1
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O'Neill NS, Alvarez NJ, Schweitzer-Stenner R. Tuning the thermostability of GHG gels by salts at different positions on the Hofmeister scale. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14742. [PMID: 38926473 PMCID: PMC11208536 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65145-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The influence of Hofmeister cations (NH4+, Na+, Mg2+) and anions (H2PO4-, CH3COO-, Cl-, NO3-) on the thermostability of a GHG hydrogel was investigated. The combined results of UV circular dichroism (UVCD) and Small Amplitude Oscillatory Shear Rheology experiments reveal that the addition of salt reduces the stability of the gel phase and the underlying fibrils. In line with the cationic Hofmeister hierarchy, the chaotropic Mg2+ ions caused the greatest thermal destabilization of the gel phase with the gel → sol transition temperature Tgs value lowered by 10 °C. In the absence of salt, the gel → sol transition probed by the storage modulus and microscopy is biphasic. In the presence of salt, it becomes monophasic. Contrary to expectations the presence of Hofmeister anions leads to a nearly identical reduction of the gel → sol transition temperatures. However, UVCD spectra suggest that they affect the ππ-stacking between imidazole groups to a different extent. We relate the absence of ion specificity regarding the solubility of fibrils (probed by UVCD) to the observed enthalpy-entropy compensation of the dissolution process. Our results combined show how CD spectroscopy and rheology combined yields a more nuanced picture of the processes underlying the gel → sol transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichole S O'Neill
- Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Nicolas J Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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2
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Sharma A, Kaur N, Singh N. An Encyclopedic Compendium on Chemosensing Supramolecular Metal-Organic Gels. Chem Asian J 2024; 19:e202400258. [PMID: 38629210 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202400258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Chemosensing, an interdisciplinary scientific domain, plays a pivotal role ranging from environmental monitoring to healthcare diagnostics and (inter)national security. Metal-organic gels (MOGs) are recognized for their stability, selectivity, and responsiveness, making them valuable for chemosensing applications. Researchers have explored the development of MOGs based on different metal ions and ligands, allowing for tailored properties and sensitivities, and have even demonstrated their applications as portable sensors such as paper-based test strips for practical use. Herein, several studies related to MOGs development and their applications in the chemosensing field via UV-visible or luminance along with electrochemical approach are presented. These papers explored MOGs as versatile materials with their use in sensing bio or environmental analytes. This review provides a foundational understanding of key concepts, methodologies, and recent advancements in this field, fostering the scientific community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, 140001, Rupnagar, Panjab, India
| | - Navneet Kaur
- Department of Chemistry, Panjab University, 160014, Chandigarh, India
| | - Narinder Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, 140001, Rupnagar, Panjab, India
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3
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Li L, Zheng R, Sun R. Understanding multicomponent low molecular weight gels from gelators to networks. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00126-7. [PMID: 38570015 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The construction of gels from low molecular weight gelators (LMWG) has been extensively studied in the fields of bio-nanotechnology and other fields. However, the understanding gaps still prevent the prediction of LMWG from the full design of those gel systems. Gels with multicomponent become even more complicated because of the multiple interference effects coexist in the composite gel systems. AIM OF REVIEW This review emphasizes systems view on the understanding of multicomponent low molecular weight gels (MLMWGs), and summarizes recent progress on the construction of desired networks of MLMWGs, including self-sorting and co-assembly, as well as the challenges and approaches to understanding MLMWGs, with the hope that the opportunities from natural products and peptides can speed up the understanding process and close the gaps between the design and prediction of structures. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW This review is focused on three key concepts. Firstly, understanding the complicated multicomponent gels systems requires a systems perspective on MLMWGs. Secondly, several protocols can be applied to control self-sorting and co-assembly behaviors in those multicomponent gels system, including the certain complementary structures, chirality inducing and dynamic control. Thirdly, the discussion is anchored in challenges and strategies of understanding MLMWGs, and some examples are provided for the understanding of multicomponent gels constructed from small natural products and subtle designed short peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangchun Li
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China.
