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D-amino acids in animal peptides
1Institute of Molecular Biology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Salzburg, Austria.
Annual Review of Biochemistry
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Animal cells can produce D-amino acids in peptides through post-translational modification. A novel enzyme from spider venom catalyzes this conversion of L-amino acids, offering new insights into peptide synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Peptide Synthesis
Background:
- D-amino acids are found in various animal peptides, including antimicrobial and neuropeptides.
- Their presence suggests a post-translational modification from L-amino acids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of D-amino acid formation in animal peptides.
- To identify and characterize enzymes responsible for this post-translational modification.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of peptide sequences from various animal sources.
- cDNA cloning to examine genetic encoding of amino acid positions.
- Enzyme isolation and characterization from funnel web spider venom.
Main Results:
- D-amino acids are incorporated into peptides where L-amino acid codons are present.
- A prototype enzyme capable of converting L-amino acids to D-amino acids was isolated.
Conclusions:
- D-amino acid residues in animal peptides arise from post-translational enzymatic modification of L-amino acids.
- The discovery of a D-amino acid-forming enzyme provides a key insight into this biochemical pathway.