Design and applications of metal-binding peptides

Metal ions possess unique properties that make them essential for developing advanced biomaterials. Metal-binding peptides provide a versatile platform for harnessing these properties, as their binding capabilities can be tuned through rational sequence design. By coupling the programmable nature of peptides with the diverse functional attributes of metal ions, metal-binding peptides offer a powerful strategy for creating compounds with tailored activities. In this review, we present a design-oriented guide for developing new metal-binding peptides, highlighting the affinities of key metal-binding peptide motifs across a broad range of metal ions and outlining the functional properties of these metals. We further discuss the expanding applications of metal-binding peptides in biological research, medicine, environmental applications, and materials chemistry. Taken together, these insights aim to support researchers in developing next-generation functional metal-binding peptides and in exploring their vast potential across disciplines. • The affinities of peptide moieties to metal ions across the periodic table are systematically mapped. • Design strategies for engineering metal-binding peptides are presented. • Applications of metal-binding peptides across biological research, medicine, environmental science, and nanotechnological systems are discussed.