Self-assembly of a cyclobutane β-tetrapeptide to form nanosized structures

A beta-tetrapeptide made up of homochiral cyclobutane residues displays conformational bias in solution prompted by the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Moreover, this compound self-assembles to produce nanosized fibrils and, in some media, it also forms a gel. The combination of NMR, TEM, AFM, and theoretical calculations has proven to be very useful in obtaining insight into the details of these new structures.