title: Charged polypeptide vesicles with controllable diameter.
abstract: We report the preparation and characterization of charged, amphiphilic block copolypeptides that form stable vesicles and micelles in aqueous solution. Specifically, we prepared and studied the aqueous self-assembly of a series of poly(L-lysine)-b-poly(L-leucine) block copolypeptides, KxLy, where x ranged from 20 to 80 and y ranged from 10 to 30 residues, as well as the poly(L-glutamatic acid)-b-poly(L-leucine) block copolypeptide, E60L20. Furthermore, the vesicular assemblies show dynamic properties, indicating a high degree of membrane fluidity. This characteristic provides stimuli-responsive properties to the vesicles and allows fine adjustment of vesicle size using liposome-based extrusion techniques. Vesicle extrusion also provides a straightforward means to trap solutes, making the vesicles promising biomimetic encapsulants.
authors.affiliation: Contribution from the Materials Department, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
authors.forename: Eric P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Holowka
authors.forename: Darrin J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pochan
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Deming
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008823:Micelles; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D011107:Polylysine / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008823:Micelles; D009842:Oligopeptides; D010455:Peptides; D011107:Polylysine; C027819:polyleucine; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid