Enzyme-instructed self-assembly of peptide derivatives to form nanofibers and hydrogels.

The review describes the use of enzyme catalysis and self-assembly, two essential and ubiquitous processes in biology, to create molecular nanofibers of peptide derivatives at the supramolecular level as potential nanomedicines and biomaterials. In particular, we discuss the use of enzymes to instruct the self-assembly of small peptide derivatives for hydrogelation, which takes place in vitro or in vivo, extra- or intracellularly, as a new strategy to detect the activity of enzymes, screen enzyme inhibitors, type bacteria, develop drug delivery systems, enhance the activity and stability of enzymes, and control the fate of cells. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.