Electron transfer across α-helical peptides: Potential influence of molecular dynamics

Three hydrophobic leucine-rich peptides Fc18L, Ac18L and 18LAc were prepared. These peptides are equipped with a cystein sulfhydryl group which enables the formation of thin films on gold surfaces. Using these peptides, two types of films of α-helical peptides have been prepared, in which the redox-active peptide Fc18L is diluted by Ac18L (SAM1) or by a mixture of Ac18L and 18LAc (SAM2). In SAM1, the dipole moments of the peptides are aligned in the same direction, whereas in SAM2, they are opposite. Reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) revealed that the peptides are more vertically oriented in SAM2 compared to those in SAM1. The interaction among the macroscopic helix dipoles gives tighter packing of the peptides in SAM2. Importantly, the electron transfer properties in the two films are significantly different, which is rationalized by differences in the molecular dynamics of the two films.