Design, Synthesis, and Photo-Responsive Properties of a Collagen Model Peptide Bearing an Azobenzene

Collagen is a vital component of the extracellular matrix in animals. Collagen forms a characteristic triple helical structure and plays a key role in supporting connective tissues and cell adhesion. The ability to control the collagen triple helix structure is useful for medical and conformational studies because the physicochemical properties of the collagen rely on its conformation. Although some photo-controllable collagen model peptides (CMPs) have been reported, satisfactory photo-control has not yet been achieved. To achieve this objective, detailed investigation of the isomerization behavior of the azobenzene moiety in CMPs is required. Herein, two CMPs were attached via an azobenzene linker to control collagen triple helix formation by light irradiation. Azo-(PPG)10 with two (Pro-Pro-Gly)10 CMPs linked via a photo-responsive azobenzene moiety was designed and synthesized. Conformational changes were evaluated by circular dichroism and the cis-to-trans isomerization rate calculated from the absorption of the azobenzene moiety indicated that the collagen triple helix structure was partially disrupted by isomerization of the internal azobenzene.