| | - Renlin Zheng
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Rongqin Sun
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
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4
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Cheng L, De Leon-Rodriguez LM, Gilbert EP, Loo T, Petters L, Yang Z. Self-assembly and hydrogelation of a potential bioactive peptide derived from quinoa proteins. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 259:129296. [PMID: 38199549 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
In this work the identification of peptides derived from quinoa proteins which could potentially self-assemble, and form hydrogels was carried out with TANGO, a statistical mechanical based algorithm that predicts β-aggregate propensity of peptides. Peptides with the highest aggregate propensity were subjected to gelling screening experiments from which the most promising bioactive peptide with sequence KIVLDSDDPLFGGF was selected. The self-assembling and hydrogelation properties of the C-terminal amidated peptide (KIVLDSDDPLFGGF-NH2) were studied. The effect of concentration, pH, and temperature on the secondary structure of the peptide were probed by circular dichroism (CD), while its nanostructure was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Results revealed the existence of random coil, α-helix, twisted β-sheet, and well-defined β-sheet secondary structures, with a range of nanostructures including elongated fibrils and bundles, whose proportion was dependant on the peptide concentration, pH, or temperature. The self-assembly of the peptide is demonstrated to follow established models of amyloid formation, which describe the unfolded peptide transiting from an α-helix-containing intermediate into β-sheet-rich protofibrils. The self-assembly is promoted at high concentrations, elevated temperatures, and pH values close to the peptide isoelectric point, and presumably mediated by hydrogen bond, hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, and π-π interactions (from the F residue). At 15 mg/mL and pH 3.5, the peptide self-assembled and formed a self-supporting hydrogel exhibiting viscoelastic behaviour with G' (1 Hz) ~2300 Pa as determined by oscillatory rheology measurements. The study describes a straightforward method to monitor the self-assembly of plant protein derived peptides; further studies are needed to demonstrate the potential application of the formed hydrogels in food and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirong Cheng
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | | | - Elliot Paul Gilbert
- Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee, NSW, Australia; Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Trevor Loo
- BioProtection Aotearoa, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Ludwig Petters
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Zhi Yang
- School of Food and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand.
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5
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Smith DK. Supramolecular gels - a panorama of low-molecular-weight gelators from ancient origins to next-generation technologies. SOFT MATTER 2023; 20:10-70. [PMID: 38073497 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01301d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Supramolecular gels, self-assembled from low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs), have a long history and a bright future. This review provides an overview of these materials, from their use in lubrication and personal care in the ancient world, through to next-generation technologies. In academic terms, colloid scientists in the 19th and early 20th centuries first understood such gels as being physically assembled as a result of weak interactions, combining a solid-like network having a degree of crystalline order with a highly mobile liquid-like phase. During the 20th century, industrial scientists began using these materials in new applications in the polymer, oil and food industries. The advent of supramolecular chemistry in the late 20th century, with its focus on non-covalent interactions and controlled self-assembly, saw the horizons for these materials shifted significantly beyond their historic rheological applications, expanding their potential. The ability to tune the LMWG chemical structure, manipulate hierarchical assembly, develop multi-component systems, and introduce new types of responsive and interactive behaviour, has been transformative. Furthermore, the dynamics of these materials are increasingly understood, creating metastable gels and transiently-fueled systems. New approaches to shaping and patterning gels are providing a unique opportunity for more sophisticated uses. These supramolecular advances are increasingly underpinning and informing next-generation applications - from drug delivery and regenerative medicine to environmental remediation and sustainable energy. In summary, this article presents a panorama over the field of supramolecular gels, emphasising how both academic and industrial scientists are building on the past, and engaging new fundamental insights and innovative concepts to open up exciting horizons for their future use.
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Affiliation(s)
- David K Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
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6
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Du J, You Y, Reis RL, Kundu SC, Li J. Manipulating supramolecular gels with surfactants: Interfacial and non-interfacial mechanisms. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 318:102950. [PMID: 37352741 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.102950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Gel is a class of self-supporting soft materials with applications in many fields. Fast, controllable gelation, micro/nano structure and suitable rheological properties are essential considerations for the design of gels for specific applications. Many methods can be used to control these parameters, among which the additive approach is convenient as it is a simple physical mixing process with significant advantages, such as avoidance of pH change and external energy fields (ultrasound, UV light and others). Although surfactants are widely used to control the formation of many materials, particularly nanomaterials, their effects on gelation are less known. This review summarizes the studies that utilized different surfactants to control the formation, structure, and properties of molecular and silk fibroin gels. The mechanisms of surfactants, which are interfacial and non-interfacial effects, are classified and discussed. Knowledge and technical gaps are identified, and perspectives for further research are outlined. This review is expected to inspire increasing research interest in using surfactants for designing/fabricating gels with desirable formation kinetics, structure, properties and functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Du
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia
| | - Yue You
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark - Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Subhas C Kundu
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark - Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Jingliang Li
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia.
