Enzymatic Synthesis of Kyotorphin Precursor Utilizing Surfactant-Coated Enzyme in Organic Media

Abstract

A novel method for peptide synthesis in an aqueous/organic biphasic system utilizing an surfactant-coated enzyme catalytically active in organic media is proposed. In this method, peptides synthesized in an organic phase are selectively extracted to an aqueous phase. We apply this method to α-chymotrypsin-catalyzed synthesis of kyotorphin (anodyne peptide) precursor (Z-TyrArgOEt), and 30 % yield of peptide is achieved (ca. 20 % in aqueous system).