Heterochirality Restricts the Self-Assembly of Phenylalanine Dipeptides Capped with Highly Aromatic Groups

J Phys Chem B. 2020 Jul 16;124(28):5913-5918. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c04513. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Abstract

The influence of stereochemistry on the self-assembly of phenylalanine (Phe) dipeptides bearing aromatic fluorenyl groups at both the N- and C-termini (Fmoc, OFm) has been investigated. For this purpose, Fmoc-d-Phe-l-Phe-OFm and Fmoc-l-Phe-l-Phe-OFm have been examined considering a wide variety of solvents, which differ in dielectric constant and volatility. Results reveal that replacement of l-Phe by d-Phe has a major impact on the self-assembly propensities, restricting drastically the structural diversity and polymorphism shown by the homochiral dipeptide. Thus, the analogous heterochiral dipeptide shows a great propensity to form micro/nanofibers, independently of the environmental conditions. Theoretical calculations revealed that the stability of antiparallel disposition is much higher (a factor of ca. 15) for Fmoc-d-Phe-l-Phe-OFm than that for Fmoc-l-Phe-l-Phe-OFm, which has been attributed to the hydrophobic core formed in the former. Overall, results suggest that control of the backbone chirality is a potent and versatile strategy to drive and finely tune the self-assembly propensities of highly aromatic peptides.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dipeptides*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Peptides
  • Phenylalanine*
  • Solvents

Substances

  • Dipeptides
  • Peptides
  • Solvents
  • Phenylalanine