Amino acidic scaffolds bearing unnatural side chains: an old idea generates new and versatile tools for the life sciences

Andrea Stevenazzi; Mattia Marchini; Giovanni Sandrone; Barbara Vergani; Maria Lattanzio

doi:10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.10.016

Amino acidic scaffolds bearing unnatural side chains: an old idea generates new and versatile tools for the life sciences

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2014 Dec 1;24(23):5349-56. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.10.016. Epub 2014 Oct 13.

Authors

Andrea Stevenazzi¹, Mattia Marchini², Giovanni Sandrone³, Barbara Vergani⁴, Maria Lattanzio⁵

Affiliations

¹ Italfarmaco Research Centre, Italfarmaco SpA, Via dei Lavoratori 54, I-20092 Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: a.stevenazzi@italfarmaco.com.
² Italfarmaco Research Centre, Italfarmaco SpA, Via dei Lavoratori 54, I-20092 Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: m.marchini@italfarmaco.com.
³ Italfarmaco Research Centre, Italfarmaco SpA, Via dei Lavoratori 54, I-20092 Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: g.sandrone@italfarmaco.com.
⁴ Italfarmaco Research Centre, Italfarmaco SpA, Via dei Lavoratori 54, I-20092 Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: b.vergani@italfarmaco.com.
⁵ Italfarmaco Research Centre, Italfarmaco SpA, Via dei Lavoratori 54, I-20092 Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: m.lattanzio@italfarmaco.com.

PMID: 25455481
DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.10.016

Abstract

The unnatural amino acids (UAAs) are members of a class of molecules with relevant impacts in the life sciences. Due to the role of these molecules in the modulation of the chemical and physical properties of biological and inorganic materials, UAAs have attracted increasing interest in recent years. The aim of this review is to highlight (i) the most recent and innovative synthetic routes for the preparation of UAAs, (ii) the recently marketed UAA-based drugs, and (iii) the most promising technological applications involving novel UAA-containing molecular entities.

Keywords: Bioconjugates; Biomaterials; Drugs; Synthesis; UAA; Unnatural amino acid.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Amino Acids / chemistry*
Biological Science Disciplines / instrumentation*
Biological Science Disciplines / methods
Protein Engineering

Substances

Amino Acids