Abstract
Gabapentin, an antiepileptic drug, is known to form stable helical structures in short peptides. Distinctly, we report on the newly synthesized γ-analogue of gabapentin, that is, γ-gabapentin (γ-Gpn), which manifests β-sheet character at molecular and nanofibrous hydrogels at the supramolecular level. We investigated the influence of proximally immobilized cationic amino acids (lysine and arginine) on the self-assembly of backbone-expanded tripeptide motif. Interestingly, arginine was found to be superior, both physically and mechanically, over lysine in driving hydrogelation. We have concluded that intrinsic and biochemically distinct properties of the guanidinium ion of arginine (compared to ammonium ion of lysine) have contributed towards this effect. Furthermore, similar to pyroglutamyl (pGlu) modified amyloid β peptides, N-pGlu modification of our self-assembling tripeptide motif exerts a dramatic influence on aggregation and exhibits enhanced β-sheet character, accelerated self-assembly kinetics, improved optical transparency and provides higher mechanical stiffness to the peptide hydrogel.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
