Self-Assembly of a Designed Alternating Arginine/Phenylalanine Oligopeptide

Langmuir. 2015 Apr 21;31(15):4513-23. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b00253. Epub 2015 Apr 7.

Abstract

A model octapeptide peptide consisting of an alternating sequence of arginine (Arg) and phenylalanine (Phe) residues, namely, [Arg-Phe]4, was prepared, and its self-assembly in solution studied. The simple alternating [Arg-Phe]4 peptide sequence allows for unique insights into the aggregation process and the structure of the self-assembled motifs. Fluorescence and UV-vis assays were used to determine critical aggregation concentrations, corresponding to the formation of oligomeric species and β-sheet rich structures organized into both spheroidal aggregates and highly ordered fibrils. Electron and atomic force microscopy images show globular aggregates and long unbranched fibers with diameters ranging from ∼4 nm up to ∼40 nm. Infrared and circular dichroism spectroscopy show the formation of β-sheet structures. X-ray diffraction on oriented stalks show that the peptide fibers have an internal lamellar structure, with an orthorhombic unit cell with parameters a ∼ 27.6 Å, b ∼ 9.7 Å, and c ∼ 9.6 Å. In situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) shows the presence of low molecular weight oligomers in equilibrium with mature fibers which are likely made up from 5 or 6 intertwined protofilaments. Finally, weak gel solutions are probed under gentle shear, suggesting the ability of these arginine-rich fibers to form networks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arginine / chemistry*
  • Gels
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry*
  • Phenylalanine / chemistry*
  • Protein Aggregates
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Solutions

Substances

  • Gels
  • Oligopeptides
  • Protein Aggregates
  • Solutions
  • Phenylalanine
  • Arginine