1
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Giuri D, Ravarino P, Tomasini C. Transparent Organogels as a Medium for the Light-Induced Conversion from Spiropyran to Merocyanine. Gels 2023; 9:932. [PMID: 38131918 PMCID: PMC10742928 DOI: 10.3390/gels9120932] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Low-molecular-weight peptide gelators are a versatile class of compounds able to form gels under a variety of conditions, even via simple ultrasound sonication. In this paper, the ability of Boc-L-Phe-D-Oxd-L-Phe-OBn to gelate three organic solvents (toluene, tert-butyl methyl ether, and ethanol) was evaluated. The rheological behaviour of the materials was assessed via strain sweep analysis, while the fibrous network was analysed via optical microscopy on the wet gels. The gel obtained from toluene is a highly transparent material, and the one from ethanol appears translucent, while the one from tert-butyl methyl ether is opaque. These gels were used to study the reversible light-induced transformation from spyropiran (SP) to merocyanine (MC) and back, as a model system to check the effect of the gel medium onto the rection kinetic. We observed that the solvent used to form the organogels has a crucial effect on the reaction, as gels from aprotic solvents stabilize the SP form, while the ones from protic solvents stabilize the MC form. We thus obtained a solid support to stabilize the two photochromic species just by changing the solvent polarity. Moreover, we could demonstrate that the self-assembled gels do not interfere with the light-driven conversion process, either starting from SP or MC, thus representing a valid and economical photochromic material.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Claudia Tomasini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (P.R.)
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2
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Kong J, Zhao S, Han X, Li W, Zhang J, Wang Y, Shen X, Xia Y, Li Z. Quantitative Ratiometric Biosensors Based on Fluorescent Ferrocene-Modified Histidine Dipeptide Nanoassemblies. Anal Chem 2023; 95:5053-5060. [PMID: 36892972 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescent proteins (FPs) provide a ratiometric readout for quantitative assessment of the destination of internalized biomolecules. FP-inspired peptide nanostructures that can compete with FPs in their capacity are the most preferred building blocks for the synthesis of fluorescent soft matter. However, realizing a ratiometric emission from a single peptide fluorophore remains exclusive since multicolor emission is a rare property in peptide nanostructures. Here, we describe a bioinspired peptidyl platform for ratiometric intracellular quantitation by employing a single ferrocene-modified histidine dipeptide. The intensiometric ratio of green to blue fluorescence correlates linearly with the concentration of the peptide by three orders of magnitude. The ratiometric fluorescence of the peptide is an assembly-induced emission originating from hydrogen bonds and aromatic interactions. Additionally, modular design enables ferrocene-modified histidine dipeptides to use as a general platform for the construction of intricate peptides that retain the ratiometric fluorescent properties. The ratiometric peptide technique promises flexibility in the design of a wide spectrum of stoichiometric biosensors for quantitatively understanding the trafficking and subcellular fate of biomolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Kong
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, P. R. China
| | - Shixuan Zhao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, P. R. China
| | - Xue Han
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, P. R. China
| | - Wenxin Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, P. R. China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Yuefei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Xihui Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, P. R. China
| | - Yinqiang Xia
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, P. R. China
| | - Zhonghong Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, P. R. China
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3
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Fmoc-Diphenylalanine Hydrogels: Optimization of Preparation Methods and Structural Insights. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15091048. [PMID: 36145269 PMCID: PMC9505424 DOI: 10.3390/ph15091048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels (HGs) are tri-dimensional materials with a non-Newtonian flow behaviour formed by networks able to encapsulate high amounts of water or other biological fluids. They can be prepared using both synthetic or natural polymers and their mechanical and functional properties may change according to the preparation method, the solvent, the pH, and to others experimental parameters. Recently, many short and ultra-short peptides have been investigated as building blocks for the formulation of biocompatible hydrogels suitable for different biomedical applications. Due to its simplicity and capability to gel in physiological conditions, Fmoc-FF dipeptide is one of the most studied peptide hydrogelators. Although its identification dates to 15 ago, its behaviour is currently studied because of the observation that the final material obtained is deeply dependent on the preparation method. To collect information about their formulation, here are reported some different strategies adopted until now for the Fmoc-FF HG preparation, noting the changes in the structural arrangement and behaviour in terms of stiffness, matrix porosity, and stability induced by the different formulation strategy on the final material.
