NGIWY-Amide: A Bioinspired Ultrashort Self-Assembled Peptide Gelator for Local Drug Delivery Applications

Abstract

Fibrillar structures derived from plant or animal origin have long been a source of inspiration for the design of new biomaterials. The Asn-Gly-Ile-Trp-Tyr-NH2 (NGIWY-amide) pentapeptide, isolated from the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, which spontaneously self-assembles in water to form hydrogel, pertains to this category. In this study, we evaluated this ultra-short cosmetic bioinspired peptide as vector for local drug delivery applications. Combining nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and rheological studies, the synthesized pentapeptide formed a stiff hydrogel with a high β-sheet content. Molecular dynamic simulations aligned well with scanning electron and atomic-force microscopy studies, revealing a highly filamentous structure with the fibers adopting a helical-twisted morphology. Model dye localization within the supramolecular hydrogel provided insights on the preferential distribution of hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds in the hydrogel network. That was further depicted in the diffusion kinetics of drugs differing in their aqueous solubility and molecular weight, namely, doxorubicin hydrochloride, curcumin, and octreotide acetate, highlighting its versatility as a delivery vector of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds of different molecular weight. Along with the observed cytocompatibility of the hydrogel, the NGIWY-amide pentapeptide may offer new approaches for cell growth, drug delivery, and 3D bioprinting tissue-engineering applications.

Self-Assembled Food Peptides: Recent Advances and Perspectives in Food and Health Applications

“…2 For example, pentapeptide, NGIWY-amide, obtained from sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus), showed gelation kinetics with G′ 10-fold higher than G′′, indicating the formation of stable and firm hydrogel networks. 18 Furthermore, the self-assembled peptides were biocompatible, having no antagonistic effects on cell growth and proliferation, making this a promising candidate for cell growth, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering applications. 18 Other rheological parameters, such as flow index (n) and consistency (K) can be taken into consideration when describing self-assembled peptides and their applications.…”

“…18 Furthermore, the self-assembled peptides were biocompatible, having no antagonistic effects on cell growth and proliferation, making this a promising candidate for cell growth, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering applications. 18 Other rheological parameters, such as flow index (n) and consistency (K) can be taken into consideration when describing self-assembled peptides and their applications. Recently, six peptides, IFYCPIAIM, NIFYCPIAIM, VLVNAI-VFKGL, YCPIAIMSA, MMYQIGLF, and VYSFSLASRL, from egg white protein hydrolysate were reported to have varying biomechanical properties, likely due to their different amino acid composition and physicochemical properties.…”

“…If G ′ > G ′′ (tan δ < 1), the sample is described as an elastic solid, whereas G ′ < G ′′ (tan δ > 1) results in a viscous liquid . For example, pentapeptide, NGIWY-amide, obtained from sea cucumber ( Apostichopus japonicus ), showed gelation kinetics with G ′ 10-fold higher than G ′′, indicating the formation of stable and firm hydrogel networks . Furthermore, the self-assembled peptides were biocompatible, having no antagonistic effects on cell growth and proliferation, making this a promising candidate for cell growth, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering applications …”

Recent advances in sea cucumber peptide: Production, bioactive properties, and prospects

“…Apart from its bioactive functions, SCP may also be used as a delivery vehicle for other bioactive compounds or drugs. The pentapeptide Asn‐Gly‐Ile‐Trp‐Tyr (NGIWY)‐amide from sea cucumber can self‐assemble in water spontaneously, form a firm hydrogel with good biocompatibility, and release both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drug molecules in a controlled manner (Theodoroula et al., 2022). The synergetic effects of SCP and other bioactive compounds are worth further investigation in the future.…”