Directional assembly of α-helical peptides induced by cyclization

J Am Chem Soc. 2012 Dec 19;134(50):20270-2. doi: 10.1021/ja3098756. Epub 2012 Nov 28.

Abstract

Effective stabilization of short peptide chains into a helical structure has been a challenge in the fields of chemistry and biology. Here we report a novel method for α-helix stabilization of short peptides through their confinement in a cyclic architecture. We synthesized block peptides based on a short peptide and a flexible linker as linear precursors. Subsequent cyclization of the peptide precursors resulted in a conformational change of the peptide unit from a random coil to an α-helix. The incorporation of hydrophobic residues into the peptide unit led to a facially amphiphilic conformation of the molecular cycle. The resulting amphiphilic peptide self-assembled into undulated nanofibers through the directional assembly of small oblate micelles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Cyclization
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Models, Molecular
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Protein Conformation

Substances

  • Peptides