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4
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Koshti B, Kshtriya V, Nardin C, Gour N. Chemical Perspective of the Mechanism of Action of Antiamyloidogenic Compounds Using a Minimalistic Peptide as a Reductionist Model. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:2851-2864. [PMID: 34264635 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The diphenylalanine (FF) residue which is present at the 19 and 20 positions of the amyloid beta (1-42) (Aβ42) peptide sequence is considered as a reductionist model for studying Aβ42 aggregation. FF self-assembles into well-ordered tubular structures via aromatic π-π stacking. Herein the manuscript, we have presented a chemical perspective on the mechanism of action of antiamyloid compounds by assessing their interaction with FF. Therefore, we first coincubated FF fibers with single amino acids, since they are constituted of different R side chains yet have a common structural unit. This study revealed a crucial role of aromatic rings and functional groups like thiol (-SH) in causing destabilization of FF assembly via their interaction with π-electrons participating in π-π stacking present in FF. We further studied the interaction of different nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other known antiamyloidogenic compounds, and host-guest inclusion compounds like cyclodextrin (CD) to assess their mechanism of action and to decipher the functional moiety present in these compounds which could cause destabilization of π-π stacking. From the coincubation experiments, we could surmise a crucial role of aromatic rings present in these compounds for causing interference in aromatic stacking. We further consolidated our observations through microscopy analysis by various spectroscopic methods such as aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE), fluorescence spectroscopy, solution-state 1H NMR, FTIR, and circular dichroism. The studies presented in the manuscript thus provide significant insights into the role of functional groups in imparting antiamyloid action and open new avenues for an efficient design of antiamyloid drugs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharti Koshti
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Indrashil University, Kadi, Mehsana, Gujarat 382740, India
| | - Vivekshinh Kshtriya
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Indrashil University, Kadi, Mehsana, Gujarat 382740, India
| | - Corinne Nardin
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Pau 64053, France
| | - Nidhi Gour
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Indrashil University, Kadi, Mehsana, Gujarat 382740, India
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382426, India
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5
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Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Peptide Nanostructures for Biomedical Applications. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26154587. [PMID: 34361740 PMCID: PMC8348434 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26154587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a challenging need for the development of new alternative nanostructures that can allow the coupling and/or encapsulation of therapeutic/diagnostic molecules while reducing their toxicity and improving their circulation and in-vivo targeting. Among the new materials using natural building blocks, peptides have attracted significant interest because of their simple structure, relative chemical and physical stability, diversity of sequences and forms, their easy functionalization with (bio)molecules and the possibility of synthesizing them in large quantities. A number of them have the ability to self-assemble into nanotubes, -spheres, -vesicles or -rods under mild conditions, which opens up new applications in biology and nanomedicine due to their intrinsic biocompatibility and biodegradability as well as their surface chemical reactivity via amino- and carboxyl groups. In order to obtain nanostructures suitable for biomedical applications, the structure, size, shape and surface chemistry of these nanoplatforms must be optimized. These properties depend directly on the nature and sequence of the amino acids that constitute them. It is therefore essential to control the order in which the amino acids are introduced during the synthesis of short peptide chains and to evaluate their in-vitro and in-vivo physico-chemical properties before testing them for biomedical applications. This review therefore focuses on the synthesis, functionalization and characterization of peptide sequences that can self-assemble to form nanostructures. The synthesis in batch or with new continuous flow and microflow techniques will be described and compared in terms of amino acids sequence, purification processes, functionalization or encapsulation of targeting ligands, imaging probes as well as therapeutic molecules. Their chemical and biological characterization will be presented to evaluate their purity, toxicity, biocompatibility and biodistribution, and some therapeutic properties in vitro and in vivo. Finally, their main applications in the biomedical field will be presented so as to highlight their importance and advantages over classical nanostructures.
