Peptide Carriers: A Helicoid-Type Sequential Oligopeptide Carrier (SOCn) for Multiple Anchoring of Antigenic/Immunogenic Peptides

A new peptide carrier with three-dimensional predetermined structural motif has been constructed by the repetitive Lys–Aib–Gly moiety. The sequential oligopeptide carrier (SOCn), (Lys–Aib–Gly)n, adopts a distorted 310-helical conformation and the Lys–NH2 anchoring groups exhibit defined spatial orientations. Conformational analysis of the SOCn conjugates showed that the coupled peptides retain their initial "active" structure, while prevalence of one conformer was also observed. It is concluded that the beneficial structural elements of SOCn induce a favorable arrangement of the conjugated peptides, so that potent antigens and immunogens are generated.