Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuting Liu, Guoliang Zhu, Zhuanglin Shen, Yantao Chen
Summary: This study compared the assembly behaviors of different peptides around interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) through molecular simulations and characterized the sequence effect of peptides on delivering IFN-alpha. The results showed that hydrophobic peptides tended to self-aggregate, while hydrophilic zwitterionic peptides tended to phase-separate from IFN-alpha. Peptides with a hybrid sequence exhibited the highest contact preference and provided IFN-alpha with better thermal stability and stealth property.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jianwei Zhang, Xuefeng Bai, Rongrong Chen, Jing Yu, Gaohui Sun, Qi Liu, Jingyuan Liu, Jiahui Zhu, Shifeng Guo, Jun Wang
Summary: Amphiphilic antifouling coatings were prepared by introducing polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane, exhibiting uniform morphology, high transmittance, low surface roughness, and amphiphilic property. The coatings showed reduced protein adhesion force and quality, antibacterial activity, and inhibited fouling adhesion. The coatings also interfered with mussel adhesion response and displayed excellent fouling release property.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Angel Espinoza-Gonzalez, Carmen Hernandez-Valencia, Luis Cedeno-Caero, Roberto Sanchez-Sanchez, Carmina Montiel, Miquel Gimeno
Summary: Subtilisin Carlsberg, an alkaline protease from Bacillus licheniformis, can catalyze the synthesis of high molecular weight cationic alpha-poly-L-lysine and amphiphilic poly(alpha-L-lysine-co-L-phenylalanine) in organic solvent. The reaction is conducted in hydrophobic non-toxic 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane solvent, and the low water environment limits hydrolysis of the peptide chains. The organic compressed fluid used in the reaction has low-pressure requirements and evaporates completely after the reaction, leaving no solvent residues. The resulting polypeptides show no cytotoxicity in human cells.
BIOPROCESS AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Xiang Xu, Shuxin Liu, He Gao, Ming Li, Junnan He, Yubin Zheng, Wangze Song, Nan Zheng
Summary: A library of polypeptides bearing fully-substituted triazoles (FT) was developed through a Cu-catalyzed multicomponent reaction (MCR). The introduction of FT avoided undesired hydrogen bonding and stabilized the alpha-helix structure in a broad pH range. Their gene delivery performance in serum also demonstrated their potential in biological applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Natalia Zashikhina, Mariia Levit, Anatoliy Dobrodumov, Sergey Gladnev, Antonina Lavrentieva, Tatiana Tennikova, Evgenia Korzhikova-Vlakh
Summary: This research proposes the development and investigation of novel nanoobjects for drug delivery systems, based on biodegradable random polypeptides and synthetic non-degradable glycopolymer poly(2-deoxy-2-methacrylamido-d-glucose). Two different approaches have been applied to prepare these nanomaterials, and in vitro tests have shown comparable antitumor activity to commercially available drugs.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Yi Yao, Xiaoxin Shi, Zihong Zhao, Afang Zhang, Wen Li
Summary: Convenient chemical modification of biomacromolecules with dendritic oligoethylene glycols enables the preparation of functional materials with thermoresponsive behavior. These materials possess efficient cooperative interactions and confined microenvironments, allowing for the regulation of the behavior and functions of encapsulated molecules or moieties.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Paula Malo de Molina, Demetris Kafouris, Costas S. Patrickios, Laurence Noirez, Michael Gradzielski
Summary: In this paper, the oil solubilization in hydrogels called amphiphilic polymer conetworks (APCNs) is studied using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). It is found that the solubilization of different oils in APCNs is correlated with the oil polarity, demonstrating the high selectivity of APCNs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yusei Kobayashi, Arash Nikoubashman
Summary: This study investigates the self-assembly of amphiphilic cubic colloids using molecular dynamics and rejection-free kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. By varying the number and location of solvophobic faces on the cubes, the size and shape distributions of the self-assembled aggregates are determined. The results show that the binding energy and temperature influence the stability and size of the aggregates. The shapes of the aggregates range from elongated rods to fractal objects and compact spheres, depending on the number and arrangement of solvophobic patches on the cubic colloids.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sirilak Wangngae, Kantapat Chansaenpak, Oratai Weeranantanapan, Pornthip Piyanuch, Thitima Sumphanapai, Montarop Yamabhai, Parinya Noisa, Rung-Yi Lai, Anyanee Kamkaew
Summary: In this study, two novel Hcyanines-based theranostic probes, IR794-Morph and IR794-Morph-Mpip, were designed and synthesized to improve cancer cell internalization and targeting. These probes showed broad NIR absorption and fluorescence emission suitable for deep seated tumor imaging under acidic conditions. In vitro study revealed that IR794-Morph-Mpip exhibited better cancer targetability towards various cancer cell lines compared to normal cells, and it was mainly localized in lysosomes and mitochondria within the cancer cells. The mechanism of cellular uptake was identified as endocytosis through OATPs receptors and clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Moreover, IR794-Morph-Mpip displayed anti-cancer activity towards all tested cancer cell types at a lower concentration than normal cells.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Winnie H. Shi, Rohan S. Adhikari, Dilipkumar N. Asthagiri, Amanda B. Marciel
Summary: We studied the influence of charge block length on the structure and behavior of polyampholyte chains using SAXS and molecular simulations. By synthesizing polyampholytes with different lengths of glutamic acid and lysine blocks, we found that longer blocks tend to induce phase separation. The addition of NaCl affected the phase behavior in a manner dependent on the charge block length. Our findings suggest the importance of electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding in phase separation and offer insights for intracellular condensates and material design.