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6
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Koga T, Kingetsu S, Higashi N. Supramolecular Nanofibers from Collagen-Mimetic Peptides Bearing Various Aromatic Groups at N-Termini via Hierarchical Self-Assembly. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4533. [PMID: 33926094 PMCID: PMC8123610 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-assembly of artificial peptides has been widely studied for constructing nanostructured materials, with numerous potential applications in the nanobiotechnology field. Herein, we report the synthesis and hierarchical self-assembly of collagen-mimetic peptides (CMPs) bearing various aromatic groups at the N-termini, including 2-naphthyl, 1-naphtyl, anthracenyl, and pyrenyl groups, into nanofibers. The CMPs (R-(GPO)n: n > 4) formed a triple helix structure in water at 4 °C, as confirmed via CD analyses, and their conformations were more stable with increasing hydrophobicity of the terminal aromatic group and peptide chain length. The resulting pre-organized triple helical CMPs showed diverse self-assembly into highly ordered nanofibers, reflecting their slight differences in hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance and configuration of aromatic templates. TEM analysis demonstrated that 2Np-CMPn (n = 6 and 7) and Py-CMP6 provided well-developed natural collagen-like nanofibers and An-CMPn (n = 5-7) self-assembled into rod-like micelle fibers. On the other hand, 2Np-CMP5 and 1Np-CMP6 were unable to form nanofibers under the same conditions. Furthermore, the Py-CMP6 nanofiber was found to encapsulate a guest hydrophobic molecule, Nile red, and exhibited unique emission behavior based on the specific nanostructure. In addition to the ability of CMPs to bind small molecules, their controlled self-assembly enables their versatile utilization in drug delivery and wavelength-conversion nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Koga
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0321, Japan;
| | | | - Nobuyuki Higashi
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0321, Japan;
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7
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Wu X, Yin J, Liu J, Gu Y, Wang S, Wang J. Colorimetric detection of glucose based on the binding specificity of a synthetic cyclic peptide. Analyst 2020; 145:7234-7241. [PMID: 32893268 DOI: 10.1039/d0an00211a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A novel colorimetric sensing method for glucose was developed based on the catalytic activity of Au nanoparticles (NPs) and a synthetic cyclic peptide that specifically binds with glucose. It is the first time that a cyclic peptide was used as a recognition element for glucose sensing. In the absence of glucose, the monolayers of cyclic peptide on the Au NP surfaces interfered little with the adsorption of 4-nitrophenol, and the Au NPs catalyze the reduction of bright yellow 4-nitrophenol to colorless 4-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH4. Added glucose was preferentially bound by the cyclic peptides and impeded the adsorption of 4-nitrophenol. Therefore, the color of the solution presented varying shades of yellow depending on the concentration of glucose. The method had a short response time of 10 min and demonstrated a linear response over a range of glucose concentrations from 0.1 mM to 20 mM, with a lower limit of detection of 0.04 mM. Meanwhile, it also provided results readily observable by the naked eye. The method was successfully applied for the detection of glucose in spiked food samples (Chinese cabbage, pear, and wheat flour) and spiked rabbit blood, and a good recovery rate of 88.04-103.28% and 94.27-101.53% was obtained, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Safety Control Technology in Food Processing, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China.
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8
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Kong J, Wang Y, Qi W, Huang M, Su R, He Z. Green fluorescent protein inspired fluorophores. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 285:102286. [PMID: 33164780 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2020.102286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Green fluorescence proteins (GFP) are appealing to a variety of biomedical and biotechnology applications, such as protein fusion, subcellular localizations, cell visualization, protein-protein interaction, and genetically encoded sensors. To mimic the fluorescence of GFP, various compounds, such as GFP chromophores analogs, hydrogen bond-rich proteins, and aromatic peptidyl nanostructures that preclude free rotation of the aryl-alkene bond, have been developed to adapt them for a fantastic range of applications. Herein, we firstly summarize the structure and luminescent mechanism of GFP. Based on this, the design strategy, fluorescent properties, and the advanced applications of GFP-inspired fluorophores are then carefully discussed. The diverse advantages of bioinspired fluorophores, such as biocompatibility, structural simplicity, and capacity to form a variety of functional nanostructures, endow them potential candidates as the next-generation bio-organic optical materials.
