Synthesis of multiple peptides on plastic pins

Scanning protein sequences by bioassay for smaller bioactive peptide sequences requires a source of many peptides homologous with the parent protein sequence. This unit deals with one of the synthetic methods for making such sets of peptides. The strategy of the multiple peptide approach to biological scanning is discussed, along with the synthetic protocols, and the handling of peptides after synthesis, i.e., cleavage, preliminary purification, storage, and analysis. It is specific for the multipin technique using equipment obtained from Chiron Technologies, although some of the approaches are applicable to other multiple synthesis techniques. Procedures for multipin equipment obtained from other suppliers may differ from the procedures described here, and the manufacturer's literature should be consulted. This unit also includes protocols for preparing Fmoc-amino acid solutions and for acetylating or biotinylating synthesized peptides.