Peptides are a fascinating class of biomolecules with the potential to transform many medical and research fields. They can be produced in a wide range of sequences and purities and can be used to study biological processes or as drug delivery systems. In this special issue four articles highlight new transformative peptide technologies and applications. The first from Professor Marc Vendrell (University of Edinburgh) focuses on the application of cyclic peptides to imaging fluorescent proteins and highlights the versatility and power of this technology. The second article from Dr Craig Jamieson (Strathclyde University) describes the development of stapled peptide analogues of human conotoxin KIIIA and their evaluation as inhibitors of the E2-25K-Ubb + 1 interaction in the Alzheimer’s Disease-associated ubiquitin conjugating enzyme complex. The third article from Dr Chris Coxon (Heriot-Watt University) outlines the use of two-level factorial design to optimise reaction conditions for the stapled peptide synthesis.
The fourth article from Professor Robert Ramage FRS (University of Cambridge) and Dr Nick Read (University of Birmingham) outlines the work of their teams in developing the synthetic peptide hormone GLP-1 for use as an injectable treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity. This innovative medication mimics the action of a naturally occurring peptide in the gut and has revolutionised the pharmaceutical industry.
Food-derived peptides with opioid activity can be generated by digesting the parent protein with digestive enzymes such as pepsin, pepsin followed by trypsin or chymotrypsin, but they are also produced in vivo during fermentation processes such as cheese ripening. As such, these peptides have a high intestinal concentration, which makes them attractive candidates for dietary supplements. They can stimulate the secretion of gut hormones, inhibit the reabsorption of amino acids or act directly on cellular receptors.
While uk peptides have shown promise in a number of areas, further research is needed to determine their effectiveness and safety. For this reason, people should talk to their doctor before taking these products. In the future, researchers may discover other health benefits of peptides, but for now it’s best to stay informed and consult with professionals before experimenting with any supplements. In addition, it is important to consider the side effects of these products before deciding to try them. uk peptides