Synthesis 2023; 55(22): 3701-3724
DOI: 10.1055/a-2091-8062
review

Exploring Chemical Modifications of Aromatic Amino Acid Residues in Peptides

Susanta Bhunia
a   Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur-721302, West Bengal, India   URL: www.msmlabiitkgp.com
,
Manasa Purushotham
b   Department of Chemistry, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560056, Karnataka, India
,
Ganesh Karan
a   Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur-721302, West Bengal, India   URL: www.msmlabiitkgp.com
,
Bishwajit Paul
b   Department of Chemistry, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560056, Karnataka, India
,
Modhu Sudan Maji
a   Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur-721302, West Bengal, India   URL: www.msmlabiitkgp.com
› Author Affiliations
M.S.M. gratefully acknowledges the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India (Grant no. 02(0433)/21/EMR-II) for funding. B.P sincerely thanks the Department of Science and Technology, Science and Engineering Research Board (DST-SERB) of India (Grant no. SUR/2022/001257) for financial support. B.P. also acknowledges the University Grants Commission, Faculty Recharge Progamme (UGC-FRP) and Bangalore University (U.O DEV:D2a:BU-RP:2020-21) for funding. S.B. and G.K. thank the CSIR, India for fellowships. M.P. thanks the DST, Government of India, for financial support (Grant no. SR/WOS-A/CS-8/2017) under the Women Scientists Scheme.


Abstract

The chemical diversification of biomolecules set forth a significant area of research that constitutes an important intersection between chemistry and biology. Amino acids and peptides are the fundamental building blocks of proteins and play essential roles in all living organisms. While significant efforts have been geared toward the chemical modification of amino acid residues, particularly the functionalization of reactive functional groups such as lysine NH2 and cysteine SH, the exploration of the aromatic amino acid residues of tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine, and histidine has been relatively limited. Therefore, this review highlights strategies for the side-chain functionalization of these four aromatic amino acids in peptides, with a focus on elucidating the underlying mechanisms. We have also illustrated the use of these modifications in the chemical and biological realm.

1 Introduction

2 Tryptophan Modifications

3 Tyrosine Modifications

4 Phenylalanine Modifications

5 Histidine Modifications

6 Perspectives and Future Outlook



Publication History

Received: 09 April 2023

Accepted after revision: 11 May 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
11 May 2023

Article published online:
19 June 2023

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