Single-molecule mechanics of synthetic aromatic amide helices: Ultrafast and robust non-dissipative winding

Devaux, Floriane; Li, Xuesong; Sluysmans, Damien; Maurizot, Victor; Bakalis, Evangelos; Zerbetto, Francesco; Huc, Ivan und Duwez, Anne-Sophie (2021): Single-molecule mechanics of synthetic aromatic amide helices: Ultrafast and robust non-dissipative winding. In: Chem, Bd. 7, Nr. 5

Abstract

Because of proteins' many degrees of conformational freedom, programming protein folding dynamics, overall elasticity, and motor functions remains an elusive objective. Instead, smaller and simpler objects, such as synthetic foldamers, may be amenable to design. However, little is known about their mechanical performance. Here, we show that reducing molecular size may not compromise mechanical properties. We report that helical aromatic oligoamides as small as 1 nm possess outstanding elasticity and outperform most natural helices. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy, we characterize their folding trajectories and intermediate states. We show that they cooperatively and reversibly unwind at high forces. They extend up to 3.8 times their original length and rewind against considerable forces on a timescale of 10 mu s. Pulling and relaxing cycles follow the same trace up to a very high loading rate, indicating that the mechanical energy accumulated during the stretching does not dissipate and is immediately reusable.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Chemie und Pharmazie > Department für Pharmazie - Zentrum für Pharmaforschung
• Themengebiete: 500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik > 540 Chemie
• ISSN: 2451-9294
• Sprache: Englisch