On Spontaneously Pulsating Proline-Phenylalanine Peptide Microfibers

Earlier, we have collected an experimental evidence showing that low molecular weight chiral carboxylic acids (amino acids included) can spontaneously undergo an oscillatory chiral conversion and an oscillatory condensation in abiotic aqueous and non-aqueous liquid systems, stored for certain amount of time under mild external conditions. These earlier findings are summarized in the introductory part of this study. In the second part, a preliminary report is given on spontaneous pulsation of peptide microfibers in the aged proline–phenylalanine (Pro–Phe) solution in 70% aqueous acetonitrile. The experimental evidence originates from a number of advanced analytical techniques. In view of our earlier and present findings, a presumption is made that the mechanism of spontaneous pulsation (formation and decay) of Pro-Phe microfibers is directly related to the oscillatory chiral conversion and oscillatory peptidization. The entity of the discussed results pointing out to spontaneous and uncontrolled instability of peptide structures might be a bad prognostic for employing such structures in nanobiotechnology.