Micro-size cell-like vesicles based on gemini-like amphiphilic peptide

Abstract

Since simple peptides are considered as basic building blocks for prebiotic organization, peptide vesicles may provide a new insight into the formation of the primitive cell membrane. Here, the formation of micro-sized cell-like vesicles through the fusion of small ones was demonstrated based on gemini-like amphiphilic peptides (GAPs) with cis double bonds of the alkyl tails. It might be due to the change of tightness of arrangement of GAPs in the bilayer membrane caused by the kinked cis double bonds.