Researchers at AIST, in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, have realized a low-cost, waste-minimized, scalable chemical synthesis of peptides. Complex peptides consisting of nine amino acids can be produced with minimal use of protecting groups.
To produce peptides in large quantities, "chemical synthesis " is required. Conventional methods elongate amino acids one-by-one in a specific order, but the methods are costly due to requiring expensive amino acid starting materials having protective groups and elaborated chemical activators (condensation reagents). In recent years, chemoselective ligations for unprotected peptide chains have been widely used to efficiently produce large peptides, but most of these ligations have limitations in the scope of amino acid sequences. The newly developed peptide synthesis can be applied to any amino acid sequences, and can connect peptide chains in block-by-block style. By using this method, large peptides can be produced in large quantities with minimal use of protecting groups. As a demonstration of this method, we have succeeded in the scalable synthesis of the bioactive peptide consisting of nine amino acids.
This achievement will contribute not only to the development and supply of new pharmaceuticals (middle-sized molecular drugs), but also to pioneer new applications of peptides, such as industrial uses in foods, agrochemicals, cosmetics, and materials. In addition, synthetic methods that reduce production costs and environmental impact will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
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