Peptide-capped gold nanoparticles: towards artificial proteins.

Peptides can be designed to form self-assembled monolayers on gold nanoparticles to give nanomaterials with some chemical properties analogous to those of proteins. A variety of molecular-recognition properties are readily integrated within the peptide monolayer. Monofunctionalized nanoparticles are obtained by using separation methods that have been optimized for proteins. Recent applications as artificial enzymes and artificial enzyme substrates are presented. The limitations and long-term potential of peptide-capped nanoparticles as artificial proteins are discussed.