Semisynthetic head-to-tail cyclized peptides obtained by combining protein trans-splicing and intramolecular expressed protein ligation

Chem Commun (Camb). 2021 Apr 27;57(34):4194-4197. doi: 10.1039/d1cc00449b.

Abstract

A dual-intein approach for the preparation of head-to-tail macrocyclic peptides is reported, where synthetic and genetically encoded fragments are ligated by two native peptide bonds. A split intein ligates the synthetic and genetically encoded peptides via protein trans-splicing and is followed by intramolecular cyclization through an expressed protein ligation step mediated with a cis-intein. We identified a suitable pair of orthogonal inteins and optimized the conditions for a one-pot cyclization protocol. We report the semisynthesis of model macrocyles with various ring sizes and of the natural product sunflower trypsin inhibitor (SFTI) along with its ornithine analog.

MeSH terms

  • Biological Products / chemical synthesis*
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Biological Products / pharmacology
  • Cyclization
  • Helianthus / enzymology
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemical synthesis*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemistry
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Protein Splicing
  • Trypsin / chemistry
  • Trypsin / genetics*
  • Trypsin / metabolism

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Trypsin