Self-assembling nanowires from a linear L,D-peptide conjugated to the dextran end group

Preparation and characterization of a block-like L,D-octapeptide-dextran conjugate DEX29-(L-Val-D-Val)4 self-assembling into nanowire structures is reported. The conjugate was prepared by solid phase click-chemistry on an alkyne group N-terminus functionalized peptide with a regularly alternating enantiomeric sequence. Low molecular weight dextran (Xn = 29) with moderately low dispersity (1.30) was prepared by controlled acid hydrolysis and dialysis with selected cut-off and functionalized with an azido group on the reducing end by reductive amination. The strong hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions of the (L-Val-D-Val)4 linear peptide drive the conjugate to self-assemble into long (0.1–1 μm) nanowires. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a peptide-polysaccharide conjugate that can self-assemble into a nanowire architecture.