Transmembrane ion transport by self-assembling α,γ-peptide nanotubes

In this study, we describe the self-assembling properties of cyclic peptides containing gamma-amino acids in lipid bilayers to form transmembrane nanotubes. The resulting ion channel models are selective for alkaline ions. Although the transport rates conform to the lyotropic series, these partially hydrophobic channels show an unexpectedly higher rate for sodium ions.