Foldamers to nanotubes: influence of amino acid side chains in the hierarchical assembly of α,γ(4)-hybrid peptide helices

Supramolecular assembly of various artificially folded 12-helical architectures composed of γ(4) -Val, γ(4) -Leu and γ(4) -Phe residues is investigated. In contrast to the 12-helices composed of γ(4) -Val and γ(4) -Leu residues, the helices with γ(4) -Phe residues displayed unique elongated nanotubular architectures. The elongated nanotube assembly was further explored as a template for biomineralization of silver ions to silver nanowires. A comparative study using an analogous α-peptide helix reveals the importance of the spatial arrangement of aromatic side chains along the helical cylinder in a 12-helix. These results suggested that the proteolytically and structurally stable α,γ(4) -hybrid peptide 12-helices may serve as a new generation of potential templates in the design of functional biomaterials.