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9
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Gupta S, Singh I, Sharma AK, Kumar P. Ultrashort Peptide Self-Assembly: Front-Runners to Transport Drug and Gene Cargos. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:504. [PMID: 32548101 PMCID: PMC7273840 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The translational therapies to promote interaction between cell and signal come with stringent eligibility criteria. The chemically defined, hierarchically organized, and simpler yet blessed with robust intermolecular association, the peptides, are privileged to make the cut-off for sensing the cell-signal for biologics delivery and tissue engineering. The signature service and insoluble network formation of the peptide self-assemblies as hydrogels have drawn a spell of research activity among the scientists all around the globe in the past decades. The therapeutic peptide market players are anticipating promising growth opportunities due to the ample technological advancements in this field. The presence of the other organic moieties, enzyme substrates and well-established protecting groups like Fmoc and Boc etc., bring the best of both worlds. Since the large sequences of peptides severely limit the purification and their isolation, this article reviews the account of last 5 years' efforts on novel approaches for formulation and development of single molecule amino acids, ultra-short peptide self-assemblies (di- and tri- peptides only) and their derivatives as drug/gene carriers and tissue-engineering systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Gupta
- Chemistry Department, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Indu Singh
- Chemistry Department, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashwani K. Sharma
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
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10
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Wilkosz N, Czaja M, Seweryn S, Skirlińska-Nosek K, Szymonski M, Lipiec E, Sofińska K. Molecular Spectroscopic Markers of Abnormal Protein Aggregation. Molecules 2020; 25:E2498. [PMID: 32471300 PMCID: PMC7321069 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25112498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal protein aggregation has been intensively studied for over 40 years and broadly discussed in the literature due to its significant role in neurodegenerative diseases etiology. Structural reorganization and conformational changes of the secondary structure upon the aggregation determine aggregation pathways and cytotoxicity of the aggregates, and therefore, numerous analytical techniques are employed for a deep investigation into the secondary structure of abnormal protein aggregates. Molecular spectroscopies, including Raman and infrared ones, are routinely applied in such studies. Recently, the nanoscale spatial resolution of tip-enhanced Raman and infrared nanospectroscopies, as well as the high sensitivity of the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, have brought new insights into our knowledge of abnormal protein aggregation. In this review, we order and summarize all nano- and micro-spectroscopic marker bands related to abnormal aggregation. Each part presents the physical principles of each particular spectroscopic technique listed above and a concise description of all spectral markers detected with these techniques in the spectra of neurodegenerative proteins and their model systems. Finally, a section concerning the application of multivariate data analysis for extraction of the spectral marker bands is included.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ewelina Lipiec
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Kraków, Poland; (N.W.); (M.C.); (S.S.); (K.S.-N.); (M.S.)
| | - Kamila Sofińska
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Kraków, Poland; (N.W.); (M.C.); (S.S.); (K.S.-N.); (M.S.)
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11
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Nikoloudakis E, Orphanos E, Agapaki E, Nikolaou V, Charisiadis A, Charalambidis G, Mitraki A, Coutsolelos AG. Molecular self-assembly of porphyrin and BODIPY chromophores connected with diphenylalanine moieties. J PORPHYR PHTHALOCYA 2020. [DOI: 10.1142/s1088424619501864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a series of diphenylalanine tetra-substituted porphyrin derivatives were synthesized and their self-assembly ability was extensively studied. Apart from investigating the impact of incorporating many peptide moieties onto a porphyrin molecule; another perspective was investigated as well, namely the connection of two different chromophore entities (porphyrin and BODIPY) onto the same diphenylalanine molecule. Interestingly, various supra-molecular nanostructures were observed depending on the solvent mixture as well as the protecting group of the peptides, namely spheres, plaques and fibrils. The obtained self-assemblies were studied via UV-vis absorption and emission spectroscopies. Mainly red shifting was observed, indicating the formation of [Formula: see text]-aggregates in the self-assembled state. However, in one case a blue shifted UV-vis spectrum was obtained suggesting the formation of [Formula: see text]-type aggregates. Concerning the porphyrin-diphenylalanine-BODIPY derivative, additional fluorescence studies were performed in order to examine a possible interaction between the two chromophores in the excited state. Indeed, the emission measurements indicated that upon photo-excitation of the BODIPY entity, a very efficient energy or electron transfer process takes place from the BODIPY molecule to the porphyrin macrocycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanouil Nikoloudakis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Voutes Campus, 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Orphanos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Voutes Campus, 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Eleni Agapaki
