Biomaterial Database

Synthesis and surface activity properties of hydrophobic/hydrophilic peptides. 1994

M R Infante, and V Moses

Institute of Chemical Technology and Textiles (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.

In order to explore the ability of amphiphilic peptides to behave as surface-active agents with emulsifying properties, several short peptides of leucine and glutamine were synthesized with different periodicity, length and hydrophobic characteristics. The stepwise liquid-phase procedure using the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester was deployed in all chain-lengthening steps, and the same procedure was also used subsequently to modify some of the products by introducing a lipophilic moiety such as a palmitoyl residue. The surface-active properties of these products were evaluated by measuring the variation of surface (gamma s) and interfacial (gamma i) tensions and the formation of micelles as a function of concentration in aqueous solution. The alternating sequence (Leu-Gln)n showed good surface activity behaviour, similar to those of recognized surfactants, albeit with no emulsifying function. More hydrophobic compounds, such as lipopeptides, lowered the surface tension of water at concentrations markedly below those usually observed for classical surfactants, and emulsifying properties were observed in all the peptides substituted with lipophilic moieties.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007930	Leucine	An essential branched-chain amino acid important for hemoglobin formation.	L-Leucine,Leucine, L-Isomer,L-Isomer Leucine,Leucine, L Isomer
D008969	Molecular Sequence Data	Descriptions of specific amino acid, carbohydrate, or nucleotide sequences which have appeared in the published literature and/or are deposited in and maintained by databanks such as GENBANK, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), National Biomedical Research Foundation (NBRF), or other sequence repositories.	Sequence Data, Molecular,Molecular Sequencing Data,Data, Molecular Sequence,Data, Molecular Sequencing,Sequencing Data, Molecular
D008970	Molecular Weight	The sum of the weight of all the atoms in a molecule.	Molecular Weights,Weight, Molecular,Weights, Molecular
D009842	Oligopeptides	Peptides composed of between two and twelve amino acids.	Oligopeptide
D002627	Chemistry, Physical	The study of CHEMICAL PHENOMENA and processes in terms of the underlying PHYSICAL PHENOMENA and processes.	Physical Chemistry,Chemistries, Physical,Physical Chemistries
D005079	Excipients	Usually inert substances added to a prescription in order to provide suitable consistency to the dosage form. These include binders, matrix, base or diluent in pills, tablets, creams, salves, etc.	Excipient,Stabilizing Agent,Stabilizing Agents,Suspending Agent,Suspending Agents,Agent, Stabilizing,Agent, Suspending,Agents, Stabilizing,Agents, Suspending
D005973	Glutamine	A non-essential amino acid present abundantly throughout the body and is involved in many metabolic processes. It is synthesized from GLUTAMIC ACID and AMMONIA. It is the principal carrier of NITROGEN in the body and is an important energy source for many cells.	D-Glutamine,L-Glutamine,D Glutamine,L Glutamine
D000327	Adsorption	The adhesion of gases, liquids, or dissolved solids onto a surface. It includes adsorptive phenomena of bacteria and viruses onto surfaces as well. ABSORPTION into the substance may follow but not necessarily.	Adsorptions
D000595	Amino Acid Sequence	The order of amino acids as they occur in a polypeptide chain. This is referred to as the primary structure of proteins. It is of fundamental importance in determining PROTEIN CONFORMATION.	Protein Structure, Primary,Amino Acid Sequences,Sequence, Amino Acid,Sequences, Amino Acid,Primary Protein Structure,Primary Protein Structures,Protein Structures, Primary,Structure, Primary Protein,Structures, Primary Protein
D013499	Surface Properties	Characteristics or attributes of the outer boundaries of objects, including molecules.	Properties, Surface,Property, Surface,Surface Property