title: Probing the role of aromaticity in the design of dipeptide based nanostructures.
abstract: Self-assembly of peptide into nanostructures is believed to be stabilized primarily by aromatic interactions. Using a minimalistic approach, we probed the importance of aromatic interactions in the self-assembly of simple model dipeptides. Our results suggest that aromaticity may not be absolutely essential for self-assembly, even though it tends to provide directionality to the assembly. We found that peptides containing cyclic/linear side chain hydrophobic residues were also capable of forming stable self-assemblies that are stabilized by hydrophobic interactions. Our observations will find relevance in the design of small peptide based nanoparticles.
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India.
authors.forename: Aseem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: Virander Singh
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Chauhan
mesh_terms: D004151:Dipeptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004151:Dipeptides; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; C026650:phenylalanylphenylalanine