Self-assembly of PEGylated peptide conjugates containing a modified amyloid beta-peptide fragment

The self-assembly of PEGylated peptides containing a modified sequence from the amyloid beta peptide, FFKLVFF, has been studied in aqueous solution. PEG molar masses PEG1k, PEG2k, and PEG10k were used in the conjugates. It is shown that the three FFKLVFF-PEG hybrids form fibrils comprising a FFKLVFF core and a PEG corona. The beta-sheet secondary structure of the peptide is retained in the FFKLVFF fibril core. At sufficiently high concentrations, FFKLVFF-PEG1k and FFKLVFF-PEG2k form a nematic phase, while PEG10k-FFKLVFF exhibits a hexagonal columnar phase. Simultaneous small angle neutron scattering/shear flow experiments were performed to study the shear flow alignment of the nematic and hexagonal liquid crystal phases. On drying, PEG crystallization occurs without disruption of the FFKLVFF beta-sheet structure leading to characteristic peaks in the X-ray diffraction pattern and FTIR spectra. The stability of beta-sheet structures was also studied in blends of FFKLVFF-PEG conjugates with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). While PEG crystallization is only observed up to 25% PAA content in the blends, the FFKLVFF beta-sheet structure is retained up to 75% PAA.