Cyclic Dipeptides Formation From Linear Dipeptides Under Potentially Prebiotic Earth Conditions

Exploring Sources, Biological Functions, and Potential Applications of the Ubiquitous Marine Cyclic Dipeptide: A Concise Review of Cyclic Glycine-Proline

Cyclic glycine-proline (cGP), a prevalent marine cyclic dipeptide, possesses a distinct pyrrolidine-2,5-dione scaffold, which contributes to the chemical diversity and broad bioactivities of cGP. The diverse sources from marine-related, endogenous biological, and synthetic pathways and the in vitro and in vivo activities of cGP are reviewed. The potential applications for cGP are also explored. In particular, the pivotal roles of cGP in regulating insulin-like growth factor-1 homeostasis, enhancing neuroprotective effects, and improving neurotrophic function in central nervous system diseases are described. The potential roles of this endogenous cyclic peptide in drug development and healthcare initiatives are also highlighted. This review underscores the significance of cGP as a fundamental building block in drug discovery with exceptional drug-like properties and safety. By elucidating the considerable value of cGP, this review aims to reignite interest in cGP-related research within marine medicinal chemistry and synthetic biology.

Self-Assembly of Phenylalanine-Leucine, Leucine-Phenylalanine, and Cyclo(-leucine-phenylalanine) Dipeptides through Simulations and Experiments

For over two decades, peptide self-assembly has been the focus of attention and a great source of inspiration for biomedical and nanotechnological applications. The resulting peptide nanostructures and their properties are closely related to the information encoded within each peptide building block, their sequence, and their modes of self-organization. In this work. we assess the behavior and differences between the self-association of the aromatic-aliphatic Phe-Leu dipeptide compared to its retro-sequence Leu-Phe and cyclic Cyclo(-Leu-Phe) counterparts, using a combination of simulation and experimental methods. Detailed all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations offer a quantitative prediction at the molecular level of the conformational, dynamical and structural properties of the peptides' self-assembly, while field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) experiments allow microscopic observation of the self-assembled end-structures. The complementarity and qualitative agreement between the two methods not only highlights the differences between the self-assembly propensity of cyclic and linear retro-sequence peptides but also sheds light on underlying mechanisms of self-organization. The self-assembling propensity was found to follow the order: Cyclo(-Leu-Phe) > Leu-Phe > Phe-Leu.

LC/MS Q-TOF Metabolomic Investigation of Amino Acids and Dipeptides in Pleurotus ostreatus Grown on Different Substrates

The well-established correlation between diet and health arouses great interest in seeking new health-promoting functional foods that may contribute to improving health and well-being. Herein, the metabolomic investigation of Pleurotus ostreatus samples grown on two different substrates (black poplar wood logs, WS, and lignocellulosic byproducts, LcS) revealed the high potential of such a mushroom as a source of bioactive species. The liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry combined with quadrupole time-of-flight (LC/MS Q-TOF) analysis allowed the identification of essential and nonessential amino acids along with the outstanding presence of dipeptides. Multivariate statistical models highlighted important differences in the expression of both classes of compounds arising from the growth of P. ostreatus strains on WS and LcS. The former, in particular, was correlated to an increased expression of carnitine-based amino acid derivatives and proline-based dipeptides. This finding may represent a potential strategy to drive the expression of bioactive compounds of interest to obtain enriched mushrooms or useful functional ingredients from them.

Prebiotic Chemistry: The Role of Trimetaphosphate in Prebiotic Chemical Evolution

Life’s origins have always been a scientific puzzle. Understanding the production of biomolecules is crucial for understanding the evolution of life on Earth. Numerous studies on trimetaphosphate have been conducted in the field of prebiotic chemistry. However, its role in prebiotic chemistry has been documented infrequently in the review literature. The goal of this thesis is to review the role of trimetaphosphate in the early Earth’s biomolecule synthesis and phosphorylation. Additionally, various trimetaphosphate-mediated reaction pathways are discussed, as well as the role of trimetaphosphate in prebiotic chemistry. Finally, in our opinion, interactions between biomolecules should be considered in prebiotic synthesis scenarios since this may result in some advances in subsequent research on this subject. The research establishes an essential and opportune foundation for an in-depth examination of the “mystery of life".