Split of chiral degeneracy in mechanical and structural properties of oligopeptide-polysaccharide biomaterials

Biomacromolecules. 2013 Sep 9;14(9):3192-201. doi: 10.1021/bm4008309. Epub 2013 Aug 8.

Abstract

Enantiomeric biomaterials which are mirror images of each other are characterized by chiral degeneracy--identical structural characteristics and bulk material properties. The addition of another chiral component, D-polysaccharide, has been shown to split such degeneracy and result in two distinct biomaterials. Dynamic oscillatory rheometry and small-angle X-ray scattering demonstrate that the natural biochirality combination of L-peptides and D-polysaccharides assembles faster, has higher elastic moduli (G'), and is structurally more beneficial as opposed to the alternative D-peptide and D-polysaccharide combination. Chemical modifications of the OH-groups in α-D-glucose units in D-polysaccharides weaken such splitting of chiral degeneracy. These findings form a basis to design novel biomaterials and provide additional insight on why proteins and polysaccharides have oppoiste chirality in the biological world.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Cellulose / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cellulose / chemistry
  • Chondroitin Sulfates / chemistry*
  • Cyclodextrins / chemistry*
  • Elastic Modulus
  • Glycogen / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Models, Chemical
  • Models, Molecular
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry*
  • Scattering, Small Angle
  • Stereoisomerism
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Cyclodextrins
  • Hydrogels
  • Oligopeptides
  • Cellulose
  • Glycogen
  • Chondroitin Sulfates
  • hydroxypropylcellulose