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Synthesis of Information-bearing Peptoids and their Sequence-directed Dynamic Covalent Self-assembly
Published on: February 6, 2020
Engineering responsive mechanisms to control the assembly of peptide-based nanostructures
Steven Dublin1, Yuri Zimenkov, Vincent P Conticello
1Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Biochemical Society Transactions
|July 21, 2009
Summary
Researchers designed synthetic alpha-helical coiled-coils for self-assembling nanoscale materials. Guest-host recognition mechanisms control the assembly and disassembly of these peptide-based fibrils, enabling precise control over artificial systems.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular chemistry and materials science.
- Biomimetic design of artificial nanoscale systems.
Background:
- Complex biological machines self-assemble via sequence-specific macromolecules like polypeptides and polynucleotides.
- Biological structural motifs offer advantages for creating functional supramolecular assemblies compared to synthetic polymers.
- Understanding sequence-structure relationships in native assemblies guides the design of artificial nanoscale systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe an approach for creating structurally defined supramolecular assemblies from synthetic alpha-helical coiled-coil motifs.
- To address challenges in recoding native sequences and controlling self-assembly for peptide-based materials.
- To develop guest-host recognition mechanisms for controlling fibril assembly and disassembly.
Main Methods:
- Recoding canonical sequences of native coiled-coil motifs to create synthetic helical fibrils.
- Developing methods to control supramolecular self-assembly under defined, processable conditions.
- Utilizing guest-host recognition to couple conformational transitions in coiled-coil motifs to environmental changes.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the creation of structurally defined supramolecular assemblies using synthetic alpha-helical coiled-coils.
- Developed mechanisms based on guest-host recognition for controlled fibril assembly and disassembly.
- Validated design principles using a selective metal-ion-induced conformational switch.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic alpha-helical coiled-coils can be engineered to form structurally defined supramolecular assemblies.
- Guest-host recognition provides a viable strategy for controlling the self-assembly and disassembly of peptide-based materials.
- This approach enables the creation of artificial nanoscale systems with programmable structural and functional properties.
