Peptide-Grafted Polymers as Artificial Converter of Cellular Signals

Abstract

and also a member of three research centers in Kyushu University. He also is an adjunct professor of Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan. His current scientific interests are development of molecular systems for medical use including bioimaging, diagnostic, DDS, immune-modulating systems. He is now eager to create new research field tying basic life science and clinical medicine. AbstractIntracellular signal transduction systems consisting of sophisticated molecular networks are essential to provide almost all cellular functions. Any abnormal activation of enzymes included in this network can be directly linked to various disease states. Therefore, cellular function can be altered if we can modulate this signal transduction process. In this context, artificial signal converters, which respond to particular abnormal signaling to activate transgene transcription, are introduced. Such molecular systems use polymer materials grafted with cationic peptides, which are a specific substrate of target protein kinase or protease. This concept which is called D-RECS, DDS in response to cellular signals, could have potential for design of disease cell specific therapeutic or diagnostic (imaging) systems using pathological signaling as a target. Molecular design and structural factors affecting signal response in such systems are discussed.

Self-assembly as a key player for materials nanoarchitectonics

“…Although pairing specificity of recognition may be slightly inferior to DNA, peptides and proteins surely have high capability of self-assembly mainly through hydrogen bonding. Accumulation of hydrogen bonding upon well-designed three-dimensional nanoarchitectures often creates surprisingly precise recognition sites [206][207][208][209]. Peptides and proteins have been widely used as unit structures of self-assembly nanoarchitectonics.…”

Materials Nanoarchitectonics as Cell Regulators

“…For example, Katayama summarized in his recent review article the use of a peptide grafted polymer as artificial converters of cellular signals. [36] Polymer grafted with cationic peptides as substrates of target protease and protein kinase can activate transgene transcription upon particular signals. Yu, Tsai, and co-workers investigated the formation of spheroid from human adipose-derived stem cells on surface coated with nanoarchitected polymers with sulfobetaine methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, and hydroxyethyl methacrylate moieties.…”

Langmuir Nanoarchitectonics from Basic to Frontier

“…By taking account of the above-mentioned characteristics of dynamic interfaces, designing functional structures via architecture including convertng functional biomolecules into integrated functional systems , is an attractive future developments of Langmuir nano­archi­tec­tonics. Such efforts have been carried out through the organization of various biocomponents on the surface and within membranes that can create remarkable functions as seen in self-powered cargo delivery on the surface and the promotion of ATP synthesis on the artificial membrane .…”

“…Dynamic interfaces would be attractive media for developing biorelated functions because the dynamic interfaces can supply several advantageous features including enhanced molecular recognition, anisotropic motion, and finely tunable structural characteristics for advanced biofunctions. By taking account of the above-mentioned characteristics of dynamic interfaces, designing functional structures via architecture including convertng functional biomolecules into integrated functional systems 95,96 is an attractive future developments of Langmuir nanoarchitectonics. Such efforts have been carried out through the organization of various biocomponents on the surface and within membranes that can create remarkable functions as seen in self-powered cargo delivery on the surface 97 and the promotion of ATP synthesis on the artificial membrane.…”