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Kubik S. Synthetic Receptors Based on Abiotic Cyclo(pseudo)peptides. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27092821. [PMID: 35566168 PMCID: PMC9103335 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Work on the use of cyclic peptides or pseudopeptides as synthetic receptors started even before the field of supramolecular chemistry was firmly established. Research initially focused on the development of synthetic ionophores and involved the use of macrocycles with a repeating sequence of subunits along the ring to facilitate the correlation between structure, conformation, and binding properties. Later, nonnatural amino acids as building blocks were also considered. With growing research in this area, cyclopeptides and related macrocycles developed into an important and structurally diverse receptor family. This review provides an overview of these developments, starting from the early years. The presented systems are classified according to characteristic structural elements present along the ring. Wherever possible, structural aspects are correlated with binding properties to illustrate how natural or nonnatural amino acids affect binding properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Kubik
- Fachbereich Chemie-Organische Chemie, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 54, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
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2
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Ravarino P, Di Domenico N, Barbalinardo M, Faccio D, Falini G, Giuri D, Tomasini C. Fluorine Effect in the Gelation Ability of Low Molecular Weight Gelators. Gels 2022; 8:gels8020098. [PMID: 35200480 PMCID: PMC8871896 DOI: 10.3390/gels8020098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The three gelators presented in this work (Boc-D-Phe-L-Oxd-OH F0, Boc-D-F1Phe-L-Oxd-OH F1 and Boc-D-F2Phe-L-Oxd-OH F2) share the same scaffold and differ in the number of fluorine atoms linked to the aromatic ring of phenylalanine. They have been applied to the preparation of gels in 0.5% or 1.0% w/v concentration, using three methodologies: solvent switch, pH change and calcium ions addition. The general trend is an increased tendency to form structured materials from F0 to F1 and F2. This property ends up in the formation of stronger materials when fluorine atoms are present. Some samples, generally formed by F1 or F2 in 0.5% w/v concentration, show high transparency but low mechanical properties. Two gels, both containing fluorine atoms, show increased stiffness coupled with high transparency. The biocompatibility of the gelators was assessed exposing them to fibroblast cells and demonstrated that F1 and F2 are not toxic to cells even in high concentration, while F0 is not toxic to cells only in a low concentration. In conclusion, the presence of even only one fluorine atom improves all the gelators properties: the gelation ability of the compound, the rheological properties and the transparency of the final materials and the gelator biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Ravarino
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Nadia Di Domenico
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Marianna Barbalinardo
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, (ISMN-CNR)-Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Davide Faccio
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Giuseppe Falini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (D.G.); (C.T.); Tel.: +39-0512099486 (C.T.)
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (D.G.); (C.T.); Tel.: +39-0512099486 (C.T.)
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Giuri D, Ravarino P, Tomasini C. L-Dopa in small peptides: an amazing functionality to form supramolecular materials. Org Biomol Chem 2021; 19:4622-4636. [PMID: 33978030 DOI: 10.1039/d1ob00378j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
l-Dopa (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) is a chiral amino acid generated via biosynthesis from l-tyrosine in plants and some animals. The presence of multiple interacting sites makes l-Dopa a multifunctional building block for the preparation of supramolecular materials. The possibility to form hydrogen bonds and the presence of the aromatic ring allow l-Dopa molecules to interact through a series of non-covalent interactions. The additional presence of the catechol moiety really makes this compound unique: not only does it have implications in the self-assembly process of Dopa itself and with other substrates, but also it highly increases the number of applications of the final material, since it works as an antioxidant, radical trapper, metal chelator, reducing agent and adhesive. l-Dopa and catechol containing derivatives have been extensively introduced inside both synthetic and natural polymers to obtain amazing functional materials. In this review we report the preparation of small peptides containing l-Dopa, focusing on the supramolecular materials that can be obtained with them, ranging from fibrils to fibres, gels, films and coatings, all having the different applications mentioned above and many others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician - Università di Bologna - Via Selmi, 2-40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Paolo Ravarino
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician - Università di Bologna - Via Selmi, 2-40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician - Università di Bologna - Via Selmi, 2-40126 Bologna, Italy.
