Authors: Gentilucci, Luca; Tolomelli, Alessandra; Squassabia, Federico

Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 13, Number 20, August 2006 , pp. 2449-2466(18)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Despite the fact that they have been used for a century to treat several kinds of diseases, peptides and short proteins are now considered the new generation of biologically active tools. Indeed, recent findings suggest a wide range of novel applications in medicine, biotechnology, and surgery. The efficacy of native peptides has been greatly enhanced by introducing structural modifications in the original sequences, giving rise to the class of peptidomimetics. This review gives an overview of both classical applications and promising new categories of biologically active peptides and analogs. Besides the new entries in well known peptide families, such as antibiotic macrocyclic peptides, integrin inhibitors, as well as immunoactive, anticancer, neuromodulator, opioid, and hormone peptides, a number of novel applications have been recently reported. Outstanding examples include peptide-derived semi-synthetic vaccines, drug delivery systems, radiolabeled peptides, self-assembling peptides, which can serve as biomaterials in tissue engineering for creating cartilage, blood vessels, and other tissues, or as substrates for neurite outgrowth and synapse formation, immobilized peptides, and proteins. Finally, peptide-based biomaterials can find applications in bio-nanotechnology for bio-microchips, peptide nanorods and nanotubes, bio-sensors, bio-electronic devices, and peptide-metal wires.

Keywords: Peptides; peptidomimetics; peptide hormones; opioid peptides; antibiotic peptides; anticancer peptides; biotechnological peptide-based materials

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986706777935041

Affiliations: 1: Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician," Universita degli Studi di Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126 -Bologna, Italy.

Publication date: 2006-08-01

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• Current Medicinal Chemistry covers all the latest and outstanding developments in medicinal chemistry and rational drug design. Each issue contains a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of the current topics in medicinal chemistry. Current Medicinal Chemistry is an essential journal for every medicinal chemist who wishes to be kept informed and up-to-date with the latest and most important developments.

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