Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026
08:40
Preparation and Characterization of C60/Graphene Hybrid Nanostructures
Published on: May 15, 2018
10.0K
Structural Characterization of Self-Assembled Tetra-Tryptophan Based Nanostructures: Variations on a Common Theme
Carlo Diaferia1, Nicole Balasco2, Teresa Sibillano3
1Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134-, Naples, Italy.
Summary
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugates of aromatic amino acids, like tryptophan, self-assemble into fibrillary biomaterials. These peptide-based materials form networks with a cross-beta structure, showcasing aromatic residue self-aggregation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Peptide Self-Assembly
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Multidisciplinary research shows peptides and amino acids can form biomaterials via self-assembly.
- Previous work demonstrated polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugates of phenylalanine and naphthylalanine form fibrillary aggregates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the self-assembling properties of PEG6-W4, a PEG adduct of a tetra-tryptophan sequence.
- To structurally characterize PEG6-W4 in solution and solid states.
Main Methods:
- Spectroscopic techniques
- Microscopic imaging
- X-ray scattering
- Computational modeling
Main Results:
- PEG6-W4 self-assembles into fibrillary networks.
- These networks possess a characteristic cross-beta structure.
- Aromatic residues generally promote self-aggregation despite varied properties.
Conclusions:
- Tryptophan-containing PEGylated peptides self-assemble into ordered fibrillary structures.
- The cross-beta structure is a common motif in aromatic amino acid-based peptide biomaterials.
- Aromatic residues are key drivers for peptide self-aggregation into biomaterials.
Related Concept Videos
01:32Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures
2.5K
Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
2.5K
01:14What is Variation?
18.7K
Apart from the measures of central tendency, distribution, outliers, and the changing characteristics of data with time, an important characteristic of any data set is its variation or spread. In some data sets, the data values are concentrated closely near the mean; in others, the data values are more widely spread out from the mean.
The range, standard deviation, standard error, and variance are the different measures of variation.
Range: The range is the difference between its maximum and...
The range, standard deviation, standard error, and variance are the different measures of variation.
Range: The range is the difference between its maximum and...
18.7K
03:24Common Ion Effect
47.1K
Compared with pure water, the solubility of an ionic compound is less in aqueous solutions containing a common ion (one also produced by dissolution of the ionic compound). This is an example of a phenomenon known as the common ion effect, which is a consequence of the law of mass action that may be explained using Le Châtelier’s principle. Consider the dissolution of silver iodide:
47.1K
02:53Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation
6.9K
Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
6.9K
01:19Variation
8.1K
An important characteristic of any set of data is the variation in the data. In some data sets, the data values are concentrated closely near the mean; in other data sets, the data values are more widely spread out from the mean. The most common measure of variation, or spread, is the standard deviation, which is the square root of variance.
When independent and dependent variables are plotted on a scatter plot, the slope of a line is a value that describes the rate of change between the two...
When independent and dependent variables are plotted on a scatter plot, the slope of a line is a value that describes the rate of change between the two...
8.1K
01:18Variation of Atmospheric Pressure
4.2K
Change in atmospheric pressure with height is particularly interesting. The decrease in atmospheric pressure with increasing altitude is due to the decreasing gravitational force per unit area as we move away from the surface of the earth.
Assuming the air temperature is constant at a given altitude and that the ideal gas law of thermodynamics describes the atmosphere to a good approximation, one can find the variation of atmospheric pressure with height.
Let p(y) be the atmospheric pressure at...
Assuming the air temperature is constant at a given altitude and that the ideal gas law of thermodynamics describes the atmosphere to a good approximation, one can find the variation of atmospheric pressure with height.
Let p(y) be the atmospheric pressure at...
4.2K