The mimic chain reaction

Abstract

It is sometimes speculated that the equivalent of the polymerase chain reaction might be developed for identification of peptides, proteins or other molecules. In general, though, it is believed that there can be no way to amplify targets such as proteins. Natural amplification systems do, however, exist as in the case of certain autoinducer systems in bacteria. Here, we outline a possible, generic method, the mimic chain reaction, for obtaining peptides with 3-D structures that mimic the 3-D structure of their targets. These targets would include a variety of molecules, including proteins. There are therefore two categories of applications: the ability via amplification firstly to detect a known protein or other target at an extremely low concentration, and secondly to obtain a set of peptides that mimic the structure of an unknown target and that can be used to obtain a 'photofit'.