Unnatural Amino Acids

Amino acids that are produced synthetically or occur naturally without being incorporated into proteins and peptides are referred to as non-proteinogenic amino acids (i.e., not found in protein sequences). Proteins do not contain unnatural amino acids, hence enzymes do not frequently recognize them as cleavage sites for proteolytic destruction. However, these building blocks can be added to custom peptides in synthetic peptides for a number of purposes, such as conformational limitations, pharmacologically active components, the creation of varied combinatorial libraries, and in sturdy molecular scaffolds. Unnatural amino acids include an almost endless variety of molecular components that, when modified with the right protective groups, can be quickly added to a bespoke peptide.

Unnatural Amino Acids Chemistry

Drug Development

The addition of unnatural amino acids to bespoke peptides and peptidomimetics (including peptide-peptoid hybrids) frequently aids in drug development. The artificial amino acids that CPC Scientific can use to create peptides include, among others:

• β-amino acids (β3 and β4)

• γ-amino acids

• N-alkylated derivatives

• Peptoid derivatives

• Homo-amino acids

• cysteine derivatives (e.g., penicillamine)

• hydroxylated amino acids (e.g., hydroxyproline)

• Bicyclic amino acids (e.g., azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane)

• Aromatic amino acids (e.g., aminobenzoic acid and derivatives)

• Halogenated derivatives (e.g, 5F-Trp)

• Nitro derivatives (e.g., nitro-tyrosine)

• Branched-chain amino acid derivatives