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Scarel E, De Corti M, Polentarutti M, Pierri G, Tedesco C, Marchesan S. Self-assembly of heterochiral, aliphatic dipeptides with Leu. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3559. [PMID: 38111175 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
This work describes the self-assembly behavior of heterochiral, aliphatic dipeptides, l-Leu-d-Xaa (Xaa = Ala, Val, Ile, Leu), in green solvents such as acetonitrile (MeCN) and buffered water at neutral pH. Interestingly, water plays a structuring role because at 1% v/v, it enables dipeptide self-assembly in MeCN to yield organogels, which then undergo transition towards crystals. Other organic solvents and oils were tested for gelation, and metastable gels were formed in tetrahydrofuran, although at high peptide concentration (80 mM). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed the dipeptides' supramolecular packing modes in amphipathic layers, as opposed to water channels reported for the homochiral Leu-Leu, or hydrophobic columns reported for homochiral Leu-Val and Leu-Ile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Scarel
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco De Corti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Pierri
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Consiglia Tedesco
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Bellotto O, Scarel E, Pierri G, Rozhin P, Kralj S, Polentarutti M, Bandiera A, Rossi B, Vargiu AV, Tedesco C, Marchesan S. Supramolecular Hydrogels and Water Channels of Differing Diameters from Dipeptide Isomers. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:2476-2485. [PMID: 38551400 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01439] [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: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Dipeptides stereoisomers and regioisomers composed of norleucine (Nle) and phenylalanine (Phe) self-assemble into hydrogels under physiological conditions that are suitable for cell culture. The supramolecular behavior, however, differs as the packing modes comprise amphipathic layers or water channels, whose diameter is defined by either four or six dipeptide molecules. A variety of spectroscopy, microscopy, and synchrotron-radiation-based techniques unveil fine details of intermolecular interactions that pinpoint the relationship between the chemical structure and ability to form supramolecular architectures that define soft biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ottavia Bellotto
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Erica Scarel
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pierri
- Department Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Petr Rozhin
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Slavko Kralj
- Department Materials Synthesis, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Antonella Bandiera
- Department Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Rossi
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 114 km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Attilio V Vargiu
- Department Physics, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria S.P. 8 km. 0.7, 09042 Monserrato, CA Italy
| | - Consiglia Tedesco
- Department Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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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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Bystrov V, Likhachev I, Filippov S, Paramonova E. Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Self-Assembly Processes of Diphenylalanine Peptide Nanotubes and Determination of Their Chirality. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:1905. [PMID: 37446422 DOI: 10.3390/nano13131905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we further developed a new approach for modeling the processes of the self-assembly of complex molecular nanostructures using molecular dynamics methods; in particular, using a molecular dynamics manipulator. Previously, this approach was considered using the example of the self-assembly of a phenylalanine helical nanotube. Now, a new application of the algorithm has been developed for implementing a similar molecular dynamic self-assembly into helical structures of peptide nanotubes (PNTs) based on other peptide molecules-namely diphenylalanine (FF) molecules of different chirality L-FF and D-FF. In this work, helical nanotubes were assembled from linear sequences of FF molecules with these initially different chiralities. The chirality of the obtained nanotubes was calculated by various methods, including calculation by dipole moments. In addition, a statistical analysis of the results obtained was performed. A comparative analysis of the structures of nanotubes was also performed using the method of visual differential analysis. It was found that FF PNTs obtained by the MD self-assembly method form helical nanotubes of different chirality. The regimes that form nanotubes of right chirality D from initial L-FF dipeptides and nanotubes of left chirality L from D-FF dipeptides are revealed. This corresponds to the law of changing the sign of the chirality of molecular helical structures as the level of their hierarchical organization becomes more complicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Bystrov
- Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology-Branch of Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, RAS, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Ilya Likhachev
- Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology-Branch of Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, RAS, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Sergey Filippov
- Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology-Branch of Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, RAS, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Paramonova
- Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology-Branch of Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, RAS, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
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Hansda B, Majumder J, Mondal B, Chatterjee A, Das S, Kumar S, Gachhui R, Castelletto V, Hamley IW, Sen P, Banerjee A. Histidine-Containing Amphiphilic Peptide-Based Non-Cytotoxic Hydrogelator with Antibacterial Activity and Sustainable Drug Release. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:7307-7316. [PMID: 37192174 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c00235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
A histidine-based amphiphilic peptide (P) has been found to form an injectable transparent hydrogel in phosphate buffer solution over a pH range from 7.0 to 8.5 with an inherent antibacterial property. It also formed a hydrogel in water at pH = 6.7. The peptide self-assembles into a nanofibrillar network structure which is characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and wide-angle powder X-ray diffraction. The hydrogel exhibits efficient antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli). The minimum inhibitory concentration of the hydrogel ranges from 20 to 100 μg/mL. The hydrogel is capable of encapsulation of the drugs naproxen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), amoxicillin (an antibiotic), and doxorubicin, (an anticancer drug), but, selectively and sustainably, the gel releases naproxen, 84% being released in 84 h and amoxicillin was released more or less in same manner with that of the naproxen. The hydrogel is biocompatible with HEK 293T cells as well as NIH (mouse fibroblast cell line) cells and thus has potential as a potent antibacterial and drug releasing agent. Another remarkable feature of this hydrogel is its magnification property like a convex lens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswanath Hansda
- School of Biological Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Jhilam Majumder
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
| | - Biplab Mondal
- School of Biological Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Akash Chatterjee
- School of Biological Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Subhadeep Das
- Purdue University, 175 South University Street, West Lafayette Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Sourav Kumar
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Ratan Gachhui
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
| | - Valeria Castelletto
- School of Chemistry, University of Reading, White knights, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AD, U.K
| | - Ian W Hamley
- School of Chemistry, University of Reading, White knights, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AD, U.K
| | - Prosenjit Sen
- School of Biological Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Arindam Banerjee
- School of Biological Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
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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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Self-Assembly and Gelation Study of Dipeptide Isomers with Norvaline and Phenylalanine. CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/chemistry4040093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Dipeptides have emerged as attractive building blocks for supramolecular materials thanks to their low-cost, inherent biocompatibility, ease of preparation, and environmental friendliness as they do not persist in the environment. In particular, hydrophobic amino acids are ideal candidates for self-assembly in polar and green solvents, as a certain level of hydrophobicity is required to favor their aggregation and reduce the peptide solubility. In this work, we analyzed the ability to self-assemble and the gel of dipeptides based on the amino acids norvaline (Nva) and phenylalanine (Phe), studying all their combinations and not yielding to enantiomers, which display the same physicochemical properties, and hence the same self-assembly behavior in achiral environments as those studied herein. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction of all the compounds revealed fine details over their molecular packing and non-covalent interactions.
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Self-Assembled Peptide Nanostructures for ECM Biomimicry. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12132147. [PMID: 35807982 PMCID: PMC9268130 DOI: 10.3390/nano12132147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Proteins are functional building blocks of living organisms that exert a wide variety of functions, but their synthesis and industrial production can be cumbersome and expensive. By contrast, short peptides are very convenient to prepare at a low cost on a large scale, and their self-assembly into nanostructures and gels is a popular avenue for protein biomimicry. In this Review, we will analyze the last 5-year progress on the incorporation of bioactive motifs into self-assembling peptides to mimic functional proteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and guide cell fate inside hydrogel scaffolds.
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