Self-assembled heterotrimeric collagen triple helices directed through electrostatic interactions

J Am Chem Soc. 2007 Mar 7;129(9):2683-90. doi: 10.1021/ja0683640. Epub 2007 Feb 13.

Abstract

Collagen, a fibrous protein, is an essential structural component of all connective tissues such as cartilage, bones, ligaments, and skin. Type I collagen, the most abundant form, is a heterotrimer assembled from two identical alpha1 chains and one alpha2 chain. However, most synthetic systems have addressed homotrimeric triple helices. In this paper we examine the stability of several heterotrimeric collagen-like triple helices with an emphasis on electrostatic interactions between peptides. We synthesize seven 30 amino acid peptides with net charges ranging from -10 to +10. These peptides were mixed, and their ability to form heterotrimers was assessed. We successfully show the assembly of five different AAB heterotrimers and one ABC heterotrimer. The results from this study indicate that intermolecular electrostatic interactions can be utilized to direct heterotrimer formation. Furthermore, amino acids with poor stability in collagen triple helices can be "rescued" in heterotrimers containing amino acids with known high triple helical stability. This mechanism allows collagen triple helices to have greater chemical diversity than would otherwise be allowed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acids / chemistry
  • Amino Acids / metabolism
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Collagen / chemistry*
  • Collagen / metabolism*
  • Collagen Type I / chemistry
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Extracellular Space / chemistry
  • Extracellular Space / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Protein Denaturation
  • Protein Structure, Secondary*
  • Static Electricity
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Collagen Type I
  • Peptides
  • Collagen