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Zeng L, Kang D, Zhu L, Zhou Z, Li Y, Ling W, Zhang Y, Yu DG, Kim I, Song W. Poly(phenylalanine) and poly(3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine): Promising biomedical materials for building stimuli-responsive nanocarriers. J Control Release 2024; 372:810-828. [PMID: 38968969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.07.002] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is a serious threat to human health because of its high annual mortality rate. It has attracted significant attention in healthcare, and identifying effective strategies for the treatment and relief of cancer pain requires urgency. Drug delivery systems (DDSs) offer the advantages of excellent efficacy, low cost, and low toxicity for targeting drugs to tumor sites. In recent decades, copolymer carriers based on poly(phenylalanine) (PPhe) and poly(3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine) (PDopa) have been extensively investigated owing to their good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and controllable stimulus responsiveness, which have resulted in DDSs with loading and targeted delivery capabilities. In this review, we introduce the synthesis of PPhe and PDopa, highlighting the latest proposed synthetic routes and comparing the differences in drug delivery between PPhe and PDopa. Subsequently, we summarize the various applications of PPhe and PDopa in nanoscale-targeted DDSs, providing a comprehensive analysis of the drug release behavior based on different stimulus-responsive carriers using these two materials. In the end, we discuss the challenges and prospects of polypeptide-based DDSs in the field of cancer therapy, aiming to promote their further development to meet the growing demands for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingcong Zeng
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China
| | - Dandan Kang
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China
| | - Linglin Zhu
- Oncology Department of Huadong Hospital, Minimally Invasive Tumor Treatment Center, No. 139 Yan'an West Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, China 200040
| | - Zunkang Zhou
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China
| | - Yichong Li
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China
| | - Wei Ling
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China
| | - Yu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, PR China
| | - Deng-Guang Yu
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China
| | - Il Kim
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Wenliang Song
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China.
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2
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Cenciarelli F, Pieraccini S, Masiero S, Falini G, Giuri D, Tomasini C. Experimental Correlation between Apparent p Ka and Gelation Propensity in Amphiphilic Hydrogelators Derived from l-Dopa. Biomacromolecules 2024. [PMID: 39013138 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
We report the gelation propensity of three gelators derived from l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-Dopa), where the amino group is derivatized with three different fatty acids (lauric acid, palmitic acid, and azelaic acid). The long aliphatic side chains should introduce additional van der Waals interactions among the molecules, contributing to the self-assembly process. The hydrogels have been prepared with the pH change method, and both the hydrogels and the corresponding aerogels have been analyzed using several techniques. In any case, Lau-Dopa provides stronger hydrogels compared with the other gelators. This property may be ascribed to its tendency to efficiently form supramolecular β-sheet structures, as outlined by the ECD, IR, and SEM analyses. Moreover, the preliminary measurement of the apparent pKa displays for Lau-Dopa two plateaux, as previously observed for, one at about pH 12 and a second one at pH 7.5. Thus, its pKa results in two apparent pKa shifts of ∼8.5 and ∼4 pH units above the theoretical pKa, as a consequence of a multistep self-assembly pathway that correlates, in the final β-sheet-based hydrogel, with a high degree of order and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabia Cenciarelli
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti, 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Pieraccini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti, 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Masiero
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti, 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Falini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti, 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti, 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti, 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy
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3
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Giuri D, Cenciarelli F, Tomasini C. Low-molecular-weight gels from amino acid and peptide derivatives for controlled release and delivery. J Pept Sci 2024:e3643. [PMID: 39010663 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3643] [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: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Low-molecular-weight (LMW) gelators are a versatile class of compounds able to self-assemble and to form supramolecular materials, such as gels. The use of LMW peptides to produce these gels shows many advantages, because of their wide structure tunability, the low-cost and effective synthesis, and the in vivo biocompatibility and biodegradability, which makes them optimal candidates for release and delivery applications. In addition, in these materials, the binding of the hosts may occur through a variety of noncovalent interactions, which are also the main factors responsible for the self-assembly of the gelators, and through specific interactions with the fibers or the pores of the gel matrix. This review aims to report LMW gels based on amino acid and peptide derivatives used for the release of many different species (drugs, fragrances, dyes, proteins, and cells) with a focus on the possible strategies to incorporate the cargo in these materials, and to demonstrate how versatile these self-assembled materials are in several applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabia Cenciarelli
