Background:
The conjugation of small organic molecules to self-assembling peptides is a versatile
tool to decorate nanostructures with original functionalities. Labeling with chromophores or fluorophores, for
example, creates optically active fibers with potential interest in photonic devices.
Aim and Objective:
In this work, we present a rapid and effective labeling procedure for a self-assembling peptide
able to form nanofibers. Rapid periodate oxidation of the N-terminal serine residue of the peptide and subsequent
conjugation with dansyl moiety generated fluorophore-decorated peptides.
Results:
Three dansyl-conjugated self-assembling peptides with variable spacer-length were synthesized and
characterized and the role of the size of the linker between fluorophore and peptide in self-assembling was investigated.
Our results show that a short linker can alter the self-assembly in nanofibers of the peptide.
Conclusions:
Herein we report on an alternative strategy for creating functionalized nanofibrils, able to expand
the toolkit of chemoselective bioconjugation strategies to be used in site-specific decoration of self-assembling peptides.
Deciphering the evolution of supramolecular nanofibers in solution and solid-state: a combined microscopic and spectroscopic approach