title: Semiflexible chain networks formed via self-assembly of beta-hairpin molecules.
abstract: We report experimental results from a de novo designed oligopeptide that intermolecularly self-assembles into rigid hydrogel networks after an intramolecular folding event. Microscopy and neutron scattering reveal a fibril local structure that is approximately 3 nm in diameter and over several hundred nanometers in length. Oscillatory rheology suggests that the peptidic network viscoelastic behavior follows that theoretically predicted for heavily cross-linked, semiflexible polymer networks.
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Department, Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA.
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ozbas
authors.forename: Karthikan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rajagopal
authors.forename: Joel P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Darrin J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pochan
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D003461:Crystallography / Q000379:methods*; D004548:Elasticity; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011485:Protein Binding; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D009842:Oligopeptides