A sensitive visual test for detection of OH groups on resin

Quantitative assessment of preloaded 4-alkoxybenzyl alcohol resins for solid-phase peptide syntheses by 1D and 2D HR-MAS NMR

The quality of preloaded Wang resins is very important for the success of solid-phase peptide syntheses (SPPS). A critical factor is the capping of remaining hydroxyl groups after loading with the first amino acid, since these free alcohols lead to truncated sequences during the following SPPS steps. Because the detection of hydroxyl groups by color tests is difficult and unreliable, the capping efficiency is often controlled by time-consuming peptide test syntheses. Here, we describe a two-dimensional, high resolution magic angle spinning NMR method for the quantitative determination of remaining 4-alkoxybenzyl alcohols in Fmoc-Xaa-Wang resins with a detection limit of 1 mol-%. The NMR method was validated with samples of known ratios between Fmoc-Ala-Wang and 4-alkoxybenzylalcohol resin. Application to a set of preloaded Fmoc-Ala- and Fmoc-Thr(tBu)-Wang test resins demonstrated that the full range of essential amino acids can be quantified without further spectrometer calibration. Compared to established test synthesis protocols, the NMR method represents not only advantages in terms of time and cost savings but also eliminates all inaccuracies due to further sample treatment like SPPS and cleavage from the resin.

Combinatorial discovery of peptide dendrimer enzyme models hydrolyzing isobutyryl fluorescein

Two 6750-membered one-bead-one-compound peptide dendrimer combinatorial libraries L (X(4))(8)(LysX(3))(4)(LysX(2))(2)LysX(1) (X(1-4) = 14 different amino acids or deletion, Lys = branching lysine residue) and AcL (with N-terminal acetylation) were prepared by split-and-mix solid phase peptide synthesis. Screening toward fluorogenic substrates for esterase and aldolase activities using the in silica off-bead assay (N. Maillard et al., J. Comb. Chem. 2009, 11, 667-675) and bead decoding by amino acid analysis revealed histidine containing sequences active against fluorescein diacetate. Isobutyryl fluorescein, a related hydrophobic fluorogenic substrate, was preferentially hydrolyzed by dendrimers from library AcL containing hydrophobic residues such as AcH3 (AcHis)(8)(LysLeu)(4)(LysVal)(2)LysLysOH, compared to simple oligohistidine peptides as reference catalysts. Polycationic dendrimers from library L with multiple free N-termini such as H8 (His)(8)(LysβAla)(4)(LysThr)(2)LysaProNH(2) (aPro = (2S,4S)-4-aminoproline) showed stronger reactivity toward 8-acetoxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate with partial acylation of N-termini. These experiments highlight the role of noncatalytic amino acids to determine substrate selectivity in peptide dendrimer esterase models.

Protecting-group-based colorimetric monitoring of fluorous-phase and solid-phase synthesis of oligoglucosamines

A new hydroxyl protecting group, nitrophthalimidobutyric (NPB) acid, has been synthesized in one solvent-free step for colorimetric monitoring of reaction cycles upon its facile removal with hydrazine acetate in the solid-phase and fluorous-phase syntheses of antigenic oligoglucosamines associated with infectious Staphylococcus aureus. The NPB group serves as a convenient hydroxyl protecting group that is stable to the basic conditions required for the synthesis of the common trichloroacetimidate protecting groups, the strongly acidic conditions used in glycosylation reactions, as well as conditions commonly used to remove silicon-based protecting groups.

Depsipeptide synthesis

Naturally occurring cyclic depsipeptides, peptides that contain one or more ester bonds in addition to the amide bonds, have emerged as an important source of pharmacologically active compounds or promising lead structures for the development of novel synthetically derived drugs. This class of natural products has been found in many organisms, such as fungi, bacteria, and marine organisms. It is very well known that cyclic depsipeptides and their derivatives exhibit a diverse spectrum of biological activities, including insecticidal, antiviral, antimicrobial, antitumor, tumor-promotive, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive actions. However, they have shown the greatest therapeutic potential as anticancer and particularly antimicrobial agents. Difficulties associated with isolation and purification of larger quantities of this class of natural products and, particularly, unlimited access to their synthetic analogs significantly hampered cyclic depsipeptides exploitation as lead compounds for development of new drugs. As an alternative, total solution or solid-phase peptide synthesis of these important natural products and combinatorial chemistry approaches can be employed to elucidate structure-activity relationships and to find new potent compounds of this class. In this chapter, methods for formation of depsipeptide ester bonds, hydroxyl group protection, and solid-phase reaction monitoring are described.

