How are the peptides synthesized?
Synthesis is carried out using standard Fmoc chemistry. Peptides are assembled amino acid by amino acid.The α-amino Fmoc protection group ensures that at each step only a single amino acid is coupled. Some amino acids require side chain protection. The Fmoc amino acids are purchased with side chain protection where necessary. The Fmoc group is removed after each cycle ie. following coupling of one amino acid thereby exposing a free amino group. The next Fmoc protected amino acid in the sequence is coupled via its carboxy terminus again. After the last coupling cycle when the entire peptide has been assembled, the side chain protection groups are removed.
