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Anthranilamide-based Short Peptides Self-Assembled Hydrogels as Antibacterial Agents
Vina R Aldilla1, Renxun Chen1, Adam D Martin2
1School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney NSW, Sydney, 2052, Australia.
Scientific Reports
|January 23, 2020
Summary
Researchers synthesized anthranilamide-based short peptides that form hydrogels at low concentrations. These peptide hydrogels exhibit antibacterial properties and tunable molecular characteristics, offering potential for new biomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Organic Synthesis
Background:
- Anthranilamide-based molecules are versatile building blocks.
- Short peptides can self-assemble into functional supramolecular structures.
- Hydrogels formed by low molecular weight gelators (LMWG) are of significant interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize anthranilamide-based short peptides.
- To investigate their self-assembly into hydrogels.
- To evaluate the properties and potential applications of these hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of anthranilamide-based short peptides via ring opening of isatoic anhydride.
- Characterization of peptide molecular properties and hydrogel formation.
- Assessment of hydrogel critical gel concentration (CGC), viscoelasticity, secondary structure, and fiber morphology.
- Evaluation of antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity.
Main Results:
- Peptides were synthesized in excellent yields.
- Low molecular weight hydrogels were formed at low concentrations (0.07-0.30% (w/v)).
- Hydrogel properties were tunable based on peptide substituents (aromaticity, fluoro, methyl groups).
- Antibacterial activity against S. aureus and moderate cytotoxicity against HEK cells were observed.
Conclusions:
- Anthranilamide-based short peptides are effective low molecular weight gelators.
- The self-assembly and properties of the resulting hydrogels can be modulated by chemical modifications.
- These peptide hydrogels show promise for applications requiring antibacterial properties.
