Langmuir, Vol.28, No.33, 12209-12215, 2012
Conformation and Self-Association of Peptide Amphiphiles Based on the KTTKS Collagen Sequence
Studying peptide amphiphiles (PAs), we investigate the influence of alkyl chain length on the aggregation behavior of the collagen-derived peptide KTTKS with applications ranging from antiwrinkle cosmetic creams to potential uses in regenerative medicine. We have studied synthetic peptides amphiphiles C-14-KTTKS (myristoyl-Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser) and C-18-KTTKS (stearoyl-Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser) to investigate in detail their physicochemical properties. It is presumed that the hydrophobic chain in these self-assembling peptide amphiphiles enhances peptide permeation across the skin compared to KTTKS alone. Subsequently C-n-KTTKS should act as a prodrug and release the peptide by enzymatic cleavage. Our results should be useful in the further development of molecules with collagen-stimulating activity.