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Rinaldi S. The Diverse World of Foldamers: Endless Possibilities of Self-Assembly. Molecules 2020; 25:E3276. [PMID: 32708440 PMCID: PMC7397133 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25143276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Different classes of foldamers, which are synthetic oligomers that adopt well-defined conformations in solution, have been the subject of extensive studies devoted to the elucidation of the forces driving their secondary structures and their potential as bioactive molecules. Regardless of the backbone type (peptidic or abiotic), the most important features of foldamers are the high stability, easy predictability and tunability of their folding, as well as the possibility to endow them with enhanced biological functions, with respect to their natural counterparts, by the correct choice of monomers. Foldamers have also recently started playing a starring role in the self-assembly of higher-order structures. In this review, selected articles will be analyzed to show the striking number of self-assemblies obtained for foldamers with different backbones, which will be analyzed in order of increasing complexity. Starting from the simplest self-associations in solution (e.g., dimers of β-strands or helices, bundles, interpenetrating double and multiple helices), the formation of monolayers, vesicles, fibers, and eventually nanostructured solid tridimensional morphologies will be subsequently described. The experimental techniques used in the structural investigation, and in the determination of the driving forces and mechanisms underlying the self-assemblies, will be systematically reported. Where applicable, examples of biomimetic self-assembled foldamers and their interactions with biological components will be described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuele Rinaldi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
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Esteve F, Altava B, Bolte M, Burguete MI, García-Verdugo E, Luis SV. Highly Selective Anion Template Effect in the Synthesis of Constrained Pseudopeptidic Macrocyclic Cyclophanes. J Org Chem 2020; 85:1138-1145. [PMID: 31858803 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.9b03048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel family of constrained pseudopeptidic macrocyclic compounds containing the hexahydropyrrolo[3,4-f]isoindolocyclophane scaffold and involving four coupled substitution reactions in the macrocyclization process. Although the increase in the number of steps involved in the macrocyclization could lead to a larger number of possible side products, the optimization of the methodology and the study of the driving forces have made it possible to obtain the desired macrocycles in excellent yields. A thorough computational study has been carried out to understand the macrocyclization process, and the results obtained nicely agree with experimental data. Moreover, the bromide anion had a clear catalytic template effect in the macrocyclization reaction, and surprisingly, the chloride anion had a negative template effect in opposition to the results obtained for analogous macrocycles. The parameters responsible for the specific kinetic template effect observed have been studied in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Esteve
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Orgánica , Universitat JaumeI , Av. Sos Baynat s/n , 12071 Castellón , Spain
| | - Belen Altava
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Orgánica , Universitat JaumeI , Av. Sos Baynat s/n , 12071 Castellón , Spain
| | - Michael Bolte
- Institut fur Anorganische Chemie , J. W. Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt , 60438 Frankfurt/Main , Germany
| | - M Isabel Burguete
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Orgánica , Universitat JaumeI , Av. Sos Baynat s/n , 12071 Castellón , Spain
| | - Eduardo García-Verdugo
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Orgánica , Universitat JaumeI , Av. Sos Baynat s/n , 12071 Castellón , Spain
| | - Santiago V Luis
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Orgánica , Universitat JaumeI , Av. Sos Baynat s/n , 12071 Castellón , Spain
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Giuri D, Jurković L, Fermani S, Kralj D, Falini G, Tomasini C. Supramolecular Hydrogels with Properties Tunable by Calcium Ions: A Bio-Inspired Chemical System. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2019; 2:5819-5828. [PMID: 35021575 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Boc-L-DOPA(OBn)2-OH is a simple synthetic molecule that promotes hydrogelation through electrostatic and π-π stacking interactions. Hydrogelation can occur in alkaline conditions by the use of triggers. Four hydrogels were prepared varying the base, NaOH or Na2CO3, and the trigger, GdL or CaCl2. When the hydrogel formed in the presence of Na2CO3 and CaCl2, the concomitant production of CaCO3 crystals occurred, generating an organic/inorganic composite material. It was observed that the hydrogel once self-assembled preserved its status even if the trigger, the calcium ions, was removed. The viscoelastic behavior of the hydrogels was analyzed through rheological experiments, which showed a solid-like behavior of the hydrogels. The corresponding xerogels were analyzed mainly by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and synchrotron X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). They showed differences in structure, morphology, and fiber organization according to their source. This research presents a hydrogel system that can be applied as a soft biomaterial for tissue engineering, cosmetics, food, and environmental science. Moreover, it represents a model for biomineralization studies in which the hydrogel structure can act as an analogue of the insoluble matrix that confines the calcification site, provides Ca2+, and preserves its structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Lara Jurković
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Simona Fermani
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Damir Kralj
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Giuseppe Falini
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Giuri D, Barbalinardo M, Zanna N, Paci P, Montalti M, Cavallini M, Valle F, Calvaresi M, Tomasini C. Tuning Mechanical Properties of Pseudopeptide Supramolecular Hydrogels by Graphene Doping. Molecules 2019; 24:E4345. [PMID: 31795090 PMCID: PMC6930602 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24234345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Supramolecular hydrogels, obtained from small organic molecules, may be advantageous over polymeric ones for several applications, because these materials have some peculiar properties that differentiate them from the traditional polymeric hydrogels, such as elasticity, thixotropy, self-healing propensity, and biocompatibility. We report here the preparation of strong supramolecular pseudopeptide-based hydrogels that owe their strength to the introduction of graphene in the gelling mixture. These materials proved to be strong, stable, thermoreversible and elastic. The concentration of the gelator, the degree of graphene doping, and the nature of the trigger are crucial to get hydrogels with the desired properties, where a high storage modulus coexists with a good thixotropic behavior. Finally, NIH-3T3 cells were used to evaluate the cell response to the presence of the most promising hydrogels. The hydrogels biocompatibility remains good, if a small degree of graphene doping is introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica “Giacomo Ciamician”, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 240126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (N.Z.); (P.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Marianna Barbalinardo
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, (ISMN-CNR), Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (M.C.); (F.V.)
