Native Peptide Cyclization, Sequential Chemoselective Amidation in Water

J Am Chem Soc. 2023 Dec 20;145(50):27218-27224. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c10341. Epub 2023 Dec 11.

Abstract

Chemical synthesis offers robust tactics for structural alterations of peptides and proteins. It remains a labor-intensive and complex process due to the challenges in selectively modifying diverse amino acid side chains and termini. Direct α-peptide ligation without premodification is a significant hurdle, especially when aiming to include all proteinogenic amino acids at the ligation site. We introduce Native Peptide Cyclization (NPC), a chemoselective method enabling intramolecular peptidyl ligation without the need for premodification. NPC cyclizes unprotected linear peptides through controlled, sequential C- and N-terminal activation via pH modulation. Water-based NPC simplifies peptide ligation, easing the labor-intensive nature of peptide synthesis, aiding efficient cyclic peptide preparation and enabling cost-effective macrocycle-based therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids
  • Cyclization
  • Peptides* / chemistry
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemistry
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Water*

Substances

  • Water
  • Peptides
  • Proteins
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Amino Acids