10.1246/bcsj.41.2772
The research aimed to synthesize and test two analogs of oxytocin, a hormone known for its role in childbirth and social bonding. The analogs, [9-leucine]-oxytocin and oxytocinoyl-glycinamide, were created by replacing the glycinamide residue at position 9 in oxytocin with leucinamide and glycylglycinamide, respectively. The study's purpose was to explore the structure-activity relationships in oxytocin and to understand the impact of these modifications on the hormone's pharmacological properties. The researchers used a variety of chemicals in their synthesis process, including benzyloxycarbonyl-tripeptide azide, hexa- or heptapeptide amide, and various protecting groups such as benzyloxycarbonyl and benzyl groups, which were later removed using sodium in liquid ammonia or anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. The synthesized analogs were then oxidized and tested for their oxytocic potency, with [9-leucine]-oxytocin showing approximately 8% potency and oxytocinoyl-glycinamide showing 0.5% potency compared to the natural oxytocin. The findings suggest that the replacement of glycine with bulkier leucine did not significantly reduce the biological activity, which is significant for understanding the structure-function relationship of the oxytocin molecule.
10.1016/S0040-4039(00)96804-7
The research aims to develop new linkage agents for the preparation of peptide amides using a modified Fmoc (9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl) strategy. The researchers introduce a new anchor group that can be coupled to the resin and releases the peptide amide upon treatment with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The new linkers were successfully applied in the solid-phase synthesis of oxytocin and LHRH, yielding pure peptides in 33% and 43% yields, respectively, identical to authentic samples. Oxytocin is synthesized using the newly developed acid-labile anchor group to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new linkage agents in solid-phase peptide synthesis. The synthesis process involves coupling the anchor group to a resin with valine as an anchor, followed by sequential addition of Fmoc-protected amino acids. After the synthesis is complete, the peptide amide is cleaved from the resin using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) with thioanisole and ethanedithiol. The crude peptide is then purified, and the cysteine residue is deprotected and oxidized to form the disulfide bond. The final product, oxytocin, is obtained in a 33% yield and is identical to an authentic sample, confirming the successful application of the new anchor group in the synthesis of this peptide. The study concludes that the new anchor group provides a practical and efficient alternative for the synthesis of peptide amides, simplifying the cleavage process and improving the overall synthesis efficiency.