The World Of Peptides

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.

In recent years, research has shown the importance of peptides in neuroscience, immunology, and cell biology. Active research programs worldwide are now engaged in developing peptide-based drugs and vaccines using modification of natural peptides and proteins, design of artificial peptides and peptide mimetics, and screening of peptide and phage libraries. In this comprehensive book, the authors discuss peptide synthesis and application within the context of their increasing importance to the pharmaceutical industry. Peptides: Synthesis, Structures, and Applications explores the broad growth of information in modern peptide synthetic methods and the structure-activity relationships of synthetic polypeptides. The history of peptide chemistry Amide formation, deprotection, and disulfide formation in peptide synthesis Solid-phase peptide synthesis a-helix formation by peptides in water Stability and dynamics of peptide conformation An overview of structure-function studies of peptide hormones Neuropeptides:peptide and nonpeptide analogs Reversible inhibitors of serine proteinases Design of polypeptides Current capabilities and future possibilities of soluble chemical combinatorial libraries Epitope mapping with peptides Synthesis and applications of branched peptides in immunological methods and vaccines

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

Biologically Active Peptides: From Basic Science to Applications for Human Health stands as a comprehensive resource on bioactive peptide science and applications. With contributions from more than thirty global experts, topics discussed include bioactive peptide science, structure-activity relationships, best practices for their study and production, and their applications. In the interdisciplinary field of bioactive peptides, this book bridges the gap between basic peptide chemistry and human physiology, while reviewing recent advances in peptide analysis and characterization. Methods and technology-driven chapters offer step-by-step guidance in peptide preparation from different source materials, bioactivity assays, analysis and identification of bioactive peptides, encoding bioactive peptides. Later, applications across disease areas and medical specialties are examined in-depth, including the use of bioactive peptides in treating obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, mental health disorders, food allergies, and joint health, among other disorders, as well as bioactive peptides for sensory enhancement, sports and clinical nutrition, lowering cholesterol, improving cardiovascular health, and driving advances in biotechnology. Discusses the latest advances in bioactive peptide chemistry, functionality and analysis Offers step-by-step instruction in applying new technologies for peptide extraction, protection, production and encoding, as well as employing bioactive peptide sequencing and bioactivity assays in new research Effectively links basic peptide chemistry, human biology and disease Features chapter contributions from international experts across disciplines and applications

In an ever-increasing domain of activity Amino Acids Peptides and Proteins provides an annual compilation of the world's research effort into this important area of biological chemistry. Volume 29 provides a review of literature published during 1996. Comprising a comprehensive review of significant developments at this biology/chemistry interface each volume opens with an overview of amino acids and their applications. Work on peptides is reviewed over several chapters ranging from current trends in their synthesis and conformational and structural analysis to peptidomimetics and the discovery of peptide-related molecules in nature. The application of advanced techniques in structural elucidation is incorporated into all chapters whilst periodic chapters on metal complexes of amino acids, peptides and beta-lactams extend the scope of coverage. Efficient searching of specialist topics is facilitated by the sub-division of chapters into discrete subject areas allowing annual trends to be monitored. All researchers in the pharmaceutical and allied industries and at the biology/chemistry interface in academia will find this an indispensable reference source.

Provides an interdisciplinary introduction to peptide science, covering their properties and synthesis, as well as many contemporary applications Peptides are biomolecules comprised of amino acids which play an important role in modulating many physiological processes in our body. This book presents an interdisciplinary approach and general introduction to peptide science, covering contemporary topics including their applicability in therapeutics, peptide hormones, amyloid structures, self-assembled structures, hydrogels, and peptide conjugates including lipopeptides and polymer-peptide conjugates. In addition, it discusses basic properties and synthesis clearly and concisely. Taking a logical approach to the subject, Introduction to Peptide Science gives readers the fundamental knowledge that is required to understand the cutting-edge material which comes later in the book. It offers readers in-depth chapter coverage of the basic properties of peptides; synthesis; amyloid and peptide aggregate structures; antimicrobial peptides and cell-penetrating peptides; and peptide therapeutics and peptide hormones. Introduces readers to peptide science, including synthesis and properties Provides unique content covering properties, synthesis, self-assembly, aggregation, and applications Summarizes contemporary topics in an accessible fashion including applications in therapeutics, peptide hormones, amyloid structures, self-assembled structures, hydrogels, and peptide conjugates including lipopeptides Presented at an introductory level for the benefit of students and researchers who are new to the subject Introduction to Peptide Science is an ideal text for undergraduate students of chemistry, biochemistry, and other related biological subjects, and will be a valuable resource for postgraduate students and researchers involved in peptide science and its applications.

Peptides are the building blocks of the natural world; with varied sequences and structures, they enrich materials producing more complex shapes, scaffolds and chemical properties with tailorable functionality. Essentially based on self-assembly and self-organization and mimicking the strategies that occur in Nature, peptide materials have been developed to accomplish certain functions such as the creation of specific secondary structures (a- or 310-helices, b-turns, b-sheets, coiled coils) or biocompatible surfaces with predetermined properties. They also play a key role in the generation of hybrid materials e.g. as peptide-inorganic biomineralized systems and peptide/polymer conjugates, producing smart materials for imaging, bioelectronics, biosensing and molecular recognition applications. Organized into four sections, the book covers the fundamentals of peptide materials, peptide nanostructures, peptide conjugates and hybrid nanomaterials, and applications with chapters including: Properties of peptide scaffolds in solution and on solid substrates Nanostructures, peptide assembly, and peptide nanostructure design Soft spherical structures obtained from amphiphilic peptides and peptide-polymer hybrids Functionalization of carbon nanotubes with peptides Adsorption of peptides on metal and oxide surfaces Peptide applications including tissue engineering, molecular switches, peptide drugs and drug delivery Peptide Materials: From Nanostructures to Applications gives a truly interdisciplinary review, and should appeal to graduate students and researchers in the fields of materials science, nanotechnology, biomedicine and engineering as well as researchers in biomaterials and bio-inspired smart materials.

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.