title: Symmetry-Directed Self-Organization in Peptide Nanoassemblies through Aromatic π-π Interactions.
abstract: Almost all biological systems are assemblies of one or more biomolecules from nano- to macrodimensions. Unlike inorganic molecules, peptide systems attune with the conceptual framework of aggregation models when forming nanoassemblies. Three significant recent theoretical models have indicated that nucleation, end-to-end association, and geometry of growth are determined primarily by the size and electrostatics of the individual basic building blocks. In this study, we tested six model systems, differentially modulating the prominence of three design variables, namely, aromatic π-π interactions, local electrostatics, and overall symmetry of the basic building unit. Our results indicate that the crucial design elements in a peptide-based nanoassembly are (a) a stable extended π-π interaction network, (b) size, and (c) overall symmetry of the basic building blocks. The six model systems represent all of the design variables in the best manner possible, considering the complexity of a biomolecule. The results provide important directives in deciding the morphology and crystallinity of peptide nanoassemblies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati , Guwahati 781039, India.
authors.forename: Sajitha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sasidharan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati , Guwahati 781039, India.
authors.forename: Prakash Kishore
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Hazam
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati , Guwahati 781039, India.
authors.forename: Vibin
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8048-3211
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramakrishnan
mesh_terms: D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000737:chemistry; D011487:Protein Conformation; D055503:Protein Multimerization
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D010649:Phenylalanine