Proteins in Ionic Liquids and Deep Eutectic Solvents: Navigating Folding, Stability, and Function

In the field of protein biochemistry, the emergence of nonaqueous solvents such as ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DES) has unveiled new opportunities for examining proteins in environments beyond water and conventional organic media. These versatile solvents provide a unique platform to explore and manipulate protein folding, stability, and function, which are traditionally studied in aqueous environments. Recent studies highlight the potential of ILs and DES to control various properties such as polarity, viscosity, hydrogen bonding, and solubility, thus enabling more precise modulation of protein behavior. Yet, despite significant progress, key questions remain regarding how exactly these solvents interact with and impact protein conformational dynamics.

This Research Topic aims to address the hot questions concerning the role of ILs and DES in protein folding, stability, and function. Central to this inquiry are the mechanisms by which ILs and DES influence protein conformational landscapes and interact with protein residues, potentially leading to altered structural and functional outcomes. Significant advancements are anticipated by utilizing cutting-edge methodologies including spectroscopy and molecular simulations, which will facilitate deeper insights into the complex interactions between proteins and these innovative solvents. Moreover, exploring the dual roles of ILs and DES in stabilizing or destabilizing proteins is essential for harnessing their potential applications in therapeutic protein formulations and enzymatic/non-enzymatic catalysis.

To gather further insights in the manipulation of protein environments using ILs and DES, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Manipulation of protein folding, unfolding, or re-folding with ILs or DES
- Enhancement of protein stability to perturbants (e.g., temperature, pH, oxidation) with ILs or DES
- Strategies for long-term protein storage in ILs or DES
- Enzymatic and non-enzymatic catalysis in ILs or DES
- Formulations with ILs or DES for therapeutic protein delivery