Molecular Design: Network Architecture and Its Impact on the Organization and Mechanics of Peptide-Polyurea Hybrids

Biomacromolecules. 2016 Dec 12;17(12):3931-3939. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.6b01309. Epub 2016 Dec 1.

Abstract

Nature has achieved controlled and tunable mechanics via hierarchical organization driven by physical and covalent interactions. Polymer-peptide hybrids have been designed to mimic natural materials utilizing these architectural strategies, obtaining diverse mechanical properties, stimuli responsiveness, and bioactivity. Here, utilizing a molecular design pathway, peptide-polyurea hybrid networks were synthesized to investigate the role of architecture and structural interplay on peptide hydrogen bonding, assembly, and mechanics. Networks formed from poly(β-benzyl-l-aspartate)-poly(dimethylsiloxane) copolymers covalently cross-linked with a triisocyanate yielded polyurea films with a globular-like morphology and parallel β-sheet secondary structures. The geometrical constraints imposed by the network led to an increase in peptide loading and ∼7x increase in Young's modulus while maintaining extensibility (∼160%). Thus, the interplay of physical and chemical bonds allowed for the modulation of resulting mechanical properties. This investigation provides a framework for the utilization of structural interplay and mechanical tuning in polymer-peptide hybrids, which offers a pathway for the design of future hybrid biomaterial systems.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Elastic Modulus
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Polymers
  • polyurea