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Voutes Campus, 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Vasilis Nikolaou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Voutes Campus, 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Asterios Charisiadis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Voutes Campus, 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Georgios Charalambidis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Voutes Campus, 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Anna Mitraki
- University of Crete, Department of Materials Science and Technology and Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (I.E.S.L.) Foundation for Research and Technology — Hellas (FO.R.T.H.) Vassilika Vouton, 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Voutes Campus, 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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12
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Roy K, Chetia M, Sarkar AK, Chatterjee S. Co-assembly of charge complementary peptides and their applications as organic dye/heavy metal ion (Pb 2+, Hg 2+) absorbents and arsenic( iii/ v) detectors. RSC Adv 2020; 10:42062-42075. [PMID: 35516776 PMCID: PMC9057852 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra08407g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Learning from nature, molecular self-assembly has been used extensively to generate interesting materials using a bottom up approach. The enthusiasm in this field of research stems from the unique properties of these materials and their diverse applications. The field has not been limited to studying assembly of similar types of molecules but extended to multi component systems via the co-assembly phenomenon. We have designed two charge complementary peptides to study their co-assembly in mechanistic detail in the present work. The cooperative self-assembly is mainly driven by electrostatic interaction that is aided by aromatic interactions, hydrogen bonding interactions and hydrophobic interactions. The hydrogels obtained have been employed in waste water remediation. Both the self-assembled and co-assembled hydrogels are capable of removal of different kinds of organic dyes (cationic, anionic and neutral) and toxic metal ions (Ni2+, Co2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+) individually and as a mixture from water with high efficiency. Additionally, the peptides developed in this study can act as ion sensors and detect arsenic in its most toxic (III/V) oxidation states. Molecular understanding of the assembly process is of fundamental importance in the rational design of such simple, robust yet economically viable materials with versatile and novel applications. Self- and co-assembled gels from charge complementary peptides with waste water remediation applications.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Karabi Roy
- Department of Chemistry
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Guwahati
- India
| | - Monikha Chetia
- Department of Chemistry
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Guwahati
- India
| | - Ankan Kumar Sarkar
- Department of Chemistry
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Guwahati
- India
| | - Sunanda Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Guwahati
- India
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Sequeira MA, Herrera MG, Dodero VI. Modulating amyloid fibrillation in a minimalist model peptide by intermolecular disulfide chemical reduction. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:11916-11923. [PMID: 31125036 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp01846h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Peptide structural transformation and aggregation is associated with a large number of outsider aetiology diseases, and it is intrinsically linked to amyloid peptide aggregation. Diphenylalanine self-assembled structures are used as robust minimalist beta amyloids not only to elucidate protein aggregation but also to generate hydrogels. Herein, we employed a neutral model peptide Ac-Phe-Phe-Cys-NH2 (Ac-FFC-NH2) to elucidate the role of intermolecular disulfide bonds in protein fibrillation. The Ac-FFC-NH2 peptide initially self-assembles into nanospheres that evolve to amyloid type fibrils under mild oxidative conditions. Incubation of the peptide in the presence of the chemical reduction agent TCEP inhibits the formation of the fibrils, detecting only spherical nanostructures with no secondary structure. Importantly, we triggered the transformation of the preformed linear straight amyloid fibrils to non-fibrillar structures by TCEP treatment. Under this condition, the amyloid bundles are transformed into rings, which evolve to a new spherical microstructure. We showed that the chemical reduction of intermolecular S-S in internal amyloid sequences might favour the off-path intermediates of amyloid fibril growth, even when the fibrils are formed. Our findings demonstrated that in internal amyloid sequences, the formation of intermolecular S-S promotes the formation of amyloid type fibrils; meanwhile, its reduction stabilises non-fibrillar structures. Altogether, this work provides fundamental understanding at the molecular and supramolecular level, thus facilitating the rational design of therapeutic tools for protein aggregation diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Alejandra Sequeira
- Instituto de Química del Sur (INQUISUR-CONICET), Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, 8000FTN Bahía Blanca, Argentina
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14
