PROTEINASES AS CATALYSTS IN PEPTIDE-SYNTHESIS

Proteolytic enzymes application as efficient catalysts of peptide synt hesis is discussed. Serine proteinases - subtilisin and chymotrypsin t urned to be especially efficient for kinetically controlled synthesis by condensation of peptide esters and peptide derivatives with free am ino groups. Pepsin suits well to catalyze peptide bead formation accor ding to equilibrium controlled procedure. Backward reaction - peptide bond hydrolysis might be efficiently suppressed if the synthesis is pe l formed in organic solvents with low water content using as a catalys t a proteolytic enzyme sorbed on silica surface. Enzymatic synthesis o f a series of hemostasis enzymes substrates and of laminin pentapeptid e fragment is described.