Human neuropeptide substance P self-assembles into semi-flexible nanotubes that can be manipulated for nanotechnology

Nanoscale. 2020 Nov 19;12(44):22680-22687. doi: 10.1039/d0nr05622g.

Abstract

Substance P neuropeptide is here reported to self-assemble into well-defined semi-flexible nanotubes. Using a blend of synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering, atomic force microscopy and other biophysical techniques, the natural peptide is shown to self-assemble into monodisperse 6 nm wide nanotubes, which can closely associate into nano-arrays with nematic properties. Using simple protocols, the nanotubes could be precipitated or mineralised while conserving their dimensions and core-shell morphology. Our discovery expands the small number of available monodisperse peptide nanotube systems for nanotechnology, beyond direct relevance to biologically functional peptide nanostructures since the substance P nanotubes are fundamentally different from typical amyloid fibrils.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Nanostructures*
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nanotubes*
  • Substance P

Substances

  • Substance P