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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4
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Du L, Yang D, Wu L, Mei L, Wu S, Ba Y, Bao Y, Su R, Song L. Integration of Gut Microbiota, Serum Metabolomic, and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Anti Insomnia Mechanism of Mongolian Medicine Sugemule-4 Decoction on Insomnia Model Rats. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:2617-2639. [PMID: 38957410 PMCID: PMC11217142 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s455600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To explored the potential molecular mechanism of Sugemule-4 decoction (MMS-4D) in treating insomnia. Methods DL-4-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) + chronic unpredictable mild stress stimulation (CUMS) was used to induce an insomnia model in rats. After the model was successfully established, MMS-4D was intervened at low, medium, and high doses for 7 days. The open-field test (OFT) was used to preliminarily evaluate the efficacy. The potential mechanism of MMS-4D in treating insomnia was investigated using gut microbiota, serum metabolomics, and network pharmacology (NP). Experimental validation of the main components of the key pathways was carried out using ELISA and Western blot. Results The weights of the insomnia-model rats were significantly raised (p ≤ 0.05), the total exercise distance in the OFT increased (p ≤ 0.05), the rest time shortened, and the number of standing times increased (p ≤ 0.05), after treatment with MMS-4D. Moreover, there was a substantial recovery in the 5-HT, DA, GABA, and Glu levels in the hypothalamus tissue and the 5-HT and GABA levels in the colon tissue of rats. The expression of DAT and DRD1 proteins in the hippocampus of insomnia rats reduced after drug treatment. MMS-4D may treat insomnia by regulating different crucial pathways including 5-HT -, DA -, GABA -, and Glu-mediated neuroactive light receiver interaction, cAMP signaling pathway, serotonergic, glutamatergic, dopaminergic, and GABAergic synapses. Conclusion This study revealed that MMS-4D can improve the general state and behavioral changes of insomnia model rats. Its mechanism may be related to the reversal of abnormal pathways mediated by 5-HT, DA, GABA, and Glu, such as Serotonergic synapse, Dopaminergic synapse, Glutamatergic synapse, and GABAergic synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Du
- College of Mongolian Medical, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dezhi Yang
- Innovative Mongolian Medical Engineering Research Center, Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lan Wu
- College of Mongolian Medical, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Mei
- College of Mongolian Medical, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sarula Wu
- College of Mongolian Medical, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yasula Ba
- College of Mongolian Medical, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongchang Bao
- College of Mongolian Medical, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rigugaqiqige Su
- College of Mongolian Medical, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin Song
- College of Mongolian Medical, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China
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Ohata J. Friedel-Crafts reactions for biomolecular chemistry. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:3544-3558. [PMID: 38624091 DOI: 10.1039/d4ob00406j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Chemical tools and principles have become central to biological and medical research/applications by leveraging a range of classical organic chemistry reactions. Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation are arguably some of the most well-known and used synthetic methods for the preparation of small molecules but their use in biological and medical fields is relatively less frequent than the other reactions, possibly owing to the notion of their plausible incompatibility with biological systems. This review demonstrates advances in Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation reactions in a variety of biomolecular chemistry fields. With the discoveries and applications of numerous biomolecule-catalyzed or -assisted processes, these reactions have garnered considerable interest in biochemistry, enzymology, and biocatalysis. Despite the challenges of reactivity and selectivity of biomolecular reactions, the alkylation and acylation reactions demonstrated their utility for the construction and functionalization of all the four major biomolecules (i.e., nucleosides, carbohydrates/saccharides, lipids/fatty acids, and amino acids/peptides/proteins), and their diverse applications in biological, medical, and material fields are discussed. As the alkylation and acylation reactions are often fundamental educational components of organic chemistry courses, this review is intended for both experts and nonexperts by discussing their basic reaction patterns (with the depiction of each reaction mechanism in the ESI) and relevant real-world impacts in order to enrich chemical research and education. The significant growth of biomolecular Friedel-Crafts reactions described here is a testament to their broad importance and utility, and further development and investigations of the reactions will surely be the focus in the organic biomolecular chemistry fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ohata
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA.
