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

Abstract The self‐assembling behavior, at physiological pH, of the amphiphile peptide (C18) 2 L5CCK8 in nanostructures is reported. Stable aggregates presenting a critical micellar concentration of 2 × 10 −6 mol kg −1 , and characterized by water exposed CCK8 peptide in β‐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. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 88: 115–121, 2007. This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com