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A chemical tag enhances peptide detection by multiple orders in mass spectrometry. The substantial improvement in the peptide mapping along with simplified and enhanced fragmentation pattern enables the unambiguous sequencing of a protein and antibody. The chemoselective sensitivity booster provides a tool for remarkably improved analysis of protein bioconjugates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A core–shell nanostructure is fabricated with a pH-sensitive metal–organic framework shell and a peptide functionalized gold nanoparticle core via a mild synthetic route. The nanostructure can be applied as a dual-recognition switch in response to an acidic environment and enzyme activity, sequentially, leading to a stepwise-responsive strategy for imaging lysosomal cathepsin B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed two functionalized β-sheet peptides (FBPs) and demonstrated that they can stabilize a variety of integral membrane proteins (IMPs), and most importantly allow covalent crosslinking of the IMPs onto solid supports via the highly selective click chemistry. The FBPs are promising tools for the preparation of IMP-based biomaterials or biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neuronal protein α-synuclein (αS) plays a key role in Parkinson's disease, forming inclusions termed Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. Recent improvements in cryo-electron diffraction and solid state NMR (ssNMR) have led to the elucidation of the structures of peptides derived from the αS fibril core and full-length human αS in fibrils. Despite the valuable insight offered by these methods, there are still several questions about the structures’ relevance to pathological aggregates. Herein, we present fluorescence data collected in vitro under the conditions which fibrils are typically assembled. Our data suggest that, in solution, fibrils are largely structured as observed by ssNMR. However, we observe significant disparities in the αS N-terminus as compared to ssNMR data, which provide insight on its important role in αS aggregation and fibril structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proton double quantum–carbon single quantum correlation experiment has been applied to designed peptides in the solid state in natural isotopic abundance. Analogous to nOe studies in solution, through-space double-quantum connectivities have been exploited to obtain the cis–trans conformational polymorphism of diproline residues occurring at β-turns in the peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By combining KLVFF peptide and self-assembly chaperone we fabricate a new system to achieve the synchronization between Aβ fibril disaggregation and reducing toxicity of Aβ fragments (monomers or oligomers) that consequently formed. When the KLVFF peptides disaggregate fibrils into fragments, the hydrophobic domains of self-assembly chaperones promptly bind them at the same time. This binding blocks the re-aggregation of the fragments and their interaction with cells, and hence reduces the toxicity of these dangerous fragments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information of the author's membership and subscriptions and discusses topics featured in the journal including chemical reactions, solid phase peptide synthesis and novel time temperature on gas-diffusion.

The development of hydrogels that are responsive to external stimuli in a well-controlled manner is important for numerous biomedical applications. Herein we reported the first example of a hydrogel responsive to hydrogen sulphide (H2S). H2S is an important gasotransmitter whose deregulation has been associated with a number of pathological conditions. Our hydrogel design is based on the functionalization of an ultrashort hydrogelating peptide sequence with an azidobenzyl moiety, which was reported to react with H2S selectively under physiological conditions. The resulting peptide was able to produce hydrogels at a concentration as low as 0.1 wt%. It could then be fully degraded in the presence of excess H2S. We envision that the novel hydrogel developed in this study may provide useful tools for biomedical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) of different lengths was genetically incorporated into the backbone of a polypeptide using stop-anticodon and frameshift anticodon-containing tRNAs, which were acylated with PEG-containing amino acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptides and dendrons are enticing building blocks from which to construct hybrid macromolecules because each can be prepared as monodisperse and sequence defined materials. Folding and assembly properties designed into the amino acid sequence of a peptide–dendron hybrid manifest in the formation of a dendronized bundle of α-helices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aromatic peptide amphiphile was designed for delivery of the signaling gas H2S. The peptide self-assembled in water into nanofibers that gelled upon charge screening. The non-toxic gel slowly released H2S over 15 hours, and the presence of H2S in endothelial cells was verified using a fluorescent H2S probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel magnetic cellulose-TiO2 nanocomposite microspheres with high surface areas and magnetic susceptibility were fabricated, which exhibited remarkably selective enrichment of trace phos-phopeptides from peptide mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid comprising an autophagy-inducing peptide (AIP) and a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) connected via heterodimeric leucine zippers was generated and delivered into cells. The hybrid successfully induced autophagy without significant cell death, while the same AIP directly connected to a CPP caused both autophagy and significant cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatiotemporal control of peptide nanofibre growth was achieved by photocleavage of a DNA-conjugated β-sheet forming peptide that is linked through a photoresponsive amino acid residue. Peptide nanofibres were selectively formed by photocleaving the conjugate on a complementary DNA-immobilised glass substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a robust enzymatic peptide cleavage-based assay for the ultrasensitive dual-channel detection of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in human serum using gold-quantum dot (Au-QD) core–satellite nanoprobes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we studied the N-triethylene glycol (N-TEG) group as a surrogate for the N-Me group in Sansalvamide A peptide. The five N-TEG and N-Me analogs of this cyclic pentapeptide were synthesized, and their biological activity, lipophilicity and conformational features were compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptides that specifically bind to the simplest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, naphthalene, were obtained by affinity-based screening using a phage-displayed peptide library. The identified peptide with a β-turn structure showed specific binding to naphthalene present not only on substrates but also in aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptide glycosylation with 5-deoxy-5-[18F]fluororibose was translated into preclinical settings. The novel 18F-labeled Siglec-9 peptide was produced using an automated synthesis procedure. The 18F-labeled Siglec-9 peptide showed favorable binding in the animal model of inflammation in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The minimal zinc hook peptide of Rad50 and its alanine mutants form highly stable Zn(ii) complexes. These peptides were successfully used as a small, efficient tag for reversible Zn(ii)-mediated protein homodimerization. The high stability, its biological consequences and potential applications in protein engineering are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]