Parallel and antiparallel cyclic d/l peptide nanotubes

Abstract

Nanotubes made from H-bonded cyclic D/L peptide (CP) subunits have great potential for the construction of nanomaterials of wide chemical and structural diversity but, to date, difficulties in structural characterisation have restricted development of these materials. We present the first crystal structures of continuous CP nanotubes with antiparallel and parallel stacking arrangements, assembled separately from two peptides; cyclo[(Asp-D-Leu-Lys-D-Leu)₂] and cyclo[(Asp-D-Ala-Lys-D-Ala)₂].