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7
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Buzzaccaro S, Ruzzi V, Gelain F, Piazza R. A Light Scattering Investigation of Enzymatic Gelation in Self-Assembling Peptides. Gels 2023; 9:gels9040347. [PMID: 37102959 PMCID: PMC10137429 DOI: 10.3390/gels9040347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-assembling peptides (SAPs) have been increasingly studied as hydrogel-former gelators because they can create biocompatible environments. A common strategy to trigger gelation, is to use a pH variation, but most methods result in a change in pH that is too rapid, leading to gels with hardly reproducible properties. Here, we use the urea-urease reaction to tune gel properties, by a slow and uniform pH increase. We were able to produce very homogeneous and transparent gels at several SAP concentrations, ranging from c=1g/L to c=10g/L. In addition, by exploiting such a pH control strategy, and combining photon correlation imaging with dynamic light scattering measurements, we managed to unravel the mechanism by which gelation occurs in solutions of (LDLK)3-based SAPs. We found that, in diluted and concentrated solutions, gelation follows different pathways. This leads to gels with different microscopic dynamics and capability of trapping nanoparticles. At high concentrations, a strong gel is formed, made of relatively thick and rigid branches that firmly entrap nanoparticles. By contrast, the gel formed in dilute conditions is weaker, characterized by entanglements and crosslinks of very thin and flexible filaments. The gel is still able to entrap nanoparticles, but their motion is not completely arrested. These different gel morphologies can potentially be exploited for controlled multiple drug release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Buzzaccaro
- Department of Chemistry, Materials Science, and Chemical Engineering (CMIC), Politecnico di Milano, Edificio 6, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ruzzi
- Department of Chemistry, Materials Science, and Chemical Engineering (CMIC), Politecnico di Milano, Edificio 6, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Gelain
- Unità di Ingegneria Tissutale, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Center for Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering, ASST GOM Niguarda, 20162 Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Piazza
- Department of Chemistry, Materials Science, and Chemical Engineering (CMIC), Politecnico di Milano, Edificio 6, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
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8
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Hiew SH, Lu Y, Han H, Gonçalves RA, Alfarano SR, Mezzenga R, Parikh AN, Mu Y, Miserez A. Modulation of Mechanical Properties of Short Bioinspired Peptide Materials by Single Amino-Acid Mutations. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:3382-3393. [PMID: 36730942 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c09853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of modular peptide repeats in load-bearing (structural) proteins is common in nature, with distinctive peptide sequences that often remain conserved across different phylogenetic lineages. These highly conserved peptide sequences endow specific mechanical properties to the material, such as toughness or elasticity. Here, using bioinformatic tools and phylogenetic analysis, we have identified the GX8 peptide with the sequence GLYGGYGX (where X can be any residue) in a wide range of organisms. By simple mutation of the X residue, we demonstrate that GX8 can be self-assembled into various supramolecular structures, exhibiting vastly different physicochemical and viscoelastic properties, from liquid-like coacervate microdroplets to hydrogels to stiff solid materials. A combination of spectroscopic, electron microscopy, mechanical, and molecular dynamics studies is employed to obtain insights into molecular scale interactions driving self-assembly of GX8 peptides, underscoring that π-π stacking and hydrophobic interactions are the drivers of peptide self-assembly, whereas the X residue determines the extent of hydrogen bonding that regulates the macroscopic mechanical response. This study highlights the ability of single amino-acid polymorphism to tune the supramolecular assembly and bulk material properties of GX8 peptides, enabling us to cover a broad range of potential biomedical applications such as hydrogels for tissue engineering or coacervates for drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Hui Hiew
- Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Yang Lu
- Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Hao Han
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Rui A Gonçalves
- Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Serena Rosa Alfarano
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Raffaele Mezzenga
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Atul N Parikh
- Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.,Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Yuguang Mu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Ali Miserez
- Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
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9
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Thursch LJ, Lima TA, O'Neill N, Ferreira FF, Schweitzer-Stenner R, Alvarez NJ. Influence of central sidechain on self-assembly of glycine-x-glycine peptides. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:394-409. [PMID: 36454226 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01082h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) are the subject of intense research for a range of biomedical and engineering applications. Peptides are a special class of LMWG, which offer infinite sequence possibilities and, therefore, engineered properties. This work examines the propensity of the GxG peptide family, where x denotes a guest residue, to self-assemble into fibril networks via changes in pH and ethanol concentration. These triggers for gelation are motivated by recent work on GHG and GAG, which unexpectedly self-assemble into centimeter long fibril networks with unique rheological properties. The propensity of GxG peptides to self-assemble, and the physical and chemical properties of the self-assembled structures are characterized by microscopy, spectroscopy, rheology, and X-ray diffraction. Interestingly, we show that the number, length, size, and morphology of the crystalline self-assembled aggregates depend significantly on the x-residue chemistry and the solution conditions, i.e. pH, temperature, peptide concentration, etc. The different x-residues allow us to probe the importance of different peptide interactions, e.g. π-π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobicity, on the formation of fibrils. We conclude that fibril formation requires π-π stacking interactions in pure water, while hydrogen bonding can form fibrils in the presence of ethanol-water solutions. These results validate and support theoretical arguments on the propensity for self-assembly and leads to a better understanding of the relationship between peptide chemistry and fibril self-assembly. Overall, GxG peptides constitute a unique family of peptides, whose characterization will aid in advancing our understanding of self-assembly driving forces for fibril formation in peptide systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavenia J Thursch
