Copper-metalated peptide palindrome derived from prion octarepeat: synthesis, aggregation, and oxidative transformations Original Research Article

We report construction of a bis-pentapeptide conjugate 4 containing truncated pentapeptide sequence from prion octarepeats. Its copper-laden derivative 5 demonstrated a propensity for aggregate formation, which was studied by atomic force microscopy. Oxidative biochemical transformations catalyzed by 5 were evaluated by nucleic acid cleavage and by neurotransmitter oxidation, in the presence of external co-oxidants. Preliminary mechanistic analysis provides a hint for the involvement of reactive oxygen species in such transformations.