Short Peptides Derived from a Block Copolymer-like Barnacle Cement Protein Self-Assembled into Diverse Supramolecular Structures

Biomacromolecules. 2022 May 9;23(5):2019-2030. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00031. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Abstract

Peptides capable of self-assembling into different supramolecular structures have potential applications in a variety of areas. The biomimetic molecular design offers an important avenue to discover novel self-assembling peptides. Despite this, a lot of biomimetic self-assembling peptides have been reported so far; to continually expand the scope of peptide self-assembly, it is necessary to find out more novel self-assembling peptides. Barnacle cp19k, a key underwater adhesive protein, shows special block copolymer-like characteristics and diversified self-assembly properties, providing an ideal template for biomimetic peptide design. In this study, inspired by Balanus albicostatus cp19k (Balcp19k), we rationally designed nine biomimetic peptides (P1-P9) and systematically studied their self-assembly behaviors for the first time. Combining microscale morphology observations and secondary structure analyses, we found that multiple biomimetic peptides derived from the central region and the C-terminus of Balcp19k form distinct supramolecular structures via different self-assembly mechanisms under acidic conditions. Specifically, P9 self-assembles into typical amyloid fibers. P7, which resembles ionic self-complementary peptides by containing nonstrictly alternating hydrophobic and charged amino acids, self-assembles into uniform, discrete nanofibers. P6 with amphipathic features forms twisted nanoribbons. Most interestingly, P4 self-assembles to form helical nanofibers and novel ring-shaped microstructures, showing unique self-assembly behaviors. Apart from their self-assembly properties, these peptides showed good cytocompatibility and demonstrated promising applications in biomedical areas. Our results expanded the repertoire of self-assembling peptides and provided new insights into the structure-function relationship of barnacle cp19k.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adhesives / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Nanofibers* / chemistry
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Polymers
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Thoracica* / chemistry

Substances

  • Adhesives
  • Peptides
  • Polymers