Basic Protein and Peptide Protocols offers an excellent collection of reproducible, step-by-step laboratory methods covering three major areas: (1) the quantitation and characterization of proteins, (2) the electrophoretic and blotting procedures used in protein isolation and characterization, and (3) the analysis of protein and peptide structure. THOUSANDS of labs are already using Basic Protein and Peptide Protocols-you should be too!

This book is dedicated to the characterization of peptides and their applications for the study of biochemical systems. The contributing authors are all leaders in the field of peptide research. Part I, Characterization, presents the most recent advances in select analytical techniques. Part II, Application, presents a variety of specific applications for synthetic peptides. This book is an indispensable aid in the pursuit of new directions in peptide research.

During the course of evolution, an imbalance was created between the rate of vertebrate genetic adaptation and that of the lower forms of living organisms, such as bacteria and viruses. This imbalance has given the latter the advantage of generating, relatively quickly, molecules with unexpected structures and features that carry a threat to vertebrates. To compensate for their weakness, vertebrates have accelerated their own evolutionary processes, not at the level of whole organism, but in specialized cells containing the genes that code for antibody molecules or for T-cell receptors. That is, when an immediate requirement for molecules capable of specific interactions arose, nature has preferred to speed up the mode of Darwinian evolution in pref- ence to any other approach (such as the use of X-ray diffraction studies and computergraphic analysis). Recently, Darwinian rules have been adapted for test tube research, and the concept of selecting molecules having particular characteristics from r- dom pools has been realized in the form of various chemical and biological combinatorial libraries. While working with these libraries, we noticed the interesting fact that when combinatorial libraries of oligopeptides were allowed to interact with different selector proteins, only the actual binding sites of these proteins showed binding properties, whereas the rest of the p- tein surface seemed "inert. " This seemingly common feature of protein- having no extra potential binding sites--was probably selected during evolution in order to minimize nonspecific interactions with the surrounding milieu.

Peptide Nucleic Acids, Second Edition has been extensively revised, updated, and enlarged to contain many new chapters covering the most recent topics and applications in this fast-moving field. The book contains state-of-the-art protocols and applications on all aspects of peptide nucleic acids. Concepts are clearly explained with each chapter containing concise background information. Written by leading experts in the field, the book is an invaluable and complete reference work on this novel and exciting area.

The introduction of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to the analysis of peptides and proteins some 25 years ago revolutionized the biological sciences by enabling the rapid and sensitive analysis of peptide and protein structure through the exquisite speed, sensitivity, and resolution that can be easily obtained. Today, HPLC in its various modes has become the pivotal technique in the characterization of peptides and proteins and currently plays a critical role in both our understanding of biological processes and in the development of peptide- and protein-based pharmaceuticals. The number of applications of HPLC in peptide and protein purification continues to expand at an extremely rapid rate. Solid-phase peptide synthesis and recombinant DNA techniques have allowed the production of large quantities of peptides and proteins that need to be highly purified. HPLC techniques are also used extensively in the isolation and characterization of novel proteins that will become increasingly important in the postgenomic age. The design of multidimensional purification schemes to achieve high levels of product purity further demonstrates the power of HPLC techniques not only in the characterization of cellular events, but also in the production of pepti- and protein-based therapeutics. HPLC continues to be at the heart of the analytical techniques with which scientists in both academia and in industry must arm themselves to be able to fully characterize the identity, purity, and potency of peptides and proteins.

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) have now existed for slightly more than ten years, with the interest in and applications of this pseudopeptide DNA mimic steadily increasing during the entire period. PNAs have rapidly attracted the attention of scientists from a diversity of fields ranging from (bio)organic and biophysical chemistry to prebiotic evolution, and from molecular biology to genetic diagnostics and drug development. Many of the applications take advantage of the unique properties of PNA—an uncharged pseudopeptide—that distinguish this DNA mimic from more traditional DNA analogs. Rather than trying to create a comprehensive collection of all published methods and protocols involving PNA—many of which have not yet been validated— I have decided to concentrate on select protocols that are either very well established by several groups around the world, such as PCR-clamping and in situ hybridization, or on new methods that may have broader future impact. Basic methods for PNA oligomer synthesis and analyses have also been included. I am very grateful to those friends and colleagues who have enthusiastically contributed their work, discussions, and writing, and thereby made this book possible. Peter E. Nielsen v Contents Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v Contributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix IINTRODUCTION 1 PNA Technology Peter E. Nielsen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 II CHEMISTRY 2 Solid Phase Synthesis of PNA Oligomers Frederik Beck. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 3 Synthesis of PNA-Peptide Conjugates Satish Kumar Awasthi and Peter E. Nielsen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 4 Parallel Synthesis of PNA-Peptide Conjugate Libraries Satish Kumar Awasthi and Peter E. Nielsen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

As the technology base for the preparation of increasingly c- plex peptides has improved, the methods for their purification and ana- sis have also been improved and supplemented. Peptide science routinely utilizes tools and techniques that are common to organic chemistry, p- tein chemistry, biophysical chemistry, enzymology, pharmacology, and molecular biology. A fundamental understanding of each of these areas is essential for interpreting all of the data that a peptide scientist may see. The purpose of Peptide Analysis Protocols is to provide the novice with sufficient practical information necessary to begin developing useful analysis and separation skills. Understanding and developing these skills will ultimately yield a scientist with broadened knowledge and good problem-solving abilities. Although numerous books that address d- ferent specialties, such as HPLC, FAB-MS, CE, and NMR, have been written, until now no single volume has reviewed all of these techniques with a focus on "getting started" in separation and analysis of peptides. This volume will also provide those who already possess practical knowledge of the more advanced aspects of peptide science with detailed applications for each of these protocols. Because the chapters have been written by researchers active in each of the fields that they discuss, a great deal of information on and insight into solution of real problems that they have encountered is presented. Examplary results are clearly demonstrated and discussed. For more advanced investi- tions, supplementary experiments are often suggested.

This book provides a variety of procedures for synthetically producing peptides and their derivatives, ensuring the kind of precision that is of paramount importance for successful synthesis. Numerous techniques relevant to drugs and vaccines are explored, such as conjugation and condensation methodologies. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Peptide Synthesis: Methods and Protocols serves as an essential guide to the many crucial processes that will allow researchers to efficiently prepare, purify, characterize, and use peptides for chemical, biochemical, and biological studies.

This volume explores diverse protocols for peptide conjugation, and provides thoroughly tested and scientifically valid techniques that allow researchers and scientists to prepare, purify, characterize, and use peptide conjugation methods for chemical, biochemical, and biological studies. Some of the topics discussed in this book are gold nanoparticles, proteins, pegylated lipids, and vitamins. Chapters also cover enzymatic ligation using sortase A, construction of a phage-displayed cyclic-peptide library, quantum dot-peptide conjugates, and preparation of lipopeptides by CLipPA chemistry. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Peptide Conjugation: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for experienced researches and undergraduate students alike who are interested in learning more about this exciting and developing field.