Molecular Simulation of Protein-PEG Interaction

Abstract

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is a water-soluble polymer that exhibits properties such as protein resistance, low toxicity, and nonimmunogenicity.1--5 These properties have been attributed to its segmental flexibility and its polar, but uncharged, chemical composition. This segmental flexibility produces a high degree of steric exclusion and entropy at PEG-water interfaces which in turn leads to protein resistance. Its exclusion property also enables the precipitation of proteins without denaturation.6--9