Order from Disorder with Intrinsically Disordered Peptide Amphiphiles

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Amphiphilic molecules and self-assembled structures are crucial in materials design, biomedicine, and cosmetics.
• Conventional phospholipids and block copolymers face limitations in meeting demands for functional complexity.
• Peptide amphiphiles offer an emerging class of molecules with combined advantages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce novel intrinsically disordered peptide amphiphiles (IDPA).
• To investigate the pH-induced micellar phase transition of these IDPAs.
• To explore the potential of IDPA shape transitions for cargo hold-and-release applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of peptide amphiphiles with intrinsically disordered peptide and dendritic hydrophobic domains.
• Experimental characterization of the pH-induced micellar phase transition.
• Development of a theoretical model to describe the pH-response.

Main Results:

• IDPAs exhibit a sharp pH-induced transition from spherical micelles to elongated worm-like micelles.
• The transition is characterized by low-dispersity spheres at one pH and extremely elongated worms at another.
• A theoretical model was proposed to explain the observed pH-responsive behavior.

Conclusions:

• Intrinsically disordered peptide amphiphiles demonstrate tunable, stimuli-responsive behavior.
• The pH-induced shape transition can be harnessed for cargo hold-and-release applications.
• Tailoring interactions in disordered peptides opens avenues for advanced biomedical applications.