Depsipeptide

Depsipeptide is a type of peptide that includes ester bonds in addition to the standard amide bonds. The term is often used to refer to a class of antibiotics that are made up of a chain of amino acids and hydroxy acids.

Structure

The structure of depsipeptides is similar to that of peptides, but with the addition of ester bonds. These bonds are formed between a carboxyl group and a hydroxyl group, resulting in a molecule with both amide and ester functionalities. This unique structure gives depsipeptides their distinctive properties and allows them to perform a variety of biological functions.

Biological Functions

Depsipeptides have a wide range of biological functions. They are often produced by microorganisms as secondary metabolites and can have antibiotic, antifungal, and antitumor properties. Some depsipeptides, such as romidepsin, have been approved for use in the treatment of certain types of cancer.

Synthesis

Depsipeptides can be synthesized in the laboratory using a variety of methods. One common method is solid-phase peptide synthesis, which allows for the controlled addition of amino acids and hydroxy acids to a growing peptide chain. Other methods include liquid-phase peptide synthesis and biological synthesis using genetically modified organisms.

Clinical Use

Several depsipeptides have been investigated for their potential use in medicine. For example, romidepsin is a depsipeptide that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Other depsipeptides, such as plitidepsin, are currently being investigated in clinical trials for their potential use in treating various types of cancer.

See Also

• Peptide
• Ester
• Antibiotics
• Romidepsin
• Plitidepsin

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