Stabilization of peptide fibrils by hydrophobic interaction

Langmuir. 2007 Feb 13;23(4):2058-63. doi: 10.1021/la0625345.

Abstract

Hydrophobic interactions play an important role in assembly processes in aqueous environments. In case of peptide amphiphiles, hydrophobicity is combined with hydrogen bonding to yield well-defined peptide-based aggregates. Here, we report a systematic study after the role of hydrophobic interactions on both stabilization and morphology of a peptide fibrillar assembly. For this purpose, alkyl tails were connected to a known beta-sheet forming peptide with the sequence KTVIIE. The introduction of n-alkyl groups induced thermal stability to the assemblies without affecting the morphology of the peptide aggregates.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Peptides