Herein, we describe enzyme-directed assembly of fluorogenic micellar nanoparticles generating amplified detectable signals unique to the particles. These micelles are assembled from peptide-polymer amphiphiles (PPAs) labeled with combinations of FRET pairs. This is achieved by labeling otherwise similar block copolymer amphiphiles with each of the dyes. When mixed together, signals from the FRET-pairs can be utilized to detect particle assembly and hence enzymatic activity. Furthermore, we show FRET signals within the shell of the assembled micelles can be used to measure particle stability (critical aggregation concentration) and enable a determination of intraparticle distances between amphiphiles in the micellar aggregates leading to elucidation of the packing arrangement of amphiphilic copolymers within the micelles.

Peptide-polymer amphiphiles in the assembly of enzyme-responsive micellar nanoparticles

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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