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Development of a Backbone Cyclic Peptide Library as Potential Antiparasitic Therapeutics Using Microwave Irradiation
Published on: January 26, 2016
Pharmaceutical applications of cyclotides
Paola G Ojeda1, Marlon H Cardoso2, Octávio L Franco2
1Escuela de Química y Farmacia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Maule, Av. San Miguel 3605, Talca 3480112, Chile.
Abstract:
Cyclotides are cyclic peptides, present in several plant families, that show diverse biological properties. Structurally, cyclotides share a distinctive head-to-tail circular knotted topology of three disulfide bonds. This framework provides cyclotides with extraordinary resistance to thermal and chemical denaturation. There is increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of cyclotides, which combine several promising pharmaceutical properties, including binding affinity, target selectivity, and low toxicity towards healthy mammalian cells. Recently, cyclotides have been reported to be orally bioavailable and have proved to be amenable to modifications. Here, we provide an overview of the structure, properties, and pharmaceutical applications of cyclotides.
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