Issue 34, 2024

A broad-spectrum antibacterial hydrogel based on the synergistic action of Fmoc–phenylalanine and Fmoc–lysine in a co-assembled state

Abstract

Multicomponent biomolecular self-assembly is fundamental for accomplishing complex functionalities of biosystems. Self-assembling peptides, amino acids, and their conjugates serve as a versatile platform for developing biomaterials. However, the co-assembly of multiple building blocks showing synergistic interplay between individual components and producing biomaterials with emergent functional attributes is much less explored. In this study, we have formulated minimalistic co-assembled hydrogels composed of Fmoc–phenylalanine and Fmoc–lysine. The co-assembled systems display broad-spectrum antimicrobial potency, a feature absent in individual building blocks. A comprehensive biophysical analysis demonstrates the physicochemical features of the hydrogels eliciting the antibacterial response. MD simulation further reveals a unique fibrillar architecture with Fmoc–phenylalanine forming the fibril core surrounded by positively charged Fmoc–lysine surface residues, thereby enhancing the interaction with negatively charged bacterial membranes, causing membrane disruption and cell death. Thus, this study provides molecular-level insight into the emergent properties of a multicomponent system, affording an excellent paradigm for developing novel biomaterials.

Graphical abstract: A broad-spectrum antibacterial hydrogel based on the synergistic action of Fmoc–phenylalanine and Fmoc–lysine in a co-assembled state

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
02 May 2024
Accepted
23 Jul 2024
First published
25 Jul 2024

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2024,12, 8444-8453

A broad-spectrum antibacterial hydrogel based on the synergistic action of Fmoc–phenylalanine and Fmoc–lysine in a co-assembled state

B. Das Gupta, A. Halder, T. Vijayakanth, N. Ghosh, R. Konar, O. Mukherjee, E. Gazit and S. Mondal, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2024, 12, 8444 DOI: 10.1039/D4TB00948G

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements