Self-Assembling l-d-l -Tripeptides Dance the Twist

Cringoli M. C.;Bellotto O.;De Zorzi R.;Vargiu A. V.

;Marchesan S.

2020-01-01

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Abstract

Minimalistic peptides composed of d - and l -amino acids are attractive building blocks for functional supramolecular materials, including catalysts. d -Amino acids have long been known to promote turn conformations in peptides, yet unexpected twists continue to emerge on their effects on self-assembly. The combination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction and full-atom molecular dynamics have finally unraveled fine details of how l-d-l -tripeptides visit different conformations in solution and establish key interactions in supramolecular structures.