Volume 55, Issue 2 pp. 598-601
Communication

Incorporation of a Non-Natural Arginine Analogue into a Cyclic Peptide Leads to Formation of Positively Charged Nanofibers Capable of Gene Transfection

Mao Li

Mao Li

Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen (Germany)

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Martin Ehlers

Martin Ehlers

Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen (Germany)

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Stefanie Schlesiger

Stefanie Schlesiger

Institute for Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen (Germany)

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Elio Zellermann

Elio Zellermann

Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen (Germany)

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Prof. Shirley K. Knauer

Prof. Shirley K. Knauer

Institute for Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen (Germany)

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Prof. Carsten Schmuck

Corresponding Author

Prof. Carsten Schmuck

Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen (Germany)

Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen (Germany)Search for more papers by this author
First published: 27 November 2015
Citations: 73

Graphical Abstract

Delivering the goods: After functionalization of the cyclic peptide (Ka)4 with a single guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole (GCP) moiety, cationic nanofibers of micrometer length are formed. These aggregates are efficient gene transfection vectors. DNA binds to their cationic surface and is efficiently delivered into cells. GFP=green fluorescent protein.

Abstract

Functionalization of the tetracationic cyclic peptide (Ka)4 with a single guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole (GCP) moiety, a weakly basic but highly efficient arginine analogue, completely alters the self-assembly properties of the peptide. In contrast to the nonfunctionalized peptide 2, which does not self-assemble, GCP-containing peptide 1 forms cationic nanofibers of micrometer length. These aggregates are efficient gene transfection vectors. DNA binds to their cationic surface and is efficiently delivered into cells.

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