using this protocol, 50% mass by mass of the metallothionein could be attached to bacterial cellulose. The morphological features and porosity of the modified cellulose are different compared to pristine bacterial cellulose. Also, the conjugated material has a better thermal stability. A five-fold enhancement in the metal binding capacity of the metallothionein conjugated bacterial cellulose is achieved as compared to pristine bacterial cellulose. Cellular metabolic assay and membrane integrity assay on MCF and HeLa cell lines showed no significant toxicity of the conjugate material. This bacterial cellulose-metallothionein conjugate can be explored for health care applications where management of metal toxicity is crucial. Further, the epoxy-amine chemistry for covalent conjugation of protein can be applied for several other types of proteins to develop specific functional biocompatible and biodegradable cellulose matrices.

在本报告中，我们通过共价结合称为金属硫蛋白的生理金属螯合剂将细菌纤维素修饰为金属结合基质。木糖葡糖杆菌的天然细菌纤维素的羟基被环氧化，然后与蛋白质的胺基共价结合。第一次，蛋白质与细菌纤维素的共价缀合使用环氧-胺缀合化学实现。使用该方案，可以将50质量％的金属硫蛋白附着到细菌纤维素上。与原始细菌纤维素相比，改性纤维素的形态特征和孔隙率不同。而且，共轭材料具有更好的热稳定性。与原始细菌纤维素相比，金属硫蛋白缀合的细菌纤维素的金属结合能力提高了五倍。在MCF和HeLa细胞系上进行的细胞代谢测定和膜完整性测定表明，缀合物没有明显的毒性。可以探索这种细菌纤维素-金属硫蛋白结合物，以用于对金属毒性的管理至关重要的医疗保健应用。此外，用于蛋白质共价缀合的环氧-胺化学物质可用于多种其他类型的蛋白质，以开发特定的功能性生物相容性和可生物降解的纤维素基质。