Bioinspired
nanochannels have emerged as a powerful tool for bioengineering
and biomedical research due to their robust mechanical and controllable
chemical properties. Inspired by inward-rectifier potassium (K+) channels, herein, the charged peptide assembly has been
introduced into a nano-confined space for the modulation of ion current
rectification (ICR). Peptide-responsive reaction-triggered sequence
changes can contribute to polarity conversion of the surface charge;
therefore, ICR reversal (ICRR) is generated. Compared with other responsive
elements, natural charged peptides show the merit of controllable
charge polarity. By electrochemically monitoring the ICRR as an output
signal, one can utilize the peptide assembly-mediated ICRR to construct
an ionic sensory platform. In addition, a logic gate has been established
to demonstrate the availability of an ionic sensory platform for inhibitor
screening. As peptide nanoassemblies may also have various structures
and functions due to their diverse properties, the ionic modulation
system can provide alternatives for the assay of peptide-associated
biotargets with biomedical applications.
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