Stabilization of alpha-helices by the self-assembly of macrocyclic peptides on the surface of gold nanoparticles for molecular recognition

A novel strategy to stabilize the alpha-helical secondary structures of peptides upon binding to gold nanoparticles is described. Using a model protein-protein interaction system, we showed that AuNPs decorated with stabilized p53 alpha-helix peptides can mediate specific molecular recognition with their target protein.