title: Multilayer biomimetics: reversible covalent stabilization of a nanostructured biofilm.
abstract: Designed polypeptides and electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly form the basis of promising research in bionanotechnology and medicine on development of polyelectrolyte multilayer films (PEMs). We show that PEMs can be formed from oppositely charged 32mers containing several cysteine residues. The polypeptides in PEMs become cross-linked under mild oxidizing conditions. This mimicking of disulfide (S-S) bond stabilization of folded protein structure confers on the PEMs a marked increase in resistance to film disassembly at acidic pH. The reversibility of S-S bond stabilization of PEMs presents further advantages for controlling physical properties of films, coatings, and other applications involving PEMs.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Institute for Micromanufacturing, Louisiana Tech University, PO Box 10137, Ruston 71272, USA.
authors.forename: Bingyun
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Donald T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Haynie
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D032701:Biomimetics / Q000379:methods*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides