Synthesis and enzymic hydrolysis of cyclic peptides containing an anthranilic acid residue

Two cyclic peptides cyclo (Phe-MeAnt-Glyn) with MeAnt = 5-methyl-anthranilic acid residue, n = 4 (3b) and n = 6 (4b), have been synthesized in solution and their reaction with alpha-chymotrypsin analyzed. The polyglycyl chain was prepared by the phosphazo method; cyclization at the Gly-Phe site occurred in good yield using the azide method. Catalysis of the hydrolysis of peptides 3b and 4b by alpha-chymotrypsin was characterized at 37 degrees by the apparent second-order rate constants kcat/Km 0.12 and 1.15 M-1 S-1, respectively, in agreement with the usual acceleration observed upon enlargement of the size of the peptidic ring in cyclic peptides. alpha-Chymotrypsin specifically split the Phe-MeAnt amide bond in cyclopeptide 4b. This specific orientation suggests that analogous structures with a functionalized methylene group instead of the methyl substituent can be used in the design of suicide substrates for serine proteases.