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Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
Published on: February 7, 2017
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Unlocking a Biological Interface of Chiral Supramolecular Helical Polymers
Ana Alcalde-Ordóñez1, Axel Sarmiento1, Jacobo Gómez-González2
1Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Rúa Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|June 10, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a metal-binding tripeptide (BTMA-1) that forms self-assembled structures. These structures can be triggered to recognize specific DNA structures, offering potential for new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Biomaterials Science
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- Chiral supramolecular polymers are advanced materials with potential applications.
- Noncanonical DNA structures like three-way junctions (3WJs) have emerging biological significance.
- Responsive systems for targeted biomolecular recognition are highly sought after.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design a metal-binding tripeptide capable of self-assembly into responsive supramolecular structures.
- To investigate the formation of chiral supramolecular polymers and discrete peptide helicates.
- To explore the selective recognition of DNA three-way junctions (3WJs) by these peptide assemblies.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of the C3-symmetric metal-binding tripeptide (BTMA-1).
- Investigation of self-assembly behavior in water under varying metal coordination conditions (e.g., CoII).
- Assessment of the affinity and selectivity of the CoII peptide helicate for DNA 3WJs using biophysical techniques.
- Demonstration of dynamic triggering of recognition by metal ion addition to supramolecular polymer dispersions.
Main Results:
- BTMA-1 self-assembles into either chiral supramolecular helical polymers or discrete CoII peptide helicates based on metal coordination.
- The CoII peptide helicate displays high affinity and selectivity for DNA 3WJs.
- The biomolecular recognition process can be dynamically triggered by introducing CoII ions to the supramolecular polymer.
- Supramolecular polymers act as inert reservoirs, releasing active helicates upon metal ion coordination.
Conclusions:
- Chiral supramolecular helical polymers can serve as temporarily inactive precursors for active biomolecular recognition agents.
- This mechanism enables the design of responsive supramolecular systems for targeted nucleic acid binding.
- The findings offer a novel approach for developing systems for nucleic acid recognition and potential anticancer therapies.
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