Proteinstrukturen aus dem Chemie-Baukasten. Definierte Peptidarchitekturen

Abstract

In diesem Übersichtsartikel werden die vielfachen Bemühungen zur Synthese definierter Protein- und Peptidstrukturen beschrieben. Neben allgemeinen Prinzipien zur Proteinstruktur wird die konzeptionelle Synthese nichtnatürlicher Sekundär- und Tertiärstrukturen anhand der β-Peptide sowie deren biologische Anwendungen vorgestellt. This review summarizes some of the various efforts to synthesize defined secondary structures with unnatural building blocks. These molecules are intended to mimic the molecular architecture of naturally occurring biopolymers while displaying (or even improving) biological function. After a general introduction into the principles of protein structure including the concepts of hierarchy and cooperativity, several examples of the synthesis of defined secondary structures are given. In particular, β-peptides have received considerable attention as a class of molecules with defined structural elements, such as helices and sheets. Finally, preliminary studies towards tertiary structure and biological applications of β-peptides and semisynthetic enzymes are presented and the increased stability of β-peptides over their α-analogues is discussed.