Peptide Chemistry

Analysis of peptides and determination of their primary structure. Conformational analysis: secondary-tertiary structure. Peptide synthesis: protection, activation and coupling, undesired reactions and their prevention, design of synthetic schemes.

This book focuses on peptides as drugs, a growing area of pharmaceutical research and development. It helps readers solve problems of discovering, developing, producing, and delivering peptide-based drugs. • Identifies promising new areas in peptide drug discovery • Includes chapters on discovery from natural sources, metabolic modification, and drug delivery • Overviews separation methods and techniques for analysis, bond formation, and purification • Offers readers both a professional reference and a text or resource for graduate-level students

Almost two centuries ago proteins were recognized as the primary materials (proteios = primary) oflife, but the significance and wide role of peptides (from pepsis = digestion) in practically all life pro cesses has only become apparent in the last few decades. Biologi cally active peptides are now being discovered at rapid intervals in the brain and in other organs including the heart, in the skin of amphibians and many other tissues. Peptides and peptide-like compounds are found among toxins and antibiotics. It is unlikely that this process, an almost explosive broadening of the field, will come to a sudden halt. By now it is obvious that Nature has used the combination of a small to moderate number of amino acids to generate a great variety of agonists with specific and often highly sophisticated functions. Thus, peptide chemistry must be regarded as a discipline in its own right, a major branch of biochemistry, fairly separate from the chemistry of proteins. Because of the important role played by synthesis both in the study and in the practical preparation of peptides, their area can be considered as belonging to bio-organic chemistry as well. The already overwhelming and still increasing body of know ledge renders an account of the history of peptide chemistry more and more difficult. It appears therefore timely to look back, to take stock and to recall the important stages in the development of a new discipline.

Chemistry of Peptide Synthesis is a complete overview of how peptides are synthesized and what techniques are likely to generate the most desirable reactions. Incorporating elements from the author's role of Career Investigator of the Medical Research Council of Canada and his extensive teaching career, the book emphasizes learning rather th

A continued interest in Peptide Chemistry prompted the revision of the first edition of this book. This provided an opportunity to update several details. I am grateful to colleagues who were kind enough to inform me of errors, typographical and other, they had discovered in the first edi tion. These have now been corrected, as were certain shortcomings in language and style pointed out by my daughter, Dr. Eva Bodanszky. In 1991 the excellent The Chemical Synthesis of Peptides by John Jones (Oxford University Press, 1991) appeared. It covers, in part, the same field, but is different enough from Peptide Chemistry, to justify publication of a revised edition of the latter. Princeton, July 1993 M. Bodanszky Preface to the First Edition Nature applied peptides for a great variety of specific functions. The specificity provided by the individual character of each amino acid is further ehanced by the combination of several amino acids into larger molecules. Peptides therefore can act as chemical messengers, neuro transmitters, as highly specific stimulators and inhibitors, regulating var ious life-processes. Entire classes of biologically active compounds, such as the opioid peptides or the gastrointestinal hormones emerged within short periods of time and it is unlikely that the rapid succession of discoveries of important new peptides would come to a sudden halt. In fact, our knowledge of the field is probably still in an early stage of development. Peptides also gained importance in our everyday life.

Peptides play a decisive role in many physiological processes, whether as neurotransmitters, hormones or antibiotics. The rapid developments in peptide research over the past few decades make it almost impossible for newcomers to gain an overview. This means an easily comprehensible yet concise introduction is vital. This unique work covers all the important aspects of this wide-ranging field in one handy volume. On the basis of the fundamental chemical and structural properties of peptides, this reference runs the gamut from analysis, the occurrence and biological importance of peptides, via chemical, biochemical and genetic methods of peptide synthesis, right up to peptide libraries, peptide design and their role in drug research. Yet this book offers much more than a mere overview of the latest level of research. An encyclopedic appendix with valuable data on more than 500 biological relevant peptides and proteins, a comprehensive register and details of further literature references make this the ideal reference for all questions regarding peptide research. For newcomers and specialists alike. On the basis of the fundamental chemical and structural properties of peptides, this reference runs the gamut from analysis, the occurrence and biological importance of peptides.

A look at the shelves of a major library awakens doubts in the author of this small volume about the importance of writing a new introduction to peptide synthesis. This rather narrow area of bio-organic chemistry already has received considerable attention. A whole series of books deals with the synthesis of peptides. Some of these are textbooks written to support lecture courses on peptide synthesis. Others try to help the beginner, otherwise well versed in organic chemistry, to embark on some experimental project that requires the construction of peptide chains. Not less useful are the monographs which were compiled to aid the adept practitioner and to provide him with references to the growing literature of a very active field. Is there any need for a new book on peptide synthesis? Should we add a new volume to an already impressive and certainly useful series? The answer is not obvious. The author has already participated in two similar en deavors. The first edition! of "Peptide Synthesis", with M. A. Ondetti as coauthor, was meant to serve as an introduction for the beginner. It was rather well received by researchers who joined the field of peptide chemistry and were looking for initiation. While working on the 2 second edition with Drs. Klausner and Ondetti, we became painfully aware of the impossibility of the task.

An Introduction to Peptide Chemistry P. D. Bailey, University of York Peptide chemistry is a key area in natural product chemistry, combining aspects of analysis, synthesis and biochemistry. In recent years peptide chemistry has emerged as a discipline in its own right, distinct from amino acid chemistry and protein chemistry. The importance of peptide chemistry is reflected in the intense research interest, exemplified by the progress made in solid-phase peptide synthesis. Recent developments in the determination and prediction of the three-dimensional structure of peptides, and in our understanding and control of their biosynthesis, have led to dramatic advances in the field. This book is intended as a short treatise on peptide chemistry aimed at upper-level undergraduates studying chemistry and biochemistry. This concise account has been thoughtfully presented; emphasis is placed on the principles of peptide chemistry, and how these relate to organic, physical, and biological chemistry. Salle + Sauerländer Aarau·Frankfurt am main·Salzburg