Mechanisms and Principles of 1D Self-Assembly of Peptides into β-Sheet Tapes

Abstract Molecular engineering offers the prospect for precise control of the nano- and microstructure, and functional properties of molecular self-assembling systems. Molecular self-assembly is a ubiquitous phenomenon in nature that has provided inspiration for a wide range of novel nanostructured materials. Bioinspired protein-like self-assembly is one of the most fascinating areas in molecular self-assembly. In order to appreciate the fundamental physical and chemical principles that govern protein-like self-assembly, and thus learn how to exploit it, it is reasonable to start by using simple model peptide systems. Rationally designed peptides that self-assemble in 1D into long β-sheet tapes offer one of the simplest and best understood systems to investigate hierarchical protein-like self-assembly. The purpose of this review is to summarize the scientific advances achieved so far in order to decipher the mechanisms and principles that govern hierarchical β-tape self-assembly, the conclusions of the studies regarding the elucidation of the intrinsic self-assembling properties of the pure β-sheet structure, and the opportunities arising for functional peptide design.