Vesicles from peptidic side-chain polymers synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization.
Block copolymers can adopt a wide range of morphologies in dilute aqueous solution. There is a significant amount of interest in the use of block copolymer vesicles for a number of applications. We show that a series of oligo(valine) and oligo(phenylalanine) peptides coupled to a methacrylic group can be prepared by conventional peptide coupling techniques. These can be successfully polymerized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) giving access to poly(ethylene oxide)- b-poly(side-chain peptides). Many of these polymers self-assemble to form vesicles using an organic to aqueous solvent exchange. One example with a divaline hydrophobic block gives a mixture of toroids and vesicles. Circular dichroism demonstrates that secondary structuring is observed in the hydrophobic region of the vesicle walls for the valine side-chain containing polymers.
Adams
Dave J
DJ
Unilever Corporate Research, Sharnbrook, Bedford, MK44 1LQ, United Kingdom. d.j.adams@liverpool.ac.uk
Atkins
Derek
D
Cooper
Andrew I
AI
Furzeland
Steve
S
Trewin
Abbie
A
Young
Iain
I
D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D010649:Phenylalanine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D012212:Rheology; D012997:Solvents; D014633:Valine
D010455:Peptides; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D010649:Phenylalanine; D014633:Valine