Towards functional bionanomaterials based on self-assembling cyclic peptide nanotubes

In recent years, considerable effort has been devoted to the preparation of artificial nanotubular materials. One of the most successful approaches for the construction of noncovalently bonded nanotube entities is the self-assembly of cyclic polypeptides in stacks that are stabilized by hydrogen bonds. This tutorial review covers the history and current situation for synthetic organic nanostructures obtained from self-assembling cyclic peptides. In particular, we describe the evolution to cyclic peptides that not only allow the modification of the outer surface but also the inner cavity by paying special attention to peptide rings that contain cyclic gamma-amino acids. In this respect, we describe the synthesis, properties and application of a new class of homo- and heterodimeric supramolecular assemblies that are precursors of cyclic alpha,gamma-peptide nanotubes.