Self-assembly of tripeptides into γ-turn nanostructures

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2019 Jun 7;21(21):10879-10883. doi: 10.1039/c9cp00233b. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Abstract

Self-assembling phenylalanine-based peptides have garnered interest owing to their potential for creating new functional materials. Here, we designed four diastereomers, l-Phe-l-Phe-l-Phe (FFF), d-Phe-l-Phe-l-Phe (fFF), l-Phe-d-Phe-l-Phe (FfF) and l-Phe-l-Phe-d-Phe (FFf), to analyze the effect of the d-isomer on the self-assembly. Using SEM, TG, VCD, and solid-state NMR measurements, we found that only FFf forms a γ-turn conformation and self-assembles into a nanoplate with higher thermal stability. The supramolecular structure of FFf consists of intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π-π stackings. From our results, we have discovered that FFf forms a new type of self-assembling γ-turn conformation, clarifying the structural role of a d-amino acid residue in supramolecular formation.

MeSH terms

  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Oligopeptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry
  • Particle Size
  • Phenylalanine / chemistry
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Oligopeptides
  • Phenylalanine