Redox-sensitive reversible self-assembly of amino acid-naphthalene diimide conjugates.

ABSTRACT: Peptide and low molecular weight amino acid-based materials that self-assemble in response to environmental triggers are highly desirable candidates in forming functional materials with tunable biophysical properties. In this paper, we explore redox-sensitive self-assembly of cationic phenylalanine derivatives conjugated to naphthalene diimide (NDI). Self-assembly of the cationic Phe-NDI conjugates into nanofibrils was induced in aqueous solvent at high ionic strength. Under reducing conditions, these self-assembled Phe-NDI conjugate fibrils underwent a morphological change to non-fibril aggregates. Upon reoxidation, the initially observed fibrils were reformed. The study herein provides an interesting strategy to effect reversible switching of the structure of supramolecular materials tha

SUBMITTER: Liyanage W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5665789 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature