Peptide/protein-based macrocycles: from biological synthesis to biomedical applications

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Synthetic Biology
• Protein Engineering

Background:

• Organisms utilize cyclic peptides/proteins for enhanced stability and bioactivity.
• Linear counterparts often lack these advantages.

Purpose of the Study:

• Review progress in applying cyclic macrocycle concepts to artificial peptides/proteins.
• Highlight biological synthesis as an alternative to chemical methods.
• Discuss applications in therapeutic biomedicines.

Main Methods:

• Summarize chemical tools and synthetic strategies for biological macrocycle synthesis.
• Review development of macrocycle variants like knots and links.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated biological synthesis as a powerful alternative to chemical synthesis.
• Showcased improved pharmaceutical performances of macrocyclic biomedicines.

Conclusions:

• Cyclic macrocycles offer significant functional benefits over linear forms.
• Biological synthesis is a viable and powerful strategy for macrocycle production.
• Macrocyclic peptides/proteins hold great promise for advanced therapeutics.