Bio-inspired amyloid polypeptides: From self-assembly to nanostructure design and biotechnological applications

Abstract The aggregation of amyloid polypeptide plays a crucial role in inducing various chronic diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases and type II diabetes. Up to date, amyloid polypeptide-based nanostructures have been extensively investigated for various biotechnological applications while exploiting the pathogenic mechanism of amyloid polypeptide-related diseases. Despite extensive and significant progress having been made, the fundamental understanding and the strategies to organize amyloid polypeptide nanomaterials remain elusive. Herein, the blooming developments of bio-inspired self-assembled amyloid polypeptide nanostructures on synthesis, properties and applications are mainly introduced. We begin with an emphasis of the importance of thermodynamic and kinetic factors on the self-assembly. Second, the cutting-edge advances and challenges for engineering of amyloid peptide-based nanomaterials on multiple dimensions are summarized. Finally, the comprehensive applications in biosensing, bioimaging, drug/gene delivery, cellular scaffolds and air pollution governance of amyloid polypeptide-based nanomaterials are presented. Through summarizing these aspects of amyloid polypeptides, this review is expected to motivate researchers to devote more efforts to investigating of novel architectures and translating the artificial designs for intriguing applications.