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Enzymatic Synthesis of Peptide Conjugates: Tools for the Study of Biological Signal Transduction
Author(s) -
Kappes Thomas,
Waldmann Herbert
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
liebigs annalen
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.825
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1099-0690
pISSN - 0947-3440
DOI - 10.1002/jlac.199719970504
Subject(s) - chemistry , peptide , biochemistry , conjugate , enzyme , signal transduction , combinatorial chemistry , cell , amino acid , biological activity , cell signaling , in vitro , mathematical analysis , mathematics
Abstract Glyco‐, phospho‐, nucleo‐ and lipoproteins play key roles in biological signalling cascades, by which chemical signals are passed across the cell membrane and further to the cell nucleus. For the study of the biological phenomena associated with these protein conjugates, structurally well‐defined peptides containing the characteristic linkage region of the peptide backbone with the carbohydrate, the lipid or the phosphoric acid ester can be applied advantageously. The multifunctionality and the pronounced acid‐ and base‐lability of lipo‐, phospho‐, nucleo‐ and glycopeptides, however, renders their synthesis a formidable challenge to conventional organic synthesis. This review highlights the potential of enzymatic transformations, in particular for the removal of protecting groups, as central techniques for the construction of complex and sensitive biologically relevant peptide conjugates under particularly mild conditions and with high selectivity.