Branched peptides for enzymatic supramolecular hydrogelation

Here we show the use of branched peptides ( i.e. , isopeptides) as the substrates of proteases for generating supramolecular hydrogels via enzymatically clipping the branch off the peptides. As the first report of using a protease to cut branched peptides to enable a molecular process for converting nanostructures, this work illustrates a fundamentally new molecular motif for exploring the applications of protease-instructed self-assembly for soft materials. The use of protease ( e.g. , enterokinase) to cut branched peptides generates supramolecular hydrogels, opening a new way to explore soft materials for biomedicine.