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Cell-Penetrating Cross-β Peptide Assemblies with Controlled Biodegradable Properties.
Sanghun Han1, Mun-Kyung Lee1, Yong-Beom Lim1
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University , Seoul 03722, Korea.
Biomacromolecules
|December 22, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed biodegradable self-assembling peptide nanostructures (SPNs) with controllable degradation rates. These novel structures show efficient cell penetration and intracellular disassembly, offering a promising biomaterial toolkit.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- Self-assembled peptide nanostructures (SPNs) are promising biomaterials.
- A key limitation of conventional SPNs is the slow hydrolysis rate of amide bonds, hindering their degradation.
- Developing SPNs with tunable biodegradation is crucial for biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer cell-penetrating cross-β SPNs with controllable biodegradation rates.
- To design self-assembling depsipeptides (SADPs) that incorporate hydrolyzable ester bonds.
- To create versatile nanostructures for biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Designed self-assembling β-sheet peptides incorporating ester bonds (SADPs) to form 1D fibers.
- Controlled hydrolysis rates by adjusting pH, temperature, and ester unit structure.
- Conjugated cell-penetrating peptide segments to SADP segments to form 3D vesicle-like structures.
- Assessed cell internalization and intracellular degradation of the nanostructures.
Main Results:
- SADPs self-assembled into bilayer β-sandwich 1D fibers, similar to conventional SPNs.
- Hydrolysis rates were successfully modulated by environmental factors and ester structure.
- Attachment of cell-penetrating peptides induced transformation into 3D vesicle-like nanostructures.
- Demonstrated efficient cellular uptake and subsequent intracellular degradation of the 3D nanostructures.
Conclusions:
- Developed biodegradable cross-β SPNs with tunable hydrolysis rates.
- Engineered cell-penetrating 3D nanostructures from SADPs with controlled degradation.
- Provided a valuable toolkit for designing advanced self-assembling peptide biomaterials.
