Abstract
We demonstrate supramolecular peptide nanofibers that display dynamic instability, i.e. they are formed by competing assembly and dis-assembly reactions, where assembly is favoured away from equilibrium. The systems are based on competitive catalytic transacylation and hydrolysis, producing a self-assembling aromatic peptide derivative from
amino acid precursors, that temporarily exceeds the critical gelation concentration, until the
competing hydrolytic reaction takes over. Analysis by atomic force microscopy shows
consecutive nanofiber formation and shortening. The process results in macroscopically
observable temporary hydrogelation, which may be repeated upon refuelling the system
with further addition of the chemically activated amino acid pre-cursor. Non-equilibrium
nanostructures open up opportunities for mimicry of the behaviour dynamic gels found in
natural systems and provide components for future adaptive nanotechnologies.
amino acid precursors, that temporarily exceeds the critical gelation concentration, until the
competing hydrolytic reaction takes over. Analysis by atomic force microscopy shows
consecutive nanofiber formation and shortening. The process results in macroscopically
observable temporary hydrogelation, which may be repeated upon refuelling the system
with further addition of the chemically activated amino acid pre-cursor. Non-equilibrium
nanostructures open up opportunities for mimicry of the behaviour dynamic gels found in
natural systems and provide components for future adaptive nanotechnologies.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 16789-16792 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of the American Chemical Society |
Volume | 135 |
Issue number | 45 |
Early online date | 22 Oct 2013 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 13 Nov 2013 |
Keywords
- peptide nanofibres
- biocatalytic self-assembly
- non-equilibrium