Department of Molecular Chemistry & Biochemistry, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610‐0321, Japan
Abstract:
The preparation of a novel peptide/dendrimer hybrid is reported in which an elastin‐like oligopeptide is successfully assembled onto a poly(amidoamine) dendrimer surface (G4‐ELP), and its unique thermo‐responsive behavior is discussed. As a result, the G4‐ELP is found to exhibit LCST behavior in the pH range 3–10 including physiological temperature range under neutral‐pH conditions. Moreover, cooperative interplay between the folding state of the ELP shell and the ionization state of the dendrimer core enables the G4‐ELP to control its LCST widely by pH variation. This achievement provides a new insight for the design of dual‐responsive materials with a potential in biological applications.
