Long-Range Proton Channels Constructed via Hierarchical Peptide Self-Assembly.

ABSTRACT: The quest to understand and mimic proton translocation mechanisms in natural channels has driven the development of peptide-based artificial channels facilitating efficient proton transport across nanometric membranes. It is demonstrated here that hierarchical peptide self-assembly can form micrometers-long proton nanochannels. The fourfold symmetrical peptide design leverages intermolecular aromatic interactions to align self-assembled cyclic peptide nanotubes, creating hydrophilic nanochannels between them. Titratable amino acid sidechains are positioned adjacent to each other within the channels, enabling the formation of hydrogen-bonded chains upon hydration, and facilitating efficient proton transport. Moreover, these chains are enriched with protons and water molecules by interacting

SUBMITTER: Censor S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11636193 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature