The science of amino acids, their structure and synthesis

Amino acid structure and peptide bond formation

Peptides are formed when amino acids They join together via a peptide bond, an amide bond, which is formed when the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of another. Depending on the number of amino acids involved, a short or longer polypeptide is formed.

Chains of up to 50 amino acids are typically classified as peptides, with longer ones typically classified as proteins. These molecules play incredibly important roles in the body, acting as hormones (such as insulin), neurotransmitters, growth factors, and even antimicrobials, among other things.

Creating peptides in the laboratory is a fascinating process. Thanks to advances in chemical peptide synthesis, scientists can now design peptides with precise sequences and modifications tailored to their research.

The two main methods used are solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and liquid-phase peptide synthesis (LPPS). SPPS is currently the most popular technique in most laboratories because it simplifies purification and allows for automation. LPPS, although older, is still useful for the mass production of small peptides.

There are also more sustainable approaches, such as chemoenzymatic synthesis, which combines chemical steps with enzyme-based methods to reduce waste and increase yield.

The synthesis process usually follows several main steps:

• Security: Temporarily blocking reactive amino acid fragments to avoid undesirable reactions.
• Activation and coupling: Enabling the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids.
• Deprotection: Removal of protecting groups before the next reaction.
• Fission and purification: Chain finalization and isolation of pure peptide.

What is peptide chemistry?

This process allows scientists to precisely engineer peptides, introducing custom modifications, unnatural amino acids, or sequences that would otherwise be difficult to study using biological systems alone. This is where peptide chemistry comes into its own, giving scientists the freedom to design and test peptides for highly specific biological functions.

Peptide chemistry encompasses the study of peptide formation, structure, and function. Peptides are more than just short fragments of proteins—they play significant roles in the body, acting as:

• Hormones (e.g. insulin)
• Neurotransmitters
• Immune modulators
• Cell signaling molecules

In the laboratory, peptides are studied to better understand these biological functions or to develop synthetic analogues for pharmaceutical research.

What role do peptides play in the human body? Although the peptides offered on pepeurope.net are intended for research purposes only and are not intended for human consumption, scientific studies show that peptides influence many important biological processes. They help regulate hormone levels, support muscle growth and recovery, improve fat metabolism, and even support immune and neurological function. This is why synthetic peptides are being studied for their potential therapeutic role in treating conditions such as diabetes, cancer, skin aging, and autoimmune diseases.