Module 1: Chemical Synthesis of Peptides

Short sequences of peptides can be synthesized in the solution phase, with a certain amount of protection and deprotection to restrict the formation of undesirable byproducts.
Longer chain peptides are usually synthesized in the solid phase.
For protection of the amine groups during the reactions, BOC chemistry is preferred in the solution phase and FMOC chemistry in the solid phase.
Some coupling reagents used in the peptide-synthesis process are BOP, HATU, HBTU and DCC.
There are 60 FDA approved peptides used as medicines.
CREKA is a tumor-homing pentapeptide.
Leuprorelin is a peptide used to treat prostrate cancer and breast cancer.
Spectroscopic techniques, such as UV-visible, IR and Fluorescence are used to characterize bio-molecules.
UV – visible and IR are absorption spectroscopy, while Fluorescence is emission spectroscopy.
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) -based systems or acids are widely applied in the study of probe-target interactions.