Transition Metal Ion–Mediated Tyrosine‐Based Short‐Peptide Amphiphile Nanostructures Inhibit Bacterial Growth

We report the design and synthesis of a biocompatible small‐peptide‐based compound for the controlled and targeted delivery of encapsulated bioactive metal ions through transformation of the internal nanostructures of its complexes. A tyrosine‐based short‐peptide amphiphile (sPA) was synthesized and observed to self‐assemble into β‐sheet‐like secondary structures. The self‐assembly of the designed sPA was modulated by application of different bioactive transition‐metal ions, as was confirmed by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. These bioactive metal‐ion‐conjugated sPA hybrid structures were further used to develop antibacterial materials. As a result of the excellent antibacterial activity of zinc ions the growth of clinically relevant bacteria such as Escherichia coli was inhibited in the presence of zinc ? sPA conjugate. Bacterial testing demonstrated that, due to high biocompatibility with bacterial cells, the designed sPA acted as a metal ion delivery agent and might therefore show great potential in locally addressing bacterial infections.