%0 Journal Article
%T Understanding the Phase Behavior of a Multistimuli-Responsive Elastin-like Polymer: Insights from Dynamic Light Scattering Analysis.
%A Swanson PC
%A Arnold GP
%A Curley CE
%A Wakita SC
%A Waters JDV
%A Balog ERM
%J J Phys Chem B
%V 128
%N 23
%D 2024 Jun 13
%M 38830627
%F 3.466
%R 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c00070
%X Elastin-like polymers are a class of stimuli-responsive protein polymers that hold immense promise in applications such as drug delivery, hydrogels, and biosensors. Yet, understanding the intricate interplay of factors influencing their stimuli-responsive behavior remains a challenging frontier. Using temperature-controlled dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements, we investigate the interactions between buffer, pH, salt, water, and protein using an elastin-like polymer containing ionizable lysine residues. We observed the elevation of transition temperature in the presence of the common buffering agent HEPES at low concentrations, suggesting a "salting-in" effect of HEPES as a cosolute through weak association with the protein. Our findings motivate a more comprehensive investigation of the influence of buffer and other cosolute molecules on elastin-like polymer behavior.