Aggregate structure change induced by intramolecular helix–coil transition

Self-assembly behavior of poly(γ-benzyl l-glutamate)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PBLG-g-PEG) in ethanol medium was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser light scattering (LLS), and circular dichroism (CD). The experimental results revealed that the conformation change of the polypeptide graft copolymer exerts marked effect on its self-association behavior. Spindle-like micelles with polypeptide blocks aligned inside the cores are formed in ethanol solution without denaturant acid. When the denaturant acid is added, the rigid α-helix transforms to random coil, resulting in an aggregate structure change from the spindle-like micelle to large compound micelle. For the large compound micelles, the coiled polypeptide chains and PEG blocks pack randomly within the cores, surrounded by the PEG chains outside to stabilize the aggregates.