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Arnon ZA, Gilead S, Gazit E. Microfluidics for real-time direct monitoring of self- and co-assembly biomolecular processes. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 30:102001. [PMID: 30537683 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aaf7b1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Molecular self-assembly is a major approach for the fabrication of functional supramolecular nanomaterials. This dynamic, straightforward, bottom-up procedure may result in the formation of various architectures at the nano-scale, with remarkable physical and chemical characteristics. Biological and bio-inspired building blocks are especially attractive due to their intrinsic tendency to assemble into well-organized structures, as well as their inherent biocompatibility. To further expand the morphological diversity, co-assembly methods have been developed, allowing to produce alternative unique architectures, enhanced properties, and improved structural control. However, in many cases, mechanistic understanding of the self- and co-assembly processes is still lacking. Microfluidic techniques offer a set of exclusive tools for real-time monitoring of biomolecular self-organization, which is crucial for the study of such dynamic processes. Assembled nuclei, confined by micron-scale pillars, could be subjected to controlled environments aiming to assess the effect of different conditions on the assembly process. Other microfluidics setups can produce droplets at a rate of over 100 s-1, with volumes as small as several picoliters. Under these conditions, each droplet can serve as an individual pico/nano-reactor allowing nucleation and assembly. These processes can be monitored, analyzed and imaged, by various techniques including simple bright-field microscopy. Elucidating the mechanism of such molecular events may serve as a conceptual stepping-stone for the rational control of the resulting physicochemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohar A Arnon
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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Nikoloudakis E, Karikis K, Han J, Kokotidou C, Charisiadis A, Folias F, Douvas AM, Mitraki A, Charalambidis G, Yan X, Coutsolelos AG. A self-assembly study of PNA-porphyrin and PNA-BODIPY hybrids in mixed solvent systems. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:3557-3566. [PMID: 30543233 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr05667f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In this work a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) was covalently connected with two different chromophores, namely porphyrin and boron-dipyrromethene. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example in the literature where a PNA unit is covalently linked to such chromophores. The self-assembly properties of the hybrids were examined through electron microscopy experiments by adopting the "good-bad" solvent self-assembly protocol. For both hybrids (PNA-TPP and PNA-BDP) we were able to observe distinctive supramolecular architectures. During these studies we investigated the influence of the solvent system, the concentration and the deposition method on the morphology of the formed nanostructures. In the case of PNA-TPP under all examined conditions well-formed nanospheres were obtained. Interestingly, in the PNA-BDP hybrid by simply altering the solvent mixture, self-assemblies of two different morphologies were formed (spherical and flake shaped). Absorption and emission studies suggested the formation of J-aggregates in all the obtained nanostructures. The nano-architectures assembled by PNA conjugates are capable of light-harvesting and producing hydrogen using Pt nanoparticles as a photocatalyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanouil Nikoloudakis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Voutes Campus, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
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Mason TO, Buell AK. The Kinetics, Thermodynamics and Mechanisms of Short Aromatic Peptide Self-Assembly. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1174:61-112. [PMID: 31713197 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-9791-2_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The self-assembly of short aromatic peptides and peptide derivatives into a variety of different nano- and microstructures (fibrillar gels, crystals, spheres, plates) is a promising route toward the creation of bio-compatible materials with often unexpected and useful properties. Furthermore, such simple self-assembling systems have been proposed as model systems for the self-assembly of longer peptides, a process that can be linked to biological function and malfunction. Much effort has been made in the last 15 years to explore the space of peptide sequences, chemical modifications and solvent conditions in order to maximise the diversity of assembly morphologies and properties. However, quantitative studies of the corresponding mechanisms of, and driving forces for, peptide self-assembly have remained relatively scarce until recently. In this chapter we review the current state of understanding of the thermodynamic driving forces and self-assembly mechanisms of short aromatic peptides into supramolecular structures. We will focus on experimental studies of the assembly process and our perspective will be centered around diphenylalanine (FF), a key motif of the amyloid β sequence and a paradigmatic self-assembly building block. Our main focus is the basic physical chemistry and key structural aspects of such systems, and we will also compare the mechanism of dipeptide aggregation with that of longer peptide sequences into amyloid fibrils, with discussion on how these mechanisms may be revealed through detailed analysis of growth kinetics, thermodynamics and other fundamental properties of the aggregation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas O Mason
- Department of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alexander K Buell
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Lyngby, Denmark.
