Counter-current chromatographic purification of [D-Ala]peptide T amide

A recently proposed octapeptide, [D-Ala]peptide T amide (D-Ala-Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr-NH2), has been shown to bind to the CD4 receptor on human T-cell lymphocytes and block human immunodeficiency viral infectivity. This peptide may not only be itself a promising therapeutic for the disease of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), but might open a new avenue of research towards more efficacious drugs. Accordingly, a counter-current chromatography system is here presented, utilizing the Ito flow-through coil planet centrifuge (solvent system, 1% trifluoroacetic acid-n-butanol (1:1), upper phase mobile) which allows facile preparative purification of [D-Ala]peptide T amide. The method may be applicable to purifying analogues of [D-Ala]peptide T amide as they are developed.