A robust route to enzymatically functional, hierarchically self-assembled peptide frameworks

Post-assembly Fabrication of a Functional Multicomponent Supramolecular Hydrogel Based on a Self-Sorting Double Network

Living cells exhibit sophisticated functions because they contain numerous endogenous stimuli-responsive molecular systems that independently and cooperatively act in response to an external circumstance. On the other hand, artificial soft materials containing multiple stimuli-responsive molecular systems are still rare. Herein, we demonstrate a unique multicomponent hydrogel composed of a self-sorting double network prepared through a post-assembly fabrication (PAF) protocol. The PAF protocol allowed the construction of a well-ordered hydrogel with a dual-biomolecule response to two important biomolecules (adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and sarcosine). Such a hydrogel could not be prepared through a one-step mixing protocol. The resultant multicomponent hydrogel responded to ATP and sarcosine through gel-sol transition behavior programmed in an AND logic gate fashion. Finally, we applied the multicomponent hydrogel to the controlled release of an antibody.

Designer aromatic peptide amphiphiles for self-assembly and enzymatic display of proteins with morphology control

We herein designed bi-functional aromatic peptide amphiphiles both self-assembling to fibrous nanomaterials and working as a substrate of microbial transglutaminase, leading to peptidyl scaffolds with different morphologies that can be enzymatically post-functionalized with proteins.

Multicomponent peptide assemblies

Self-assembled peptide nanostructures have been increasingly exploited as functional materials for applications in biomedicine and energy. The emergent properties of these nanomaterials determine the applications for which they can be exploited. It has recently been appreciated that nanomaterials composed of multicomponent coassembled peptides often display unique emergent properties that have the potential to dramatically expand the functional utility of peptide-based materials. This review presents recent efforts in the development of multicomponent peptide assemblies. The discussion includes multicomponent assemblies derived from short low molecular weight peptides, peptide amphiphiles, coiled coil peptides, collagen, and β-sheet peptides. The design, structure, emergent properties, and applications for these multicomponent assemblies are presented in order to illustrate the potential of these formulations as sophisticated next-generation bio-inspired materials.

Display of functional proteins on supramolecular peptide nanofibrils using a split-protein strategy

The display of functional proteins on self-assembled peptide nanofibrils is accomplished by noncovalent attachment using a split-protein strategy.

Gradated assembly of multiple proteins into supramolecular nanomaterials

Biomaterials exhibiting precise ratios of different bioactive protein components are critical for applications ranging from vaccines to regenerative medicine, but their design is often hindered by limited choices and cross-reactivity of protein conjugation chemistries. Here, we describe a strategy for inducing multiple different expressed proteins of choice to assemble into nanofibres and gels with exceptional compositional control. The strategy employs 'βTail' tags, which allow for good protein expression in bacteriological cultures, yet can be induced to co-assemble into nanomaterials when mixed with additional β-sheet fibrillizing peptides. Multiple different βTail fusion proteins could be inserted into peptide nanofibres alone or in combination at predictable, smoothly gradated concentrations, providing a simple yet versatile route to install precise combinations of proteins into nanomaterials. The technology is illustrated by achieving precisely targeted hues using mixtures of fluorescent proteins, by creating nanofibres bearing enzymatic activity, and by adjusting antigenic dominance in vaccines.