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Yong Du, Yu'e Ma, Wenbo Sun, Zhenhai Wang
Summary: This study conducts moisture absorption tests on four different stacking sequences of CFRP composites, and finds that the moisture absorption curves exhibit three stages. A modified Fickian model is proposed to describe the moisture diffusion behavior of the materials. Comparing the performance changes among different stacking sequences, the [90]16 sample shows the lowest saturated moisture content and the highest strength degradation.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF AERONAUTICS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Xiao-Yan Zu, Wen-Bo Liu, Guang-Quan Xiong, Tao Liao, Hai-Lan Li
Summary: The antioxidant activity and physicochemical properties of swim bladder polypeptides (SBPs) from Acipenser schrencki were analyzed. The optimal conditions for enzymatic digestion were determined as alkaline protease with a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:20, 4-hour incubation at 55 degrees C, and an enzyme dosage of 5000 U/g. Ultrafiltration yielded three fractions (F1, F2, and F3) with F3 showing the highest removal rates of O-2 center dot(-), DPPH center dot, and center dot OH. F3 contained proline, hydroxyproline, and hydrophobic amino acids, as well as antioxidant and inhibitory peptides.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Avinash Chauhan, Dorothy Gogoi, Sanjay Puri, Awaneesh Singh
Summary: This study presents the phase separation dynamics of a binary simple fluid and amphiphilic polymer mixture using dissipative particle dynamics simulation. The results show that the presence of amphiphilic polymers leads to significantly different evolution morphologies and deviation from dynamical scaling. The study also confirms the existence of hydrodynamic growth regimes in low surfactant-influenced phase separation kinetics of binary fluids.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Winnie H. Shi, Rohan S. Adhikari, Dilipkumar N. Asthagiri, Amanda B. Marciel
Summary: In this study, the effect of charge block length on the conformation and phase behavior of polyampholyte chains was investigated using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and molecular simulations. The results showed that as the block size increased, the polyampholyte chains tended to phase separate. The addition of NaCl resulted in a salting-in effect in the phase separated polyampholytes, which was dependent on the charge block length. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed the disruption of intramolecular hydrogen bonds upon the addition of NaCl, indicating the involvement of electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding in the phase behavior. SAXS spectra showed minimal dependence of charge block length on the radius of gyration (Rg) for soluble polyampholytes under no-added salt conditions, but local chain stiffening was found to be dependent on charge block length. With increasing NaCl, all polyampholytes expanded and behaved as neutral or swollen chains in good solvent conditions, consistent with electrostatic screening. Molecular simulations were in qualitative agreement with the experiments. The implications of this study for understanding intracellular condensates and material design were also highlighted.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
L. Jami, T. Zemb, J. Casas, J-F. Dufreche
Summary: Environmental conditions can affect olfactory scent and chemical communication among species through the interaction of odorant molecules with aerosols. The study shows that pheromones can adsorb on aqueous aerosols when dispersed in air, but their residence time on pure water surfaces is short. The adsorption is influenced by factors such as entropy, enthalpy, structural arrangement, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophilic tail positioning.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)