Tuning assembly size in Peptide-based supramolecular polymers by modulation of subunit association affinity

Biomacromolecules. 2014 Apr 14;15(4):1436-42. doi: 10.1021/bm5000423. Epub 2014 Mar 17.

Abstract

Nature uses proteins and nucleic acids to form a wide array of functional architectures, and scientists have found inspiration from these structures in the rational design of synthetic biomaterials. We have recently shown that a modular subunit consisting of two α-helical coiled coil peptides attached at their midpoints by an organic linking group can spontaneously self-assemble in aqueous solution to form a soluble supramolecular polymer. Here we explore the use of coiled-coil association affinity, readily tuned by amino acid sequence, as a means to predictably alter properties of these supramolecular assemblies. A series of dimeric coiled-coil peptide sequences with identical quaternary folded structures but systematically altered folded stability were designed and biophysically characterized. The sequences were cross-linked to generate a series of branched, self-assembling biomacromolecular subunits. A clear relationship is observed between coiled-coil association affinity and apparent hydrodynamic diameter of the supramolecular polymers formed by these subunits. Our results provide a family of soluble supramolecular polymers of tunable size and well-characterized coiled-coil sequences that add to the library of building blocks available for use in the rational design of protein-based supramolecular biomaterials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Protein Folding
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / chemistry
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • GCN4 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Peptides
  • Polymers
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins

Associated data

  • PDB/4NIZ
  • PDB/4NJ0
  • PDB/4NJ1
  • PDB/4NJ2