Poly(l-proline)-Stabilized Polypeptide Nanostructures via Ring-Opening Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (ROPISA)

ACS Macro Lett. 2024 Aug 20;13(8):1031-1036. doi: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.4c00400. Epub 2024 Jul 29.

Abstract

Poly(proline) II helical motifs located at the protein-water interface stabilize the three-dimensional structures of natural proteins. Reported here is the first example of synthetic biomimetic poly(proline)-stabilized polypeptide nanostructures obtained by a straightforward ring-opening polymerization-induced self-assembly (ROPISA) process through consecutive N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) polymerization. It was found that the use of multifunctional 8-arm initiators is critical for the formation of nanoparticles. Worm-like micelles as well as spherical morphologies were obtained as confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The loading of the nanostructures with dyes is demonstrated. This fast and open-vessel procedure gives access to amino acids-based nanomaterials with potential for applications in nanomedicine.

MeSH terms

  • Micelles
  • Nanostructures* / chemistry
  • Peptides* / chemistry
  • Polymerization*

Substances

  • Peptides
  • polyproline
  • Micelles