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Ramer G, Ruggeri FS, Levin A, Knowles TPJ, Centrone A. Determination of Polypeptide Conformation with Nanoscale Resolution in Water. ACS NANO 2018; 12:6612-6619. [PMID: 29932670 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b01425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The folding and acquisition of proteins native structure is central to all biological processes of life. By contrast, protein misfolding can lead to toxic amyloid aggregates formation, linked to the onset of neurodegenerative disorders. To shed light on the molecular basis of protein function and malfunction, it is crucial to access structural information on single protein assemblies and aggregates under native conditions. Yet, current conformation-sensitive spectroscopic methods lack the spatial resolution and sensitivity necessary for characterizing heterogeneous protein aggregates in solution. To overcome this limitation, here we use photothermal-induced resonance to demonstrate that it is possible to acquire nanoscale infrared spectra in water with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Using this approach, we probe supramolecular aggregates of diphenylalanine, the core recognition module of the Alzheimer's β-amyloid peptide, and its derivative Boc-diphenylalanine. We achieve nanoscale resolved IR spectra and maps in air and water with comparable SNR and lateral resolution, thus enabling accurate identification of the chemical and structural state of morphologically similar networks at the single aggregate ( i. e., fibril) level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Ramer
- Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology , National Institute of Standards and Technology , Gaithersburg , Maryland 20899 , United States
- Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics , University of Maryland , College Park , Maryland 20742 , United States
| | | | - Aviad Levin
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics , University of Cambridge , J J Thomson Avenue , Cambridge CB3 0HE , United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Centrone
- Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology , National Institute of Standards and Technology , Gaithersburg , Maryland 20899 , United States
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Makam P, Gazit E. Minimalistic peptide supramolecular co-assembly: expanding the conformational space for nanotechnology. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:3406-3420. [PMID: 29498728 PMCID: PMC6338309 DOI: 10.1039/c7cs00827a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Molecular self-assembly is a ubiquitous process in nature and central to bottom-up nanotechnology. In particular, the organization of peptide building blocks into ordered supramolecular structures has gained much interest due to the unique properties of the products, including biocompatibility, chemical and structural diversity, robustness and ease of large-scale synthesis. In addition, peptides, as short as dipeptides, contain all the molecular information needed to spontaneously form well-ordered structures at both the nano- and the micro-scale. Therefore, peptide supramolecular assembly has been effectively utilized to produce novel materials with tailored properties for various applications in the fields of material science, engineering, medicine, and biology. To further expand the conformational space of peptide assemblies in terms of structural and functional complexity, multicomponent (two or more) peptide supramolecular co-assembly has recently evolved as a promising extended approach, similar to the structural diversity of natural sequence-defined biopolymers (proteins) as well as of synthetic covalent co-polymers. The use of this methodology was recently demonstrated in various applications, such as nanostructure physical dimension control, the creation of non-canonical complex topologies, mechanical strength modulation, the design of light harvesting soft materials, fabrication of electrically conducting devices, induced fluorescence, enzymatic catalysis and tissue engineering. In light of these significant advancements in the field of peptide supramolecular co-assembly in the last few years, in this tutorial review, we provide an updated overview and future prospects of this emerging subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pandeeswar Makam
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel.
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Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Raymond
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627-0216, USA.
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Karikis K, Butkiewicz A, Folias F, Charalambidis G, Kokotidou C, Charisiadis A, Nikolaou V, Nikoloudakis E, Frelek J, Mitraki A, Coutsolelos AG. Self-assembly of (boron-dipyrromethane)-diphenylalanine conjugates forming chiral supramolecular materials. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:1735-1741. [PMID: 29308481 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr08667a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we present the synthesis of a series of boron-dipyrromethane (BDP) derivatives bearing diphenylalanine (FF) at their meso position via amide bond coupling. The BDP-FF bioconjugates are able to form self-assembled materials with different morphologies. By altering various parameters such as the protecting group of the FF peptide or the solvent system of the self-assembly process, we were able to obtain either fibrillar or spherical nanostructures. Furthermore, we confirmed that both the formation as well as the dissociation of the self-assemblies is a reversible procedure that can be achieved by simply altering the solvent mixture. Electronic circular dichroism (ECD) studies demonstrated a characteristic mirror image relationship regarding the FLFL and FDFD enantiomers, revealing the chiral nature of the obtained materials. Interestingly, an intense excitonic bisignate signal was observed in the ECD spectrum of the fibrillar structures, whereas the spherical assemblies remained ECD silent. What is more, the electronic circular dichroism studies were supported by quantum chemical calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kostas Karikis
- University of Crete, Department of Chemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Voutes Campus, 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
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