Recent advances in amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides and synthetic polypeptides: chemistry, self-assembly and biological applications.
Polypeptides are fascinating materials with unique properties for various biological materials. We highlight here recent advances in amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) and synthetic polypeptides from the aspects of chemistry, self-assembly and biological applications. New synthetic methodologies, mechanistic studies and optimization of polymerization conditions for the preparation of well-defined novel polypeptides are comprehensively reviewed and evaluated. Functional polypeptides, mostly prepared from novel NCA monomers, with ultra-stable helical conformation, stimuli-sensitive properties, or glycoprotein mimetics are summarized. We also highlight a number of interesting self-assembled structures of polypeptides in solid state and solution, with particular emphasis on those structures other than amphiphilic self-assembly. The biological applications of polypeptides in drug and gene delivery are also reviewed. Future directions and perspectives are discussed in the conclusion.
Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. hualu@scripps.edu.
Hua
H
Lu
Jing
J
Wang
Ziyuan
Z
Song
Lichen
L
Yin
Yanfeng
Y
Zhang
Haoyu
H
Tang
Chunlai
C
Tu
Yao
Y
Lin
Jianjun
J
Cheng
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D000812:Anhydrides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000596:Amino Acids; D000812:Anhydrides; D010455:Peptides; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering