Labeling of Nanofiber-Forming Peptides by Site-Directed Bioconjugation: Effect of Spacer Length on Self-Assembly
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Updated: Dec 30, 2025
Formation of Ordered Biomolecular Structures by the Self-assembly of Short Peptides
Published on: November 21, 2013
Alessandra Scelsi1, Brigida Bochicchio1, Antonietta Pepe1
1Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy.
Background:
The conjugation of small organic molecules to self-assembling peptides is a versatile tool to decorate nanostructures with original functionalities. Labeling with chromophores or fluorophores, for example, creates optically active fibers with potential interest in photonic devices.
Aim And Objective:
In this work, we present a rapid and effective labeling procedure for a self-assembling peptide able to form nanofibers. Rapid periodate oxidation of the N-terminal serine residue of the peptide and subsequent conjugation with dansyl moiety generated fluorophore-decorated peptides.
Results:
Three dansyl-conjugated self-assembling peptides with variable spacer-length were synthesized and characterized and the role of the size of the linker between fluorophore and peptide in self-assembling was investigated. Our results show that a short linker can alter the self-assembly in nanofibers of the peptide.
Conclusions:
Herein we report on an alternative strategy for creating functionalized nanofibrils, able to expand the toolkit of chemoselective bioconjugation strategies to be used in site-specific decoration of self-assembling peptides.
