Self-assembly of a dipeptide-containing conformationally restricted dehydrophenylalanine residue to form ordered nanotubes

The self-assembly of a dehydrophenylalanine containing dipeptide (see figure), yielding highly ordered nanotubular structures, is discussed. The tubes are longer and thinner than previously reported peptide-based tubular structures; they are stable to boiling-water temperatures, different pH conditions, and to a highly nonspecific protease (Proteinase K).