Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
08:00
DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers
Published on: October 25, 2017
Elastin-like peptide amphiphiles form nanofibers with tunable length
Suhaas Aluri1, Martha K Pastuszka, Ara S Moses
1Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90033-9121, USA.
Biomacromolecules
|August 2, 2012
Summary
New elastin-like peptide amphiphiles (ELPAs) self-assemble into tunable nanofibers. These biocompatible materials show promise for stimuli-responsive drug and cell delivery systems, inspired by human tropoelastin.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) form nanostructures for biomedical applications.
- Some PAs exhibit environmentally responsive properties.
- Human tropoelastin's inverse phase transition behavior is a key characteristic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel elastin-like peptide amphiphiles (ELPAs) inspired by human tropoelastin.
- To investigate the self-assembly, environmental responsiveness, and drug delivery capabilities of ELPAs.
- To control ELPA fiber length and cellular uptake.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of elastin-like peptide amphiphiles (ELPAs).
- Characterization of self-assembled nanostructures (micelles, fibers).
- Assessment of inverse phase transition behavior and secondary structure (beta turns).
- Evaluation of paclitaxel solubility and cellular uptake.
Main Results:
- ELPAs self-assemble into fiber-like nanostructures with tunable length.
- ELPAs exhibit inverse phase transition behavior above a lower critical solution temperature (LCST).
- A type-1 beta turn secondary structure is associated with peptide assembly and phase separation.
- ELPAs enhance the solubility of hydrophobic paclitaxel (PAX).
Conclusions:
- Elastin-inspired biopolymers, specifically ELPAs, offer a promising platform for drug and cell delivery.
- ELPAs demonstrate tunable properties and stimuli-responsive behavior for advanced biomaterial applications.
- ELPAs represent a novel approach for engineering stimuli-responsive gels and drug carriers.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Elastin is Responsible for Tissue Elasticity
Elastic fiber contains the protein elastin along with lesser amounts of other proteins and glycoproteins. The main property of elastin is that it will return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed. Elastic fibers are prominent in elastic tissues found in skin and the elastic ligaments of the vertebral column.
Ligaments and tendons are made of dense regular connective tissue, but in ligaments not all fibers are parallel. Dense regular elastic tissue contains elastin fibers and...
Ligaments and tendons are made of dense regular connective tissue, but in ligaments not all fibers are parallel. Dense regular elastic tissue contains elastin fibers and...
00:57Formation of Intermediate Filaments
Intermediate filaments are cytoskeletal proteins with higher tensile strength and flexibility than microfilaments and microtubules. Unlike the other two cytoskeletal proteins, intermediate filament formation lacks the enzymatic activity to hydrolyze nucleotides like ATP and GTP to generate energy for polymerization. Therefore, the formation of intermediate filaments is multistep self-assembly. The involvement of any accessory proteins in intermediate filament formation has not yet been reported.
01:19The Structure of Intermediate Filaments
The intermediate filaments are one of three widely studied cytoskeletal filaments. They are so named as their diameter (10 nm) is in between that of microfilaments (7 nm) and the microtubules (25 nm). These filaments are highly stable and can remain intact when exposed to high salt concentrations and detergents. These filaments are responsible for providing stability and mechanical support to the cells. They also help in cell adhesion and maintaining tissue integrity.
Intermediate filaments...
Intermediate filaments...