Peptide-based chemical models for lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases.

Copper(II) complexes of HPH-NH (L1) and HPHPY-NH (L2) peptides have been studied as small molecular models of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases by pH-potentiometry and UV-vis, CD and EPR spectroscopy. The coordination properties of these ligands are fundamentally different from those of other non-protected N-terminal HXH-sequences concerning the metal binding ability of amide nitrogens. The proline units prevent the formation of fused chelates with the participation of amide nitrogens; therefore, instead of ATCUN-type {NH,2N,N} coordination, dimer complexes (CuHL, where = -1, -2, and -3 for L1 and 1, 0, and -1 for L2) are formed in equimolar systems above pH 5.

Membrane Association Modes of Natural Anticancer Peptides: Mechanistic Details on Helicity, Orientation, and Surface Coverage.

Anticancer peptides (ACPs) could potentially offer many advantages over other cancer therapies. ACPs often target cell membranes, where their surface mechanism is coupled to a conformational change into helical structures. However, details on their binding are still unclear, which would be crucial to reach progress in connecting structural aspects to ACP action and to therapeutic developments.

New short cationic antibacterial peptides. Synthesis, biological activity and mechanism of action.

We report a theoretical and experimental study on a new series of small-sized antibacterial peptides. Synthesis and bioassays for these peptides are reported here. In addition, we evaluated different physicochemical parameters that modulate antimicrobial activity (charge, secondary structure, amphipathicity, hydrophobicity and polarity).