Structural control of self-assembled nanofibers by artificial beta-sheet peptides composed of D- or L-isomer.

A novel method for the control of peptide self-assembly has been developed by using synthetic triblock-type beta-sheet peptides composed of l- or d-amino acid, 1L and 1D, as building blocks. The peptides 1L and 1D self-assemble into beta-sheet nanofibers with left- and right-handed twists, respectively, under appropriate condition. On the other hand, the 1L/1D binary mixture was found to form only globular aggregates at the same condition. Thus, amyloid-like nanofiber formation and its nanostructure could be successfully regulated by the stereospecificity of the constituent peptide species.