Enzyme-Responsive Polymer Nanoparticles via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly

Macromol Rapid Commun. 2019 Jan;40(2):e1800467. doi: 10.1002/marc.201800467. Epub 2018 Sep 3.

Abstract

Open-to-air aqueous-phase ring-opening metathesis polymerization-induced self-assembly (ROMPISA) is reported for forming well-defined peptide polymer nanoparticles at room temperature and with high solids concentrations (10 w/w%). For these materials, ROMPISA is shown to provide control over molecular weight with high conversion while open-to-air. Moreover, these peptide polymer nanoparticles can spontaneously rearrange into larger aggregate scaffolds in the presence of the proteolytic enzyme, thermolysin. This work demonstrates the robust nature of ROMPISA, highlighted here for the preparation of stimuli-responsive nanostructures in one pot, in air.

Keywords: ROMPISA; block copolymers; peptides; self-assembly.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic / methods*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Molecular Weight
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Polymerization*
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polymers / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Thermolysin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Polymers
  • Thermolysin