Intrinsically fluorescent polyureas toward conformation-assisted metamorphosis, discoloration and intracellular drug delivery

Yeqiang Zhou, Fan Fan, Jinling Zhao, Zhaoding Wang, Rui Wang, Yi Zheng, Hang Liu, Chuan Peng, Jianshu Li, Hong Tan, Qiang Fu and Mingming Ding ()
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Yeqiang Zhou: Sichuan University
Fan Fan: Sichuan University
Jinling Zhao: Sichuan University
Zhaoding Wang: Sichuan University
Rui Wang: Sichuan University
Yi Zheng: Sichuan University
Hang Liu: Sichuan University
Chuan Peng: Sichuan University
Jianshu Li: Sichuan University
Hong Tan: Sichuan University
Qiang Fu: Sichuan University
Mingming Ding: Sichuan University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Peptidomimetic polymers have attracted increasing interest because of the advantages of facile synthesis, high molecular tunability, resistance to degradation, and low immunogenicity. However, the presence of non-native linkages compromises their ability to form higher ordered structures and protein-inspired functions. Here we report a class of amino acid-constructed polyureas with molecular weight- and solvent-dependent helical and sheet-like conformations as well as green fluorescent protein-mimic autofluorescence with aggregation-induced emission characteristics. The copolymers self-assemble into vesicles and nanotubes and exhibit H-bonding-mediated metamorphosis and discoloration behaviors. We show that these polymeric vehicles with ultrahigh stability, superfast responsivity and conformation-assisted cell internalization efficiency could act as an “on-off” switchable nanocarrier for specific intracellular drug delivery and effective cancer theranosis in vitro and in vivo. This work provides insights into the folding and hierarchical assembly of biomacromolecules, and a new generation of bioresponsive polymers and nonconventional luminescent aliphatic materials for diverse applications.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32053-1

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