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Thamires A Lima
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Nichole O'Neill
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Fabio F Ferreira
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Nicolas J Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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10
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Abraham B, Agredo P, Mensah SG, Nilsson BL. Anion Effects on the Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Cationic Phenylalanine Derivatives. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:15494-15505. [PMID: 36473193 PMCID: PMC9776537 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Supramolecular hydrogels have emerged as a class of promising biomaterials for applications such as drug delivery and tissue engineering. Self-assembling peptides have been well studied for such applications, but low molecular weight (LMW) amino acid-derived gelators have attracted interest as low-cost alternatives with similar emergent properties. Fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanine (Fmoc-Phe) is one such privileged motif often chosen due to its inherent self-assembly potential. Previously, we developed cationic Fmoc-Phe-DAP gelators that assemble into hydrogel networks in aqueous NaCl solutions of sufficient ionic strength. The chloride anions in these solutions screen the cationic charge of the gelators to enable self-assembly to occur. Herein, we report the effects of varying the anions of sodium salts on the gelation potential, nanoscale morphology, and hydrogel viscoelastic properties of Fmoc-Phe-DAP and two of its fluorinated derivatives, Fmoc-3F-Phe-DAP and Fmoc-F5-Phe-DAP. It was observed that both the anion identity and gelator structure had a significant impact on the self-assembly and gelation properties of these derivatives. Changing the anion identity resulted in significant polymorphism of the nanoscale morphology of the assembled states that was dependent on the chemical structure of the gelator. The emergent viscoelastic character of the hydrogel networks was also found to be reliant on the anion identity and gelator structure. These results demonstrate the complex interplay between the gelator and environment that have a profound and often unpredictable impact on both self-assembly properties and emergent viscoelasticity in supramolecular hydrogels formed by LMW compounds. This work also illustrates the current lack of understanding that limits the rational design of potential biomaterials that will be in contact with complex biological fluids and provides motivation for additional research to correlate the chemical structure of LMW gelators with the structure and emergent properties of the resulting supramolecular assemblies as a function of environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany
L. Abraham
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627-0216, United States
| | - Pamela Agredo
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627-0216, United States
| | - Samantha G. Mensah
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627-0216, United States
| | - Bradley L. Nilsson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627-0216, United States
- Materials
Science Program, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627-0166, United States
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11
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Guo Q, Zou G, Qian X, Chen S, Gao H, Yu J. Hydrogen-bonds mediate liquid-liquid phase separation of mussel derived adhesive peptides. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5771. [PMID: 36182948 PMCID: PMC9526746 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33545-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine mussels achieve strong underwater adhesion by depositing mussel foot proteins (Mfps) that form coacervates during the protein secretion. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern the phase separation behaviors of the Mfps are still not fully understood. Here, we report that GK-16*, a peptide derived from the primary adhesive protein Mfp-5, forms coacervate in seawater conditions. Molecular dynamics simulations combined with point mutation experiments demonstrate that Dopa- and Gly- mediated hydrogen-bonding interactions are essential in the coacervation process. The properties of GK-16* coacervates could be controlled by tuning the strength of the electrostatic and Dopa-mediated hydrogen bond interactions via controlling the pH and salt concentration of the solution. The GK-16* coacervate undergoes a pH induced liquid-to-gel transition, which can be utilized for the underwater delivery and curing of the adhesives. Our study provides useful molecular design principles for the development of mussel-inspired peptidyl coacervate adhesives with tunable properties. The phase separation in the coacervates of adhesive muscle foot proteins is not fully understood. Here, the authors use simulations and point mutations of a mussel foot derived protein to show that hydrogen bonding is essential in the formation of coacervates in sea water which can help develop underwater adhesives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Guo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 637553, Singapore
| | - Guijin Zou
- Institute of High Performance Computing, A*STAR, Singapore, 138632, Singapore
| | - Xuliang Qian
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Shujun Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 637553, Singapore
| | - Huajian Gao
- Institute of High Performance Computing, A*STAR, Singapore, 138632, Singapore. .,School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore.
