Surface-generated copper ions induce multilayer growth of small peptides

Jessem Landoulsi (1) , Vincent Dupres (2) , Christophe Méthivier (1) , Ivan Leteyi Mfiban (1) , Pauline Cornette (1) , Elodie Colaço (1) , Claire-Marie Pradier (1)

1 LRS - Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surface
2 CMPI - Cellular Microbiology and Physics of Infection Group [Lille]

Herein, we investigate the adsorption behavior of a small peptide, Glu-Cys-Gly, in aqueous solution onto copper surface and unravel a mechanism of growth of a hybrid peptide-copper multilayer the thickness of which may exceed a hundred of nanometers. Thanks to a combined set of surface characterizations supported by theoretical considerations, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the driving force and parameters influencing multilayer growth. (i) The generation of Cu+ ions due to the dissolution of copper surface, modulated by pH, results in the formation of cuprous-thiolate complex made of two peptide molecules anchoring one Cu+ cation. (ii) The stability of this hybrid multilayers is ensured by intermolecular interactions between peptide-copper entities mainly through a combination of electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonds which stabilize the supramolecular edifice.

Domaines: Physique [physics]

Jessem Landoulsi, Vincent Dupres, Christophe Méthivier, Ivan Leteyi Mfiban, Pauline Cornette, et al.. Surface-generated copper ions induce multilayer growth of small peptides. Applied Surface Science, 2020, 507, pp.145105. ⟨10.1016/j.apsusc.2019.145105⟩. ⟨hal-03489696⟩