| | - Nicola Zanna
- Dipartimento di Chimica “Giacomo Ciamician”, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 240126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (N.Z.); (P.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Paolo Paci
- Dipartimento di Chimica “Giacomo Ciamician”, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 240126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (N.Z.); (P.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Marco Montalti
- Dipartimento di Chimica “Giacomo Ciamician”, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 240126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (N.Z.); (P.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Massimiliano Cavallini
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, (ISMN-CNR), Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (M.C.); (F.V.)
| | - Francesco Valle
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, (ISMN-CNR), Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (M.C.); (F.V.)
| | - Matteo Calvaresi
- Dipartimento di Chimica “Giacomo Ciamician”, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 240126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (N.Z.); (P.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica “Giacomo Ciamician”, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 240126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (N.Z.); (P.P.); (M.M.)
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Guidetti G, Giuri D, Zanna N, Calvaresi M, Montalti M, Tomasini C. Biocompatible and Light-Penetrating Hydrogels for Water Decontamination. ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:8122-8128. [PMID: 31458948 PMCID: PMC6644841 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b01037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Solar light-activated photocatalyst nanoparticles (NPs) are promising environment-friendly low cost tools for water decontamination, but their dispersion in the environment must be minimized. Here, we propose the incorporation of TiO2-NPs (also in combination with graphene platelets) into highly biocompatible hydrogels as a promising approach for the production of photoactive materials for water treatment. We also propose a convenient fluorescence-based method to investigate the hydrogel photocatalytic activity in real time with a conventional fluorimeter. Kinetics analysis of the degradation profile of a target fluorescent model pollutant demonstrates that fast degradation occurs in the matrix bulk. Fluorescence anisotropy proved that small pollutant molecules diffuse freely in the hydrogel. Rheological and scanning electron microscopy characterization showed that the TiO2-NP incorporation does not significantly alter the hydrogel mechanical and morphological properties.
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Esposito CL, Kirilov P, Roullin VG. Organogels, promising drug delivery systems: an update of state-of-the-art and recent applications. J Control Release 2018; 271:1-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Zanna N, Tomasini C. Peptide-Based Physical Gels Endowed with Thixotropic Behaviour. Gels 2017; 3:E39. [PMID: 30920535 PMCID: PMC6318593 DOI: 10.3390/gels3040039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Thixotropy is one of the oldest documented rheological phenomenon in colloid science and may be defined as an increase of viscosity in a state of rest and a decrease of viscosity when submitted to a constant shearing stress. This behavior has been exploited in recent years to prepare injectable hydrogels for application in drug delivery systems. Thixotropic hydrogels may be profitably used in the field of regenerative medicine, which promotes tissue healing after injuries and diseases, as the molten hydrogel may be injected by syringe and then self-adapts in the space inside the injection site and recovers the solid form. We will focus our attention on the preparation, properties, and some applications of biocompatible thixotropic hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Zanna
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician"-Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna-Via Selmi, 2-40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician"-Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna-Via Selmi, 2-40126 Bologna, Italy.
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Misra R, Sharma A, Shiras A, Gopi HN. Backbone Engineered γ-Peptide Amphitropic Gels for Immobilization of Semiconductor Quantum Dots and 2D Cell Culture. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2017; 33:7762-7768. [PMID: 28715636 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b01283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We are reporting a spontaneous supramolecular assembly of backbone engineered γ-peptide scaffold and its utility in the immobilization of semiconductor quantum dots and in cell culture. The stimulating feature of this γ-peptide scaffold is that it efficiently gelates both aqueous phosphate buffers and aromatic organic solvents. A comparative and systematic investigation reveals that the greater spontaneous self-aggregation property of γ-peptide over the α- and β-peptide analogues is mainly due to the backbone flexibility, increased hydrophobicity, and π-π stacking of γ-phenylalanine residues. The hydrogels and organogels obtained from the γ-peptide scaffold have been characterized through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR, circular dichroism (CD), wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and rheometric study. Additionally, the peptide hydrogel has displayed a stimuli-responsive and thixotropic signature, which leads to the injectable hydrogels. 2D cell culture studies using normal and cancer cell lines reveal the biocompatibility of γ-peptide hydrogels. Further, the immobilization of semiconductor core-shell quantum dots in the transparent γ-peptide organogels showed ordered arrangement of quantum dots along the peptide fibrillar network with retaining photophysical property. Overall, γ-peptide scaffolds may serve as potential templates for the design of new functional biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajkumar Misra
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institution of Science Education and Research , Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India
| | - Aman Sharma
- National Center for Cell Science, University of Pune Campus , Pune 411 007, India
| | - Anjali Shiras
- National Center for Cell Science, University of Pune Campus , Pune 411 007, India
| | - Hosahudya N Gopi
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institution of Science Education and Research , Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India
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