| | - Jing Yu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 637553, Singapore. .,Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 637553, Singapore.
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12
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Misra R, Tang Y, Chen Y, Chakraborty P, Netti F, Vijayakanth T, Shimon LJW, Wei G, Adler-Abramovich L. Exploiting Minimalistic Backbone Engineered γ-Phenylalanine for the Formation of Supramolecular Co-Polymer. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200223. [PMID: 35920234 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ordered supramolecular hydrogels assembled by modified aromatic amino acids often exhibit low mechanical rigidity. Aiming to stabilize the hydrogel and understand the impact of conformational freedom and hydrophobicity on the self-assembly process, we designed two building blocks based on 9-fluorenyl-methoxycarbonyl-phenylalanine (Fmoc-Phe) gelator which contain two extra methylene units in the backbone, generating Fmoc-γPhe and Fmoc-(3-hydroxy)-γPhe. Fmoc-γPhe spontaneously assembled in aqueous media forming a hydrogel with exceptional mechanical and thermal stability. Moreover, Fmoc-(3-hydroxy)-γPhe, with an extra backbone hydroxyl group decreasing its hydrophobicity while maintaining some molecular flexibility, self-assembled into a transient fibrillar hydrogel, that later formed microcrystalline aggregates through phase transition. Molecular dynamics simulations and single crystal X-ray analyses revealed the mechanism underlying the two residues' distinct self-assembly behaviors. Finally, we demonstrated Fmoc-γPhe and Fmoc-(3-OH)-γPhe co-assembly to form a supramolecular hydrogel with notable mechanical properties. We believe that the understanding of the structure-assembly relationship will enable the design of new functional amino acid-based hydrogels. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajkumar Misra
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, the Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel.,Dept. of Med. Chem, NIPER Mohali, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali), 160062, India
| | - Yiming Tang
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (MOE) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures (Nanjing), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Yujie Chen
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (MOE) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures (Nanjing), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Priyadarshi Chakraborty
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, the Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Francesca Netti
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, the Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Thangavel Vijayakanth
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research George S. Wise, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Linda J W Shimon
- Department of Chemical Research Support, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Guanghong Wei
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (MOE) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures (Nanjing), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Lihi Adler-Abramovich
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, the Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
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Netti F, Aviv M, Dan Y, Rudnick-Glick S, Halperin-Sternfeld M, Adler-Abramovich L. Stabilizing gelatin-based bioinks under physiological conditions by incorporation of ethylene-glycol-conjugated Fmoc-FF peptides. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:8525-8533. [PMID: 35660804 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr08206j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decade, three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies have attracted the interest of researchers due to the possibility of fabricating tissue- and organ-like structures with similarities to the organ of interest. One of the most widely used materials for the fabrication of bioinks is gelatin (Gel) due to its excellent biocompatibility properties. However, in order to fabricate stable scaffolds under physiological conditions, the most common approach is to use gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) that allows the crosslinking and therefore the stabilization of the hydrogel through UV crosslinking. The crosslinking process can be harmful to cells thus decreasing total cell viability. To overcome the need for post-printing crosslinking, a new approach of bioink formulation was studied, incorporating the Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF) peptide into the Gel bioink. However, although Fmoc-FF possesses excellent mechanical properties, the lack of elasticity and viscosity makes it unsuitable for 3D-printing. Here, we demonstrate that covalent conjugation of two different ethylene glycol (EG) motifs to the Fmoc-FF peptide increases the hydrophilicity and elasticity properties, which are essential for 3D-printing. This new approach for bioink formulation avoids the need for any post-printing manufacturing processes, such as chemical or UV crosslinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Netti
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- The Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Moran Aviv
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- The Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Afeka Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering, Israel
| | - Yoav Dan
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- The Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Safra Rudnick-Glick
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- The Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Michal Halperin-Sternfeld
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- The Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Lihi Adler-Abramovich
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- The Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Israel
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