Ser-His catalyses the formation of peptides and PNAs

FEBS Lett. 2009 Jan 5;583(1):153-6. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.11.052. Epub 2008 Dec 9.

Abstract

The dipeptide seryl-histidine (Ser-His) catalyses the condensation of esters of amino acids, peptide fragments, and peptide nucleic acid (PNA) building blocks, bringing to the formation of peptide bonds. Di-, tri- or tetra-peptides can be formed with yields that vary from 0.5% to 60% depending on the nature of the substrate and on the conditions. Other simpler peptides as Gly-Gly, or Gly-Gly-Gly are also effective, although less efficiently. We discuss the results from the viewpoint of primitive chemistry and the origin of long macromolecules by stepwise fragment condensations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Dipeptides / chemistry*
  • Peptide Nucleic Acids / chemical synthesis*
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis*

Substances

  • Dipeptides
  • Peptide Nucleic Acids
  • Peptides
  • seryl-histidine