Metal ion-assembled micro-collagen heterotrimers.

Collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) provide critical insight into the assembly, stability, and structure of the triple helical collagen protein. The majority of natural fibrous collagens are aab or abc heterotrimers, yet few examples of heterotrimeric CMPs have been reported. Previously, CMP heterotrimers have only been accessible by total syntheses or by introducing complementary interstrand electrostatic or steric interactions.