Molecular self-assembly is a widespread natural phenomenon and has inspired several researchers to synthesize a compendium of nano/microstructures with widespread applications. Biomolecules like proteins, peptides and lipids are used as building blocks to fabricate various nanomaterials. Supramolecular peptide self-assembly continue to play a significant role in forming diverse nanostructures with numerous biomedical applications; however, dipeptides offer distinctive supremacy in their ability to self-assemble and produce a variety of nanostructures. Though several reviews have articulated the progress in the field of longer peptides or polymers and their self-assembling behavior, there is a paucity of reviews or literature covering the emerging field of dipeptide-based nanostructures. In this review, our goal is to present the recent advancements in dipeptide-based nanostructures with their potential applications.
<p>We present a reliable method for the fabrication of fluid phase
unsaturated bilayers which are readily self-assembled on charged self-assembled
monolayer (SAM) surfaces producing high coverage floating supported bilayers
where the membrane to surface distance could be controlled with nanometer
precision. Vesicle fusion was used to deposit the bilayers onto anionic SAM coated
surfaces. Upon assembly the bilayer to SAM solution interlayer thickness was
7-10 Å with evidence suggesting that this layer was present due to SAM
hydration repulsion of the bilayer from the surface. This distance could be increased
using low concentrations of salts which caused the interlayer thickness to
enlarge to ~33 Å. Reducing the salt concentration resulted in a return to a
shorter bilayer to surface distance. These accessible and controllable membrane models are well suited to a
range of potential applications in biophysical studies, bio-sensors and
Nano-technology.</p><br>
Asparagine-linked N-glycans on proteins have diverse structures, and their functions vary according to their structures. In recent years, it has become possible to obtain high quantities of N-glycans via isolation and chemical/enzymatic/chemoenzymatic synthesis. This has allowed for progress in the elucidation of N-glycan functions at the molecular level. Interaction analyses with lectins by glycan arrays or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) using various N-glycans have revealed the molecular basis for the recognition of complex structures of N-glycans. Preparation of proteins modified with homogeneous N-glycans revealed the influence of N-glycan modifications on protein functions. Furthermore, N-glycans have potential applications in drug development. This review discusses recent advances in the chemical biology of N-glycans.
Chirality in two-dimensions (2D) has attracted increasing attention with regard to interesting fundamental aspects as well as potential applications. This article reports several aspects of supramolecular chirality control as exemplified...
Self-assembled nanomaterials (SANs) donate with designable biofunctions owing to their tunable nanostructures and modifiable surface. Various constituent units and multi-dimensional structures of SANs provide unlimited possibilities for numerous applications. This...
Recent Advances in the Chemical Biology of N-Glycans