Self-assembling soft structures for intracellular NO release and promotion of neurite outgrowth. Issue 9 (5th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pal, Hilal Ahmad; Mohapatra, Saswat; Gupta, Varsha; Ghosh, Surajit; Verma, Sandeep
• Is Part Of: Chemical science. Volume 8:Issue 9(2017)
• Page Start: 6171
• Page End: 6175
• Publication Date: 2017-07-05
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6sc05017d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6520

Abstract

Abstract : A tryptophan-based peptide conjugate with a NO-release arm was designed, which self-assembles in solution to afford soft spherical structures. This conjugate releases NO in a controlled fashion in Neuro2a cell line, resulting in neurite outgrowth. Abstract : Nitric oxide (NO), an endogenously produced free radical species, is an extremely important signalling molecule in several biochemical processes related to neurotransmission, neuronal communication, and vasodilation, to name a few. Other than relying on endogenous synthesis, intracellular NO delivery presents an interesting challenge to fully exploit the therapeutic potential of this gaseous molecule. We have applied a self-assembling peptide conjugate strategy to devise a construct carrying a NO-release arm, which can be activated under standard redox conditions. Consequently, a tryptophan-based peptide carrier was designed, which self-assembled in the solution phase to afford soft nanospherical structures, and released NO in Neuro2a cell line, resulting in neurite outgrowth.