title: Guided folding takes a start from the molecular imprinting of structured epitopes.
abstract: A biomimetic route towards assisted folding was explored. Molecularly imprinted polymeric nanoparticles (MIP NPs), i.e. biomimetics with entailed molecular recognition properties made by a template assisted synthesis, were prepared to target a structured epitope: the cystine containing peptide CC9ox, which corresponds to the apical portion of the β-hairpin hormone Hepcidin-25. The structural selection was achieved by the MIP NPs; moreover, the MIP NPs demonstrated favouring the folding of the linear random peptide (CC9red) into the structured one (CC9ox), anticipating the future role of the MIP NPs as in situ nanomachines to counteract folding defects.
authors.affiliation: University of Verona, Dept. of Biotechnology, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy. alessandramaria.bossi@univr.it.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cenci
authors.affiliation: University of Trento, Dept. of Physics, Via Sommarive 14, 38123 Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guella
authors.affiliation: University of Verona, Dept. of Biotechnology, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy. alessandramaria.bossi@univr.it.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Andreetto
authors.affiliation: University Cà Foscari Venezia, Dept. of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Centro di Microscopia Elettronica "Giovanni Stevanato", Via Torino 155/b, 30173 Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ambrosi
authors.affiliation: University of Trento, Dept. of Physics, Via Sommarive 14, 38123 Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anesi
authors.affiliation: University of Verona, Dept. of Biotechnology, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy. alessandramaria.bossi@univr.it.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bossi