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6
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Moretti M, Hountondji M, Ge R, Emwas AH, Bilalis P, Susapto HH, Alrashoudi A, Liu X, Briola GR, Hauser CAE. Selectively Positioned Catechol Moiety Supports Ultrashort Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogel Adhesion for Coral Restoration. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:17903-17920. [PMID: 38039288 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Coral reef survival is threatened globally. One way to restore this delicate ecosystem is to enhance coral growth by the controlled propagation of coral fragments. To be sustainable, this technique requires the use of biocompatible underwater adhesives. Hydrogels based on rationally designed ultrashort self-assembling peptides (USP) are of great interest for various biological and environmental applications, due to their biocompatibility and tunable mechanical properties. Implementing superior adhesion properties to the USP hydrogel compounds is crucial in both water and high ionic strength solutions and is relevant in medical and marine environmental applications such as coral regeneration. Some marine animals secrete large quantities of the aminoacids dopa and lysine to enhance their adhesion to wet surfaces. Therefore, the addition of catechol moieties to the USP sequence containing lysine (IIZK) should improve the adhesive properties of USP hydrogels. However, it is challenging to place the catechol moiety (Do) within the USP sequence at an optimal position without compromising the hydrogel self-assembly process and mechanical properties. Here, we demonstrate that, among three USP hydrogels, DoIIZK is the least adhesive and that the adhesiveness of the IIZDoK hydrogel is compromised by its poor mechanical properties. The best adhesion outcome was achieved using the IIZKDo hydrogel, the only one to show equally sound adhesive and mechanical properties. A mechanistic understanding of this outcome is presented here. This property was confirmed by the successful gluing of coral fragments by means of IIZKDo hydrogel that are still thriving after more than three years since the deployment. The validated biocompatibility of this underwater hydrogel glue suggests that it could be advantageously implemented for other applications, such as surgical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manola Moretti
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Bioscience Research Center, Division of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maria Hountondji
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Bioscience Research Center, Division of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rui Ge
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Bioscience Research Center, Division of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul-Hamid Emwas
- KAUST Core Laboratories, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Panayiotis Bilalis
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Bioscience Research Center, Division of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hepi H Susapto
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Bioscience Research Center, Division of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulelah Alrashoudi
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Bioscience Research Center, Division of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Xinzhi Liu
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Bioscience Research Center, Division of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Giuseppina R Briola
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Bioscience Research Center, Division of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Charlotte A E Hauser
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Bioscience Research Center, Division of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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Monti M, Scarel E, Hassanali A, Stener M, Marchesan S. Diverging conformations guide dipeptide self-assembly into crystals or hydrogels. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:10948-10951. [PMID: 37605851 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc02682e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
The prediction of dipeptide assembly into crystals or gels is challenging. This work reveals the diverging conformational landscape that guides self-organization towards different outcomes. In silico and experimental data enabled deciphering of the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra of self-assembling dipeptides to reveal folded or extended conformers as key players.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Monti
- Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste 34127, Italy.
| | - E Scarel
- Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste 34127, Italy.
| | - A Hassanali
- The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Strada Costiera 11, Trieste 34151, Italy
| | - M Stener
- Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste 34127, Italy.
| | - S Marchesan
- Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste 34127, Italy.
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8
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Zhang S, De Leon Rodriguez LM, Li FF, Brimble MA. Recent developments in the cleavage, functionalization, and conjugation of proteins and peptides at tyrosine residues. Chem Sci 2023; 14:7782-7817. [PMID: 37502317 PMCID: PMC10370606 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc02543h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide and protein selective modification at tyrosine residues has become an exploding field of research as tyrosine constitutes a robust alternative to lysine and cysteine-targeted traditional peptide/protein modification protocols. This review offers a comprehensive summary of the latest advances in tyrosine-selective cleavage, functionalization, and conjugation of peptides and proteins from the past three years. This updated overview complements the extensive body of work on site-selective modification of peptides and proteins, which holds significant relevance across various disciplines, including chemical, biological, medical, and material sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengping Zhang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory New Zealand
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland 23 Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland 3A Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
| | | | - Freda F Li
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland 23 Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland 1142 New Zealand
| | - Margaret A Brimble
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland 23 Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland 3A Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland 1142 New Zealand
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9
