Solid-phase synthesis of peptidyl thioacids employing a 9-fluorenylmethyl thioester-based linker in conjunction with Boc chemistry

In Vitro Biochemical Characterization of Excised Macrocyclizing Thioesterase Domains from Non-ribosomal Peptide Synthetases

Characterization of thioesterases (TEs) is an important step in understanding natural product biosynthesis. Studying non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) TEs presents a unique set of challenges with specific cloning and expression issues as well as the challenging synthesis of the thioester peptides substrate required for characterization of the TE. In this method, we describe the cloning and expression of NRPS TEs, the synthesis of thioester peptides, and the in vitro biochemical characterization of the enzyme.

Fengycin A Analogues with Enhanced Chemical Stability and Antifungal Properties

Fengycins are cyclic lipo-depsipeptides produced by Bacillus spp. that display potent antifungal properties but are chemically unstable. This instability has meant that no total synthesis of any fengycin has been published. Here we report the synthesis of fengycin A analogues that display enhanced antifungal properties and chemical stability under both basic and acidic conditions. The analogues prepared also demonstrate that the fengycin core structure can be modified and simplified without the loss of antifungal activity.

Thioacids – synthons for amide bond formation and ligation reactions: assembly of peptides and peptidomimetics

The synthesis of α-amino thioacids and peptide thioacids and their applications in chemoselective amide bond formation, ligation of peptides/proteins/glycopeptides and synthesis of peptidomimetics are reviewed.

Nonclassical Routes for Amide Bond Formation

The present review offers an overview of nonclassical (e.g., with no pre- or in situ activation of a carboxylic acid partner) approaches for the construction of amide bonds. The review aims to comprehensively discuss relevant work, which was mainly done in the field in the last 20 years. Organization of the data follows a subdivision according to substrate classes: catalytic direct formation of amides from carboxylic and amines ( section 2 ); the use of carboxylic acid surrogates ( section 3 ); and the use of amine surrogates ( section 4 ). The ligation strategies (NCL, Staudinger, KAHA, KATs, etc.) that could involve both carboxylic acid and amine surrogates are treated separately in section 5 .

Cyclic peptide synthesis with thioacids

C-Terminal amino acid 9-fluorenylmethylthioesters may be carried through Boc chemistry solution phase peptide synthesis sequences. After insertion of the final residue in the form of an Fmoc carbamate, treatment with piperidine releases a seco-peptide as a C-terminal thioacid that on treatment with Sanger's reagent undergoes cyclization to a cyclic peptide. Cyclic penta- and hexapeptides have been synthesized in this manner, as has a cyclic glycopeptide. Functional group compatibility with alcohols and carboxylic acids is demonstrated.

Dihydro-3-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)-2,5-thiophendione: A Convenient Synthon for the Preparation of Substituted 1,4-Thiazepin-5-ones and Piperidinones via the Intermediacy of Thioacids

Reaction of thiomaleic anhydride with triphenylphosphine gives the title compound which undergoes reaction with a variety of aldehydes to give a range of alkylidene thiomaleic anhydrides (substituted monothio itaconic anhydrides). Subsequent treatment with tert-butoxycarbonylamino-substituted thiols, or under radical conditions with tert-butoxycarbonylamino-substituted alkyl halides results in a series of substituted monothiomaleic anhydrides, that on exposure to trifluoroacetic acid and then base lead to thiocarboxyl substituted 1,4-thiazepin-5-ones and piperidinones, respectively, that are ultimately trapped by reaction with 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonamides to give the corresponding amides.