N-Acyl-N-alkyl-sulfonamide anchors derived from Kenner’s safety-catch linker: powerful tools in bioorganic and medicinal chemistry

In 1971 Kenner et al. introduced the safety-catch principle into solid phase peptide synthesis. Thus two contradicting needs were addressed. On the one hand, sufficient stability of the linker substrate bond to impede hydrolysis or similar side reactions, on the other hand mild chemical conditions allowing for unscathed liberation of the precious products. Over the years this linker type emerged in several different chemical disciplines and nowadays it presents a useful and broadly applicable tool. Recent advancements and applications based on Kenner's safety-catch linker are reviewed.

Colorimetric Tools for Solid-Phase Organic Synthesis

One of the unresolved problems of solid-phase organic synthesis (SPOS) is the availability of general and rapid methods to monitor the transformation of functional groups present in molecules supported on insoluble supports. Color tests, far from providing the ultimate solution, may help in detection (and sometimes in quantification) of different functional groups. In this short review, we have collected most of the methods available and applied in SPOS with an Experimental Section that describes the procedure we have successfully applied to bead analyses in our laboratories.

Qualitative Colorimetric Tests for Solid Phase Synthesis

Results obtained in the application of these tests are summarized in Table II. We have encountered some variations in the reproducibility and accuracy of some tests. Due to the numerous factors that can influence colorimetric test results (e.g., test reagent stability, resin type, functional group interference, and lability of protecting group) we highly recommend performing a positive and a negative control for any test applied to a new synthesis. We also emphasize the importance of reagent solution purity on the outcome of test results, hence we strongly encourage the use of correctly prepared and carefully stored reactants. To minimize false results due to lability of the resin-product bond or the product itself (such as Fmoc-protected amino acids), colorimetric tests should be performed with the utmost immediacy in regards to completion of the step to be monitored. Hence the storage of resin over long periods of time (more than 24 h) before testing is not advisable. When the result of a colorimetric test is in doubt we advise repeating the test a few times until a reproducible result is obtained. The use of multiple tests for the same functional group may elucidate ambiguous or otherwise challenging cases.

[Development of novel methodology for rapid conjugated oligosaccharide synthesis]

Glycosylation is one of the most important post-translation modifications of proteins, which affects biological activities by way of controlling higher order structure. Recently, the novel structure of glycoprotein, namely C-glycosyl protein was identified in various proteins. The first total synthesis of the naturally occurring C-glycosyl amino acid and peptide was achieved. The mannose and tryptophan moiety was connected via ring opening reaction of epoxide by lithiated indole derivative. After functional group conversion and deprotection, the glyco-amino acid was synthesized in a concise and stereoselective manner. To develop the rapid oligosaccharide construction methodology, the soluble polymer supported oligosaccharide was investigated. Due to high polarity of polymer support, the purification of PEG bound compound is achieved quite easily. The real-time monitoring of the glycosylation reaction was performed by MALDI-TOF MS, whereas the deprotection reaction of chloroacetyl group was performed by color test using (p-nitrobenzyl) pyridine. The purification of PEG bound compound which has chloroacetyl group, is achieved by capture-release strategy by use of resin bound cysteine derivative. By combination of these methodologies and novel linker, tetrasaccharides were synthesized.

Development and application of a carbonyl-(13)C-enriched backbone amide linker for solid-phase reaction monitoring

The synthesis and application of a carbonyl-(13)C backbone amide linker are described. The labeled unit is conveniently mixed with commercial resins, providing a rapid means of monitoring chemistry performed with this linker on solid support using conventional (13)C NMR methods.

Small ring constrained peptidomimetics. Synthesis of epoxy peptidomimetics, inhibitors of cysteine proteases

Different dipeptide analogues containing an oxirane ring in the place of the peptidic bond were prepared starting from naturally occurring amino acids. N-Fmoc-amino aldehydes were transformed into the corresponding methoxyvinyl derivatives through a Wittig reaction, and the addition of PhSeCl gave a series of different alpha-phenylselenyl aldehydes. Mukajiama reaction with silylketene acetals gave an intermediate product that was finally transformed into the desired oxiranyl peptidomimetics. Following this strategy we were able to control three new contiguous stereocenters starting from the enantiomerically pure amino acid. The dipeptide analogues could be used in SPPS on a SASRIN resin as the final epoxides were relatively unstable under acidic conditions. Moreover the synthesis of the single dipeptide mimetics was carried out on solid phase to generate a small library of epoxy peptidomimetics. Some of the products prepared in this work resulted as time-dependent reversible inhibitors of cysteine protease.

Solid-phase synthesis of beta-lactams via the Miller hydroxamate approach

[figure: see text] beta-Lactams were prepared on solid phase starting from serine, threonine, or other beta-hydroxyacids derived from naturally occurring amino acids and a resin bound hydroxylamine. The ring closure was carried out under Mitsunobu conditions. The amino group present on the beta-lactam was used to assemble a short peptide. After a reductive cleavage with Sml2, beta-lactam-containing peptides were obtained.