A structural investigation of coiled coil peptides used as membrane fusogens, mimicing naturally occuring coiled-coil fusion proteins. Synthetic modifications have been made to alter lipid... Show moreA structural investigation of coiled coil peptides used as membrane fusogens, mimicing naturally occuring coiled-coil fusion proteins. Synthetic modifications have been made to alter lipid attachment, secondary structure and to insert photoactive azobenzene moieties for active control over coiled coil structure. Finally, the underlying photocontrol mechanism investigated in coiled coil peptides is extended to beta-structured peptides, and was shown to be universally applicable. Show less
Of the various biomolecular building blocks in use in nature, coiled-coil forming peptides are amongst those with the most potential as building blocks for the synthetic self-assembly of... Show moreOf the various biomolecular building blocks in use in nature, coiled-coil forming peptides are amongst those with the most potential as building blocks for the synthetic self-assembly of nanostructures. Native coiled coils have the ability to function in, and influence, complex systems composed of multiple building blocks. However, there have only been a limited number of synthetic coiled-coil assemblies that mimic native coiled coils by incorporating multiple assembling components. This thesis represents efforts at extending this aspect of coiled-coil self-assembly. In order to achieve this, a range of hybrid molecules were synthesized which combine coiled-coil peptides with a hydrophobic component. In this way the highly specific coiled-coil self-assembly is juxtaposed with the non-specific, but structure-inducing aggregation of the hydrophobic section. This thesis asked simple questions: can coiled coils function when covalently attached to large hydrophobic blocks? How large can the hydrophobic blocks be? Can coiled coils function when incorporated noncovalently with a supramolecular assembly? By answering these fundamental questions the possibilities of prescriptive self-assembly have been probed and expanded, novel preparative methods have been developed, and specific applications have arisen. Show less
