Nanostructures by self-assembling peptide amphiphile as potential selective drug carriers

The self-assembling behaviour, at physiological pH, of the amphiphile peptide (C18)(2)L5CCK8 in nanostructures is reported. Stable aggregates presenting a critical micellar concentration of 2 X 10(-6) mol kg(-1), and characterized by water exposed CCK8 peptide in P-sheet conformation, are obtained. Small angle neutron scattering experiments are indicative for a 3D structure with dimensions >= 100 nm. AFM images confirm the presence of nanostructures. Fluorescence experiments indicating the sequestration of pyrene, chosen as drug model, and the anticancer Doxorubicin within the nanostructures are reported. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 88: 115-121, 2007.