Title:Natural Occurring β-Peptides: A Fascinating World of Bioactive Molecules
VOLUME: 14 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Azzurra Stefanucci, Sengul Uysal, Ramazan Ceylan and Gokhan Zengin*
Affiliation:Dipartimento di Farmacia, Universita di Chieti-Pescara , Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Selcuk University, Campus, Konya, Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Selcuk University, Campus, Konya, Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Selcuk University, Campus, Konya
Keywords:β-aminoacids, β-peptides, biological effects, human health, secondary structure.
Abstract:Background: Living organisms are a natural source of β-amino acids and peptides containing
them. Many marine organisms and plants are able to produce by themselves such compounds, e.g.
depsi-peptides and macrocyclic molecules, which possess different biological activities, mostly concerned
to the treatment of human diseases.
Methods: Literature has been collected ranging from 1980 until now; both reviews and research articles
have been carefully considered and cited in our paper.
Results: Literature revealed an increased interest in natural bioactive peptides incorporating β-amino
acids. Several papers focused their attention on structural characteristics of depsipeptides and cyclic
compounds incorporating them in marine organisms, which may influence and determine the specific
biological activity in vivo.
Conclusion: In this brief review, we collect a series of naturally occurring peptides incorporating β-
amino acids, with the aim to update the arsenal of bioactive compounds available, highlighting the significant
structural modifications which are the base of the exerting biological properties.
