Multi-Responsive Peptide-Based Ultrathin Nanosheets Prepared by a Horizontal Monolayer Assembly

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Peptide self-assembly is a key strategy for creating advanced nanomaterials.
• Controlling the precise arrangement of molecules during self-assembly remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop peptide-based self-assembled nanosheets with controlled thickness.
• To investigate the self-assembly mechanism and explore nanostructure modulation.
• To evaluate the potential of these nanosheets in biological applications, specifically cancer cell inhibition.

Main Methods:

• Hierarchical covalent-physical fabrication strategy.
• Covalent alternating polymerization of helical peptide E3 with azobenzene (AZO) structure to form copolymers CoP(E3-AZO).
• Molecular dynamics simulations to understand self-assembly drivers.
• Modulation of self-assembly using phototreatment, pH, additives, and cosolvents.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared ultrathin nanosheets (approx. 1 nm thickness) with a rare 2D horizontal monolayer arrangement.
• Demonstrated that molecular interactions synergistically drive self-assembly into nanosheets.
• Showcased diverse nanostructures achievable through external stimuli.
• Observed selective inhibition of cancer cells by the nanosheets at specific concentrations.

Conclusions:

• The study presents a novel method for fabricating ultrathin peptide-based nanosheets with unique monolayer arrangements.
• Molecular dynamics simulations provide insights into the self-assembly process and its modulation.
• The developed nanosheets show promise for targeted cancer therapy due to their selective cell inhibition properties.