Metallo-coiled Coil Stabilization via Chemical Cross-Linking: Implications for Gd(III)-Based MRI Contrast Agents.

ABSTRACT: Coiled coils are a versatile class of protein-inspired metal-binding ligands with well-defined sequence-to-structure relationships and high synthetic accessibility, making them promising tunable ligands for applications spanning biomedical imaging, catalysis, and material science. However, their practical utility is often limited by poor stability, particularly under physiological conditions. Herein, we introduce a covalent interhelical isopeptide cross-linking strategy that significantly enhances the thermal, thermodynamic, kinetic, and proteolytic stability of lanthanide-bound coiled coils designed for use as MRI contrast agents. Biophysical analysis, including CD, native MS, HPLC, and fluorescence assays, reveal that introduction of a single cross-linking layer promotes structural organ

SUBMITTER: Hadley KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12636026 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature