Cystine Residues Research Articles

Human Epididymis Protein-4 (HE-4): A Novel Cross-Class Protease Inhibitor

Epididymal proteins represent the factors necessary for maturation of sperm and play a crucial role in sperm maturation. HE-4, an epididymal protein, is a member of whey acidic protein four-disulfide core (WFDC) family with no known function. A WFDC protein has a conserved WFDC domain of 50 amino acids with eight conserved cystine residue. HE-4 is a 124 amino acid long polypeptide with two WFDC domains. Here, we show that HE-4 is secreted in the human seminal fluid as a disulfide-bonded homo-trimer and is a cross-class protease inhibitor inhibits some of the serine, aspartyl and cysteine proteases tested using hemoglobin as a substrate. Using SPR we have also observed that HE-4 shows a significant binding with all these proteases. Disulfide linkages are essential for this activity. Moreover, HE-4 is N-glycosylated and highly stable on a wide range of pH and temperature. Taken together this suggests that HE-4 is a cross-class protease inhibitor which might confer protection against microbial virulence factors of proteolytic nature.

Photo-oxidation of proteins

Photo-induced damage to proteins occurs via multiple pathways. Direct damage induced by UVB (λ 280-320 nm) and UVA radiation (λ 320-400 nm) is limited to a small number of amino acid residues, principally tryptophan (Trp), tyrosine (Tyr), histidine (His) and disulfide (cystine) residues, with this occurring via both excited state species and radicals. Indirect protein damage can occur via singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)(1)Δ(g)), with this resulting in damage to Trp, Tyr, His, cystine, cysteine (Cys) and methionine (Met) residues. Although initial damage is limited to these residues multiple secondary processes, that occur both during and after radiation exposure, can result in damage to other intra- and inter-molecular sites. Secondary damage can arise via radicals (e.g. Trp, Tyr and Cys radicals), from reactive intermediates generated by (1)O(2) (e.g. Trp, Tyr and His peroxides) and via molecular reactions of photo-products (e.g. reactive carbonyls). These processes can result in protein fragmentation, aggregation, altered physical and chemical properties (e.g. hydrophobicity and charge) and modulated biological turnover. Accumulating evidence implicates these events in cellular and tissue dysfunction (e.g. apoptosis, necrosis and altered cell signaling), and multiple human pathologies.

Aromatic Residues Regulating Electron Relay Ability of S-Containing Amino Acids by Formations of S∴π Multicenter Three-Electron Bonds in Proteins

The ab initio calculations predict that the side chains of four aromatic amino acids (Phe, His, Tyr, and Trp residues) may promote methionine and cystine residues to participate in the protein electron hole transport by the formation of special multicenter, three-electron bonds (S∴π) between the S-atoms and the aromatic rings. The formations of S∴π bonds can efficiently lower the local ionization energies, which drive the electron hole moving to the close side chains of S-containing and aromatic residues in proteins. Additionally, the proper binding energies for the S∴π bonds imply that the self-movement of proteins can dissociate these three-electron bonds and promote electron hole relay.

Poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) Depolymerase from Fusarium solani Thom

Fusarium solani Thom produced maximum PHB depolymerase by 48 h when grown in BHM containing 0.2%, w/v PHB, pH 8.0 at 25°C. Statistical optimization studies using Plackett Burman design of PHB depolymerase production yielded maximum PHB depolymerase activity after 2 days as against 4 days in the unoptimized conditions with a 2‐fold increase in activity. Partial purification of the extracellular poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) depolymerase PHAZFus from F. solani Thom by two steps using ammonium sulphate (80% saturation) and affinity chromatography using concanavalin‐A yielded 162.3‐fold purity and 63% recovery of protein. The enzyme composed of a single polypeptide chain of 85 KDa, as determined by SDS‐PAGE. The enzyme stained positive for glycoprotein by PAS staining. Optimum enzyme activity was detected at pH 7.0 and 55°C. The enzyme was stable at pH 7.0 and 55°C for 24 h with a residual activity of almost 85%. Paper chromatography revealed β‐hydroxybutyrate monomer as the major end product of PHB hydrolysis. Complete inhibition of the enzyme by 1 mM HgCl2 (100%) indicated the importance of essential disulfide bonds (cystine residues) for enzyme activity or probably for maintaining the native enzyme structure.

Photoinitiator-free Photo-reactive Coloration of Wool Fabrics Using C.I. Reactive Black 5

Compared with conventional adsorption-based coloration, the photoreactions of dyes such as photo-copolymerization and photo-crosslinking under UV irradiation can be employed for the coloration of textiles, which can be carried out without salt addition at room temperature. C.I. Reactive Black 5, a homo-bifunctional reactive dye containing two sulfatoethylsulfone groups, is used as a photo-reactive dye for wool fibers. Upon UV irradiation, the photo-reactive dye was grafted onto wool fabrics without photoinitiators. Since the disulfide bonds in the cystine residues of wool can be easily photodecomposed to active thiyl radicals which initiate the polymerization, the dye can be polymerized to an oligomeric dye of a degree of polymerization of 12 or more. The grafted fabrics reached a grafting yield of 2.3% o.w.f. and a color yield (K/S) of 18.2 by the photografting of an aqueous dye concentration of 9% using a UV energy of 25J/<TEX>$cm^2$</TEX>. Furthermore, the photochemically dyed wool fabric showed higher colorfastness properties to light, laundering and rubbing comparable to conventional reactive dyeing.

Batroxase, a new metalloproteinase from B. atrox snake venom with strong fibrinolytic activity

The structures and functional activities of metalloproteinases from snake venoms have been widely studied because of the importance of these molecules in envenomation. Batroxase, which is a metalloproteinase isolated from Bothrops atrox (Pará) snake venom, was obtained by gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography. The enzyme is a single protein chain composed of 202 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 22.9kDa, as determined by mass spectrometry analysis, showing an isoelectric point of 7.5. The primary sequence analysis indicates that the proteinase contains a zinc ligand motif (HELGHNLGISH) and a sequence C164I165M166 motif that is associated with a “Met-turn” structure. The protein lacks N-glycosylation sites and contains seven half cystine residues, six of which are conserved as pairs to form disulfide bridges. The three-dimensional structure of Batroxase was modeled based on the crystal structure of BmooMPα-I from Bothrops moojeni. The model revealed that the zinc binding site has a high structural similarity to the binding site of other metalloproteinases. Batroxase presented weak hemorrhagic activity, with a MHD of 10μg, and was able to hydrolyze extracellular matrix components, such as type IV collagen and fibronectin. The toxin cleaves both α and β-chains of the fibrinogen molecule, and it can be inhibited by EDTA, EGTA and β-mercaptoethanol. Batroxase was able to dissolve fibrin clots independently of plasminogen activation. These results demonstrate that Batroxase is a zinc-dependent hemorrhagic metalloproteinase with fibrin(ogen)olytic and thrombolytic activity.

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy of fibrous proteins

UV-visible diffuse reflectance (DR) spectra of the fibrous proteins wool and feather keratin, silk fibroin and bovine skin collagen are presented. Natural wool contains much higher levels of visible chromophores across the whole visible range (700-400nm) than the other proteins and only those above 450nm are effectively removed by bleaching. Both oxidative and reductive bleaching are inefficient for removing yellow chromophores (450-400nm absorbers) from wool. The DR spectra of the four UV-absorbing amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine, cystine and phenylalanine were recorded as finely ground powders. In contrast to their UV-visible spectra in aqueous solution where tryptophan and tyrosine are the major UV absorbing species, surprisingly the disulphide chromophore of solid cystine has the strongest UV absorbance measured using the DR remission function F(R)(∞). The DR spectra of unpigmented feather and wool keratin appear to be dominated by cystine absorption near 290nm, whereas silk fibroin appears similar to tyrosine. Because cystine has a flat reflectance spectrum in the visible region from 700 to 400nm and the powder therefore appears white, cystine absorption does not contribute to the cream colour of wool despite the high concentration of cystine residues near the cuticle surface. The disulphide absorption of solid L: -cystine in the DR spectrum at 290nm is significantly red shifted by ~40nm relative to its wavelength in solution, whereas homocystine and lipoic acid showed smaller red shifts of 20nm. The large red shift observed for cystine and the large difference in intensity of absorption in its UV-visible and DR spectra may be due to differences in the dihedral angle between the crystalline solid and the solvated molecules in solution.

A New β Chain Hemoglobin Variant With Increased Oxygen Affinity: Hb Santa Giusta Sardegna [β93(F9)Cys→Trp; HBB c.282T>G

During a screening program for the identification of β-thalassemia (β-thal) carriers in Sardinia, Italy, we identified two subjects with increased hemoglobin (Hb) levels and an abnormal Hb variant. The same variant was detected in a family member. DNA sequencing revealed a TGT > TGG mutation at codon 93 of the β-globin gene. Structural analysis demonstrated that the cystine residue at position 93 of the β chain was substituted by tryptophan.Since this amino acid substitution had not yet been reported, we designated this variant Hb Santa Giusta Sardegna for the place of birth of the subjects. This amino acid substitution occurs at the tyrosine pocket of the β chain as well as at the α1β2/α2β1 contact of the quaternary structure of the molecule. The presence of this Hb in the hemolysate causes an increased oxygen affinity, a slightly reduced Bohr effect and a reduced heme-heme interaction (n50, Hill’s constant) in comparison with those of Hb A.

Microwave Synthesis of Prion Protein Fragments up to 111 Amino Acids in Length Generates Biologically Active Peptides

Misfolded conformers of the prion protein are aetiologically implicated in neurodegenerative conditions termed prion diseases (also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies). Two constitutively expressed N-terminal peptides corresponding to human residues 23–90 and 23–111 are thought to serve normal physiological roles related to neuronal protection with membrane binding possibly playing a part in their mechanism of action. These peptides, along with several derivatives up to 111 residues in length, have been produced by microwave assisted peptide synthesis. HPLC and MS characterisation showed that the peptides were manufactured in good yields at high purity. Peptides were assayed by fluorescence spectroscopy for synthetic lipid-membrane binding activity and by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay for the amelioration of reactive oxygen species production. Results of these assays were similar to those reported for the wild type recombinant PrP, demonstrating that these synthetic peptides are useful for biological and chemical assays of PrP activity. Further, the longest peptide 1–111 was dimerised via a single internal cystine residue with good yield. The high yields and low purification burden of the microwave assisted synthesis method lends itself to the production of difficult to produce peptides for such studies.

Reactions of β-Propiolactone with Nucleobase Analogues, Nucleosides, and Peptides: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE INACTIVATION OF VIRUSES

β-Propiolactone is often applied for inactivation of viruses and preparation of viral vaccines. However, the exact nature of the reactions of β-propiolactone with viral components is largely unknown. The purpose of the current study was to elucidate the chemical modifications occurring on nucleotides and amino acid residues caused by β-propiolactone. Therefore, a set of nucleobase analogues was treated with β-propiolactone, and reaction products were identified and quantified. NMR revealed at least one modification in either deoxyguanosine, deoxyadenosine, or cytidine after treatment with β-propiolactone. However, no reaction products were found from thymidine and uracil. The most reactive sides of the nucleobase analogues and nucleosides were identified by NMR. Furthermore, a series of synthetic peptides was used to determine the conversion of reactive amino acid residues by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. β-Propiolactone was shown to react with nine different amino acid residues. The most reactive residues are cysteine, methionine, and histidine and, to a lesser degree, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, tyrosine, lysine, serine, and threonine. Remarkably, cystine residues (disulfide groups) do not react with β-propiolactone. In addition, no reaction was observed for β-propiolactone with asparagine, glutamine, and tryptophan residues. β-Propiolactone modifies proteins to a larger extent than expected from current literature. In conclusion, the study determined the reactivity of β-propiolactone with nucleobase analogues, nucleosides, and amino acid residues and elucidated the chemical structures of the reaction products. The study provides detailed knowledge on the chemistry of β-propiolactone inactivation of viruses.

Redox properties of the tissue factor Cys186–Cys209 disulfide bond

TF (tissue factor) is a transmembrane cofactor that initiates blood coagulation in mammals by binding Factor VIIa to activate Factors X and IX. The cofactor can reside in a cryptic configuration on primary cells and de-encryption may involve a redox change in the C-terminal domain Cys(186)-Cys(209) disulfide bond. The redox potential of the bond, the spacing of the reduced cysteine thiols and their oxidation by TF activators was investigated to test the involvement of the dithiol/disulfide in TF activation. A standard redox potential of -278 mV was determined for the Cys(186)-Cys(209) disulfide of recombinant soluble TF. Notably, ablating the N-terminal domain Cys(49)-Cys(57) disulfide markedly increased the redox potential of the Cys(186)-Cys(209) bond, suggesting that the N-terminal bond may be involved in the regulation of redox activity at the C-terminal bond. Using As(III) and dibromobimane as molecular rulers for closely spaced sulfur atoms, the reduced Cys(186) and Cys(209) sulfurs were found to be within 3-6 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) of each other, which is close enough to reform the disulfide bond. HgCl2 is a very efficient activator of cellular TF and activating concentrations of HgCl2-mediated oxidation of the reduced Cys(186) and Cys(209) thiols of soluble TF. Moreover, PAO (phenylarsonous acid), which cross-links two cysteine thiols that are in close proximity, and MMTS (methyl methanethiolsulfonate), at concentrations where it oxidizes closely spaced cysteine residues to a cystine residue, were efficient activators of cellular TF. These findings further support a role for Cys(186) and Cys(209) in TF activation.

Application of XANES profiles to X-ray spectromicroscopy for biomedical specimens: Part II. Mapping oxidation state of cysteine in human hair

Human hair fibers are primarily composed of keratin protein, characterized by a very high content of cysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, which ordinarily forms cystine via a disulfide bond. It is known that some cystine residues are converted to cysteic acid during permanent waving or hair coloring, although details of their distribution and extent are still unclear. In this study, by using difference in XANES profiles of cystine and cysteic acid at the S-K absorption edge, the formation of cysteic acid was confirmed for homogenized samples of permed or bleached hair. Furthermore chemical mapping of cysteic acid was performed on hair-section samples with X-ray contact microscopy. The peripheral region, cuticle, in bleached hair showed the highest content of cysteic acid compared with the other parts, while permed hair showed relatively uniform distribution. This finding suggests that perming and bleaching damage hair by different mechanisms.

Antibacterial activity of a synthetic peptide that mimics the LPS binding domain of Indian mud crab, Scylla serrata Anti-lipopolysaccharide Factor (SsALF) also involved in the modulation of vaginal immune functions through NF-kB signaling

Recently the cDNA coding for anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (ALF) has been identified from the Indian mud crab, Scylla serrata and has been named S. serrata anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (SsALF). SsALF protein sequence demonstrated the presence of two highly conserved cystine residues between which the putative lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding domain is known to be located. In this study, we have designed and synthesized a 24 amino acid linear (lSsALF24) and a cyclic (cSsALF24) peptides based on this putative LPS binding domain and demonstrated the ability of these peptides to bind to LPS. The peptides were active against vaginal pathogens demonstrated by MIC, CFU and phagocytosis assays. cSsALF24 did not show toxicity to human vaginal epithelial cells (HeLa-S3), macrophages and rabbit erythrocytes even at high concentration (64.64 μM). Flow cytometry results demonstrated that cSsALF24 peptide suppressed LPS induced phagocytosis of FITC labeled E. coli. HeLa cells were stimulated with LPS (10 μg/ml) alone for 6 h or after two washings with PBS, treated for 1 h with cSsALF24 (64.64 μM). After washing, the cells were cultured for 24 h in fresh media. The spent media as well as cells were collected for the determination of cytokine/chemokine levels such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-1α (IL-1α) using ELISA and RT-PCR respectively. Similar results were obtained with LPS stimulated cells treated with c/nSsALF24 or unstimulated cells treated with c/nSsALF24. The expression of cytokine/chemokines and mRNA’s coding these proteins were unaffected in c/nSsALF24 treated cells. In contrast, in LPS stimulated cells, the expression levels of these molecules were up-regulated via the induction of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) levels. However, the expression of these pro-inflammatory markers was decreased in LPS stimulated cells following the treatment with cSsALF24, attributing anti-inflammatory potential of the peptide. Collectively, these findings suggest that cSsALF24 might regulate the vaginal epithelial cell immune responses indirectly through modulation of LPS-TLR4 binding in NF-kB pathway.

Perfluorooctanoic Acid for Shotgun Proteomics

Here, we describe the novel use of a volatile surfactant, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), for shotgun proteomics. PFOA was found to solubilize membrane proteins as effectively as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). PFOA concentrations up to 0.5% (w/v) did not significantly inhibit trypsin activity. The unique features of PFOA allowed us to develop a single-tube shotgun proteomics method that used all volatile chemicals that could easily be removed by evaporation prior to mass spectrometry analysis. The experimental procedures involved: 1) extraction of proteins in 2% PFOA; 2) reduction of cystine residues with triethyl phosphine and their S-alkylation with iodoethanol; 3) trypsin digestion of proteins in 0.5% PFOA; 4) removal of PFOA by evaporation; and 5) LC-MS/MS analysis of the resulting peptides. The general applicability of the method was demonstrated with the membrane preparation of photoreceptor outer segments. We identified 75 proteins from 1 µg of the tryptic peptides in a single, 1-hour, LC-MS/MS run. About 67% of the proteins identified were classified as membrane proteins. We also demonstrate that a proteolytic 18O labeling procedure can be incorporated after the PFOA removal step for quantitative proteomic experiments. The present method does not require sample clean-up devices such as solid-phase extractions and membrane filters, so no proteins/peptides are lost in any experimental steps. Thus, this single-tube shotgun proteomics method overcomes the major drawbacks of surfactant use in proteomic experiments.

Structural, functional and chemical changes in Pseudozyma antarctica lipase B on exposure to hydrogen peroxide

The effect on primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of Pseudozyma (formerly Candida) antarctica lipase B (PalB) on exposure to hydrogen peroxide was investigated using nano-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (nano-ESI-MS), liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), circular dichroism (CD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Treatment with hydrogen peroxide generated heavier protein variants, with a mass gain that increased with increasing incubation time. Furthermore, elevated concentration of H 2O 2 was shown to result in partial fragmentation of the protein. Proteolytic digestion of the enzyme gave primary sequence coverage of more than 90%, revealing oxidation of methionine, tryptophan and cystine residues. The active site histidine was not observed in oxidized form in any of the experiments. However, oxidation of cystine to cysteic acid indicated disruption of disulphide bridges, and CD evaluations confirmed that severe changes to the secondary structure towards random coil had occurred. The structural changes could be an effect of the observed amino acid side chain oxidations, and was correlated with deactivation of the lipase. From DLS experiments, it was seen that the lipase exposed to both high temperature and H 2O 2 formed large and intermediate sized aggregates, not observed for the heat-treated enzyme. The findings reported here could lay the basis for developing enzyme variants with higher oxidative stability.

Effect of disulfide bonds in human hair fibers on the melting behavior of their crystalline structure

In order to reveal the role of disulfide (S‐S) bonds in the fine structure of human hair fibers, especially in the complex between intermediate filaments (IFs) and intermediate filament‐associated proteins (IFAP), we investigated the relationship between melting behavior of (‐crystallites on thermal analysis and structural orientation of the fibers when S‐S bonds were oxidized using 1.5 wt% peracetic acid (PAA) solution. It was revealed that oxidative treatment of human hair fibers immersed in PAA solution made cystine residues dissociate to cysteic acids and that the (‐crystalline structure of the oxidized hair fibers was maintained despite the fission of S‐S bonds. Their thermographs in water on high pressure differential scanning calorimetry (HPD‐SC) showed that the endothermic peak assigned as the melting of (‐crystallites became separated into two endothermic peaks with progression of the treatment time, and the one started melting at a lower temperature while the other had a higher melting temperature than the melting temperature of untreated hair. Furthermore, the sum of the two endothermic peak areas decreased. Polarized light microscopic observation indicated that the orientation of IFAP still existed at the temperature at which the orientation of IFs disappeared. Therefore, these results suggested that some S‐S linkages at the interface between IFs and IFAP dissociated with the PAA treatment and that there was not only some region of IFs stabilized by S‐S bonds but also another region of IFs stabilized by hydrophobic interaction for their thermostability.Keywords: human hair fiber, peracetic acid, disulfide bonds, intermediate filament, (‐crystallites, thermostability, high pressure differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Dissociation of copper(ii) ternary complexes containing cystine

