title: Nanostructures by self-assembling peptide amphiphile as potential selective drug carriers.
abstract: The self-assembling behavior, at physiological pH, of the amphiphile peptide (C18)(2)L5CCK8 in nanostructures is reported. Stable aggregates presenting a critical micellar concentration of 2 x 10(-6) mol kg(-1), and characterized by water exposed CCK8 peptide in beta-sheet conformation, are obtained. Small angle neutron scattering experiments are indicative for a 3D structure with dimensions > or =100 nm. AFM images confirm the presence of nanostructures. Fluorescence experiments indicating the sequestration of pyrene, chosen as drug model, and the anticancer Doxorubicin within the nanostructures are reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, CIRPeB University of Naples Federico II, & IBB CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Accardo
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tesauro
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mangiapia
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pedone
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morelli
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D033363:Neutron Diffraction; D053838:Scattering, Small Angle; D012844:Sincalide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D004317:Doxorubicin; D012844:Sincalide