Protease-catalyzed synthesis of new hydrophobic dipeptides containing non-proteinogenic amino acids

Several dipeptides containing nonproteinogenic amino acids (especially L-tertiary leucine or L-neopentyglycine) were synthesized enzymatically. Thermolysin was used in solid-to-solid conversions in an equilibrium-controlled reaction while alpha-chymotrypsin was applied in kinetically controlled synthesis. The dipeptide Z-Npg-Npg-NH2 could be obtained using a protease mixture from Streptomyces. The active enzyme has not yet been purified. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.