Herein, we describe the inter- and intramolecular interactions between polypeptides and polypeptide-based nanoparticles using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. A nitroxide radical was installed onto homo- and block-polypeptide motifs to probe changes in the local environment via EPR spectroscopy. We utilized 4-amino-TEMPO as an initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) to study the kinetics of homo-polypeptide secondary structure formation. Due to the fidelity of the chain end of the polypeptides, we performed block extensions from the TEMPO functionalized polypeptide with a variety of NCA monomers. The size and shape of the aqueous self-assembled nanoparticles formed from the deprotected block-polypeptides were analyzed via static and dynamic light scattering (LS). Pairing LS and EPR techniques allow us to draw crucial connections between the molecular and macromolecular environment of the self-assembly, where radical mobility and local polarity can provide insight into the hydrophobicity on a nanometer scale. The combination of these techniques allows for the investigation of tailor-made drug delivery vehicles that can used for personalized therapeutic treatments.

Exploring polypeptide secondary structure and local interactions with magnetic resonance

2019 Spring National Meeting

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