Development of Dynamic Bionanostructures Based on Peptides: Molecular Encapsulation Inside Microtubules and Light-induced Propulsion of Microspheres

Abstract

This highlight review summarizes our latest research on the construction of dynamic bionanostructures through peptide design. In the first topic, we developed a peptide binding to the inside of microtubules and used it for the encapsulation of nanomaterials within microtubules, construction of microtubule superstructures, and modulation of intracellular microtubules. In the second topic, we achieved light-induced propulsion of micrometer-sized spheres through the growth of peptide nanofibers. These peptide-based nanoarchitectures with dynamic properties have the potential to aid in the understanding of natural systems, as well as serve as building blocks for the construction of dynamic nanomaterials including active matters and molecular robots. The construction of dynamic bionanostructures was achieved by rational peptide design. Microtubule sturctures were modulated based on the encapsulation of nanomaterials using a Tau-derived peptide. A light-induced pepitde nanofiber growth was employed to generate a propulsion system for micrometer-sized spheres. The creation of these dynamic bionanostructures presents a novel strategy to mimic, control, and surpass natural systems.