Volume 53, Issue 25 pp. 6501-6505
Communication

Serine-Selective Aerobic Cleavage of Peptides and a Protein Using a Water-Soluble Copper–Organoradical Conjugate

Yohei Seki

Yohei Seki

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)

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Dr. Kana Tanabe

Dr. Kana Tanabe

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)

Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), ERATO, Kanai Life Science Catalysis Project, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)

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Dr. Daisuke Sasaki

Dr. Daisuke Sasaki

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)

Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), ERATO, Kanai Life Science Catalysis Project, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)

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Dr. Youhei Sohma

Dr. Youhei Sohma

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)

Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), ERATO, Kanai Life Science Catalysis Project, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)

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Dr. Kounosuke Oisaki

Corresponding Author

Dr. Kounosuke Oisaki

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)Search for more papers by this author
Prof. Dr. Motomu Kanai

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Motomu Kanai

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)

Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), ERATO, Kanai Life Science Catalysis Project, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)Search for more papers by this author
First published: 14 May 2014
Citations: 49

This work was supported by a Grant in-Aid for Young Scientist B and Scientific Research C from JSPS (for K.O.), and ERATO from JST (for M.K.). We thank T. Sonobe, Dr. Y. Aoi, and Dr. S. Kawashima for fruitful discussions.

Graphical Abstract

Peptides and proteins can be cleaved selectively at serine residues under mild (room temperature, near neutral pH value) aerobic conditions by a water-soluble copper–organoradical conjugate. The method is applicable to the site-selective cleavage of polypeptides that possess various functional groups, D-amino acids, or sensitive disulfide pairs. The system was also used for the site-selective cleavage of a native protein comprising more than 70 amino acid residues.

Abstract

The site-specific cleavage of peptide bonds is an important chemical modification of biologically relevant macromolecules. The reaction is not only used for routine structural determination of peptides, but is also a potential artificial modulator of protein function. Realizing the substrate scope beyond the conventional chemical or enzymatic cleavage of peptide bonds is, however, a formidable challenge. Here we report a serine-selective peptide-cleavage protocol that proceeds at room temperature and near neutral pH value, through mild aerobic oxidation promoted by a water-soluble copper–organoradical conjugate. The method is applicable to the site-selective cleavage of polypeptides that possess various functional groups. Peptides comprising D-amino acids or sensitive disulfide pairs are competent substrates. The system is extendable to the site-selective cleavage of a native protein, ubiquitin, which comprises more than 70 amino acid residues.

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