Peptides Organized as Bilayer Membranes

Abstract

A buried polar bilayer interface composed of interdigitated peptide ends and a high density of CF3COO− counterions passifying lysine amines are identified in nanotubes obtained by self-assembly of short peptides. The structure reveals distinct characteristics that differentiate peptide bilayers and lipid bilayers that can now be exploited for the construction of lipid-like nanomaterials with protein functionality.