Effect of Peptide Sequences on Supramolecular Interactions of Naphthaleneimide/Tripeptide Conjugates

Langmuir. 2016 Aug 2;32(30):7630-8. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b01809. Epub 2016 Jul 22.

Abstract

In this study, we reported a significant difference in the supramolecular hydrogelation of newly discovered NI-GFF (NI-Gly-l-Phe-l-Phe) and NI-FFG (NI-l-Phe-l-Phe-Gly) on the basis of their phase diagrams. With a small difference in the peptide chain between NI-GFF and NI-FFG, we observed a significant difference in their self-assembly properties; NI-GFF formed a stable gel at neutral pH, whereas NI-FFG did not, under the same conditions. From spectroscopic and computational studies, intermolecular π-π interactions and extended hydrogen bonding interactions might reinforce the intermolecular interactions of NI-GFF, which may facilitate the formation of the self-assembled nanostructures and the hydrogel. In addition, the aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active NI-GFF reveals relatively good biocompatibility compared with that of NI-FFG for two commonly used cell lines, suggesting that it is a promising candidate for use as a supramolecular material in biomedical applications. Our results highlight the importance of tripeptide sequences in a self-assembling hydrogel system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / cytology
  • Astrocytes / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Hydrogels / pharmacology
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Imides / chemistry*
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Naphthalenes / chemistry*
  • Naphthalenes / pharmacology
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry*
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Rats

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Imides
  • Naphthalenes
  • Oligopeptides
  • phenylalanyl-phenylalanyl-glycine