Functionalization of peptides and proteins by aldehyde or keto groups

The functionalization of peptides and proteins by aldehyde or keto groups h as become the subject of intensive research since the discovery of the inhi bition properties of peptide aldehydes and the advent of protein engineerin g. The first part of this review focuses upon the tremendous efforts devote d to the solid-phase synthesis of peptide aldehydes as protease inhibitors. The second part describes the utility of the aldehyde or keto functionalit ies for the site-specific modification of peptides or proteins. (C) 2000 Jo hn Wiley & Sons, Inc.