Self-assembling peptide incorporating modifications and methods of use thereof

摘要

The invention provides a self-assembling peptide comprising (a) a first amino acid domain that mediates self-assembly, wherein the domain comprises alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids that are complementary and structurally compatible and self-assemble into a macroscopic structure when present in unmodified form; and (b) a second amino acid domain that does not self-assemble in isolated form. In certain embodiments of the invention the second amino acid domain comprises a biologically active peptide motif, e.g., a peptide motif found in a naturally occurring protein, or a target site for an interaction with a biomolecule. In certain embodiments of the invention the naturally occurring protein is a component of the extracellular matrix, e.g., a component of the basement membrane. The invention further provides scaffolds comprising the self-assembling peptides and methods of using the scaffolds including for cell culture, tissue engineering, and tissue repair.

主权项

1. A self-assembling peptide comprising:
(a) a first amino acid domain that mediates self-assembly, wherein the domain comprises a sequence of alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids that are complementary and structurally compatible, and that self-assemble into a macroscopic structure when present in unmodified form, which sequence is selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 16, and SEQ ID NO: 18; and b) a second amino acid domain that does not self-assemble in isolated form, wherein the first and second amino acid domains are joined by a single peptide bond; wherein the peptide self-assembles when present as the only peptide in a solution; and wherein the total number of amino acids comprising the self-assembling peptide is less than 36 amino acids.