Photosensitive Peptidomimetic for Light-Controlled, Reversible DNA Compaction.

Light-induced DNA compaction as part of nonviral gene delivery was investigated intensively in the past years, although the bridging between the artificial light switchable compacting agents and biocompatible light insensitive compacting agents was not achieved until now. In this paper, we report on light-induced compaction and decompaction of DNA molecules in the presence of a new type of agent, a multivalent cationic peptidomimetic molecule containing a photosensitive Azo-group as a branch (Azo-PM). Azo-PM is synthesized using a solid-phase procedure during which an azobenzene unit is attached as a side chain to an oligo(amidoamine) backbone.

Exploiting Oligo(amido amine) Backbones for the Multivalent Presentation of Coiled-Coil Peptides.

The investigation of coiled coil formation for one mono- and two divalent peptide-polymer conjugates is presented. Through the assembly of the full conjugates on solid support, monodisperse sequence-defined conjugates are obtained with defined positions and distances between the peptide side chains along the polymeric backbone. A heteromeric peptide design was chosen, where peptide K is attached to the polymer backbone, and coiled-coil formation is only expected through complexation with the complementary peptide E.