Monocyclic Peptides: Types, Synthesis and Applications

Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2021;22(1):123-135. doi: 10.2174/1573412916666200120155104.

Abstract

Peptides are considered to be appropriate tools in various biological fields. They can be primarily used for the rational design of bioactive molecules. They can act as ligands in the development of targeted therapeutics as well as diagnostics, can be used in the design of vaccines or can be employed in agriculture. Peptides can be classified in two broad structural classes: linear and cyclic peptides. Monocyclic peptides are a class of polypeptides with one macrocyclic ring that bears advantages, such as more selective binding and uptake by the target receptor, as well as higher potency and stability compared to linear types. This paper provides an overview of the categories, synthesis methods and various applications of cyclic peptides. The various applications of cyclic peptides include their use as pro-apoptotic and anti-microbial agents, their application as targeting ligands in drug delivery and diagnostic agents, as well as agricultural and therapeutics applications that are elaborated and discussed in this paper.

Keywords: Cyclic peptides; multifunctional tools; natural peptides; synthetic peptides.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cyclization
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Green Chemistry Technology
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Peptide Biosynthesis, Nucleic Acid-Independent
  • Peptide Library*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemical synthesis*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemistry
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology
  • Protein Hydrolysates / chemical synthesis
  • Protein Hydrolysates / chemistry
  • Protein Hydrolysates / pharmacology
  • Solid-Phase Synthesis Techniques

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Ligands
  • Peptide Library
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Protein Hydrolysates