Modification and Purification of a Quorum Quenching Enzyme for Development of a Bio-Film Eliminating Products
The Quorum Quenching Enzyme SsoPox W263I (QQE2) was previously found to help break down bio-films and to have a high tolerance for heat. This is important because bio-films frequently harm farmers' crops and cause ships to need excess amounts of fuel. However, this protein has a short life span. Therefore, this protein was modified with either an alkyne or an azide analog using farnesylation reactions. This was done in order to be able to react the conjugate with another substance, such as a polymer in paint, and prolong the life of the quorum quenching enzyme. The results of these reactions indicated successful modification of the quorum quenching enzyme. In the future, the protein-analog conjugates will be further developed in order to produce a paint or spray that could be applied to any surface and effectively remove bio-films.