Engineering aapeptides for translational medicine

Abstract

Peptidomimetics, designed to mimic the structure and function of bioactive peptides, have found enormous application in the development of translational medicine. The emergence of novel peptidomimetics will continue to expand their biological applications. We recently have developed a new class of peptidomimetics termed AApeptides in order to advance the field of peptidomimetics. AApeptides have unnatural backbones and are resistant to protease degradation. In addition, they have limitless ability for derivatization. Their synthesis is also straightforward, augmenting their potential in biomedical applications. In this chapter, we try to summarize the chemical development of AApeptides and highlight examples of AApeptides as new unnatural peptidomimetics in the identification of potential therapeutics for translational medicine, such as antimicrobial agents and anticancer agents. At the end, a perspective is also discussed on the future development of AApeptides to fulfill their biological applications.