The collision-induced dissociations are reported for Cu(II) complexes containing 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (tacn) as the auxiliary ligand and a peptide containing one cystine residue. For six of the complexes examined, cleavage of the S-S bond in the peptide was the dominant fragmentation pathway. The exceptions were for complexes containing the largest peptides, (GlyCys'Gly)(2) and (GlyGlyCys')(2) (Cys' = NHCH(CH(2)S)CO, one half of the cystine residue; terminal H and OH are implicit), for which proton transfer to the auxiliary ligand was the major channel. Cleavage of the C-S bond was observed, but was a minor channel for all complexes. The radical cation (Cys')(2)(*+) was not observed although the complementary ion [Cu(I)(tacn)](+) was present in moderate abundance. Density functional calculations (at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)) gave low barriers to fragmentation of (Cys')(2)(*+) by homolytic fission of the C-S bond of the canonical ion (barrier 16.5 kcal mol(-1)) and of the structure at the global minimum, a captodative ion (barrier 17.2 kcal mol(-1)). Peptide radical cations (GlyCys')(2)(*+), (GlyCys'Gly)(2)(*+), (GlyGlyCys')(2)(*+) and (GlyCys'(Cys')Gly)(*+) were observed in low abundances; the first two of these ions dissociated predominantly by fragmentation of the S-S bond, while the other two preferentially cleaved at an amide bond. No cleavage of the C-S bond was observed for the peptide radical cations. Density functional calculations at B3LYP/6-31G(d) established that the cystine in [Cu(II)(tacn)(Cys')(2)](*2+) is bound as a zwitterion through the carboxylate anion with the proton on the distal amino group. The lowest energy complex containing a canonical cystine, coordinated through the carbonyl oxygen and the amino group of the same Cys', is 8.3 kcal mol(-1) higher in enthalpy.

A New Ligation Strategy for Peptide and Protein Glycosylation: Photoinduced Thiol–Ene Coupling

Photoclick with proteins: Two cysteine containing peptides and the natural protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) were glycosylated (see scheme) by an alkenyl glycoside upon irradiation with visible light in the presence of a sensitizer (click thiol–ene coupling). The hyperglycosylation of BSA involved the cysteine free SH and two SH groups derived from selective photocleavage of a cystine residue.

Mass spectrometric analysis of peptides from an immobilized lipase: focus on oxidative modifications

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) was used to study the primary structure of immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozym(R)435) without detaching the enzyme from the carrier. The immobilized enzyme packed in a miniature column was subjected to proteolysis and the peptides released were injected into the mass spectrometer for analysis. The set-up was utilized to determine amino acid oxidation after treatment of the biocatalyst with hydrogen peroxide. In total, sequence coverage of more than 90% was obtained, containing almost all of the amino acids sensitive to oxidation. Oxidation of methionine, tryptophan and cystine residues was observed. The flow system also allowed evaluation of the enzyme activity prior to peptide analysis. The developed method is general and should be applicable to other immobilized enzyme systems and to different treatments.

Morphological Studies on Assembling Behavior of Oligopeptides Obtained by Dissolution of Feather Keratin with Alkali

The self-assembling behavior for the oligopeptides obtained from the dissolution of feather keratins via the alkaline hydrolysis process was investigated. The entities generated from the aqueous solution of oligopeptides showed a dendrite-like and non-birefringent structure. To enhance the molecular orientation for the oligopeptides in the assembling process, the electrospinning was applied. The as-spun fibers showed birefringent structure. However, no crystal diffraction was recognized in the selected-area electron diffraction analysis. To modify the crystallizing property of the oligopeptides, the superheated water treatment was conducted and the cystine and/or cysteine residues were completely destroyed. Then the entities from the aqueous solution of the treated oligopeptides became crystalline. However the crystal growth stopped up to its diameter of ∼40 μm.