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Cenciarelli F, Falini G, Giuri D, Tomasini C. Controlled Lactonization of o-Coumaric Esters Mediated by Supramolecular Gels. Gels 2023; 9:gels9040350. [PMID: 37102962 PMCID: PMC10137337 DOI: 10.3390/gels9040350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragrances are volatile organic compounds widely used in our daily life. Unfortunately, the high volatility required to reach human receptors reduces their persistency in the air. To contrast this effect, several strategies may be used. Among them, we present here the combination of two techniques: the microencapsulation in supramolecular gels and the use of profragrances. We report a study on the controlled lactonization of four esters derived from o-coumaric acid. The ester lactonization spontaneously occurs after exposure to solar light, releasing coumarin and the corresponding alcohol. To determine the rate of fragrance release, we compared the reaction in solution and in a supramolecular gel and we demonstrated that the lactonization reaction always occurs slower in the gel. We also studied the more suitable gel for this aim, by comparing the properties of two supramolecular gels obtained with the gelator Boc-L-DOPA(Bn)2-OH in a 1:1 ethanol/water mixture in different gelator concentration (0.2% and 1% w/v). The gel prepared with 1% w/v gelator concentration is stronger and less transparent than the other and was used for the profragrances encapsulation. In any case, we obtained a significative reduction of lactonization reaction in gel, compared with the same reaction in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabia Cenciarelli
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Falini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Demetra Giuri
- 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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10
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Bellotto O, D'Andrea P, Marchesan S. Nanotubes and water-channels from self-assembling dipeptides. J Mater Chem B 2023. [PMID: 36790014 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb02643k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Dipeptides are attractive building blocks for biomaterials in light of their inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and simplicity of preparation. Since the discovery of diphenylalanine (Phe-Phe) self-assembling ability into nanotubes, research efforts have been devoted towards the identification of other dipeptide sequences capable of forming these interesting nanomorphologies, although design rules towards nanotube formation are still elusive. In this review, we analyze the dipeptide sequences reported thus far for their ability to form nanotubes, which often feature water-filled supramolecular channels as revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, as well as their properties, and their potential biological applications, which span from drug delivery and regenerative medicine, to bioelectronics and bioimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ottavia Bellotto
- Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Paola D'Andrea
- Life Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128 Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy. .,INSTM, Unit of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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11
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Lutz TM, Kimna C, Casini A, Lieleg O. Bio-based and bio-inspired adhesives from animals and plants for biomedical applications. Mater Today Bio 2022; 13:100203. [PMID: 35079700 PMCID: PMC8777159 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
With the "many-headed" slime mold Physarum polycelphalum having been voted the unicellular organism of the year 2021 by the German Society of Protozoology, we are reminded that a large part of nature's huge variety of life forms is easily overlooked - both by the general public and researchers alike. Indeed, whereas several animals such as mussels or spiders have already inspired many scientists to create novel materials with glue-like properties, there is much more to discover in the flora and fauna. Here, we provide an overview of naturally occurring slimy substances with adhesive properties and categorize them in terms of the main chemical motifs that convey their stickiness, i.e., carbohydrate-, protein-, and glycoprotein-based biological glues. Furthermore, we highlight selected recent developments in the area of material design and functionalization that aim at making use of such biological compounds for novel applications in medicine - either by conjugating adhesive motifs found in nature to biological or synthetic macromolecules or by synthetically creating (multi-)functional materials, which combine adhesive properties with additional, problem-specific (and sometimes tunable) features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa M. Lutz
- School of Engineering and Design, Department of Materials Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 15, Garching, 85748, Germany
- Center for Protein Assemblies, Technical University of Munich, Ernst-Otto-Fischer Str. 8, Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Ceren Kimna
- School of Engineering and Design, Department of Materials Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 15, Garching, 85748, Germany
- Center for Protein Assemblies, Technical University of Munich, Ernst-Otto-Fischer Str. 8, Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Angela Casini
- Chair of Medicinal and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Oliver Lieleg
- School of Engineering and Design, Department of Materials Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 15, Garching, 85748, Germany
- Center for Protein Assemblies, Technical University of Munich, Ernst-Otto-Fischer Str. 8, Garching, 85748, Germany
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12
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Sanz-Novo M, León I, Alonso ER, Alonso JL. Unleashing the shape of L-DOPA at last. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 24:3546-3554. [PMID: 34908061 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp05066d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we report the first rotational study of neutral L-DOPA, an extensively used supramolecular synthon and an amino acid precursor of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline) using broadband and narrowband Fourier transform microwave spectroscopies coupled with a laser ablation vaporization system. The spectroscopic parameters derived from the analysis of the rotational spectrum conclusively identify the existence of four distinct conformers of L-DOPA in the supersonic jet, further rejecting the previously reported catechol ring-induced conformational restriction. The analysis of the 14N nuclear quadrupole coupling hyperfine structure further revealed the orientation of the N-bearing functional group, proving the existence of stabilizing N-H⋯π interactions for the observed structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Sanz-Novo
- Espectroscopía Molecular (GEM), Edificio Quifima Laboratorios de Espectroscopía y Bioespectroscopía Unidad Asociada CSIC, Parque Científico Uva Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo de Belén 5, Valladolid 47011, Spain.
| | - Iker León
- Espectroscopía Molecular (GEM), Edificio Quifima Laboratorios de Espectroscopía y Bioespectroscopía Unidad Asociada CSIC, Parque Científico Uva Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo de Belén 5, Valladolid 47011, Spain.
| | - Elena R Alonso
- Espectroscopía Molecular (GEM), Edificio Quifima Laboratorios de Espectroscopía y Bioespectroscopía Unidad Asociada CSIC, Parque Científico Uva Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo de Belén 5, Valladolid 47011, Spain.
| | - José L Alonso
- Espectroscopía Molecular (GEM), Edificio Quifima Laboratorios de Espectroscopía y Bioespectroscopía Unidad Asociada CSIC, Parque Científico Uva Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo de Belén 5, Valladolid 47011, Spain.
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