Aβ17-20 Peptide-Guided Structuring of Polymeric Conjugates and Their pH-Triggered Dynamic Response

The tetrapeptide segment LVFF from the central hydrophobic core of amyloid β-peptide, Aβ17-20 , based methacrylate monomer was polymerized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization to afford well-defined side-chain peptide polymers. The polymer was transformed to carry primary amino groups in the peptide terminals, depicting pH-responsiveness and was further modified to provide amphiphilic graft copolymer-based nanocarriers with pH-triggered dynamic dye release capability. The polymers acquired α-helical conformation guided by Aβ17-20 peptide. Computational studies were performed to investigate the secondary interactions of the peptide-based materials.