Decoupling Charge and Side Chain Effects in Hierarchical Organization of Cationic PFX Peptide and Alginate

Biomacromolecules. 2024 Jul 8;25(7):4168-4176. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00278. Epub 2024 Jun 20.

Abstract

We have successfully created self-assembled membranes by combining positively charged (Pro-X-(Phe-X)5-Pro) PFX peptides with negatively charged alginate. These PFX/alginate membranes were formed by three different peptides that contain either X = Arginine (R), Histidine (H), or Ornithine (O) as their charged amino acid. The assemblies were compared to membranes that were previously reported by us composed of X = lysine (K). This study enabled us to elucidate the impact of amino acids' specific interactions on membrane formation. SEM, SAXS, and cryo-TEM measurements show that although K, R, H, and O may have a similar net charge, the specific traits of the charged amino acid is an essential factor in determining the hierarchical structure of alginate/PFX self-assembled membranes.

MeSH terms

  • Alginates* / chemistry
  • Arginine / chemistry
  • Cations / chemistry
  • Glucuronic Acid / chemistry
  • Hexuronic Acids / chemistry
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Peptides / chemistry

Substances

  • Alginates
  • Glucuronic Acid
  • Hexuronic Acids
  • Peptides
  • Cations
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Arginine