Solid-phase synthesis target selection

Ribonuclease A (RNase A) was selected as the target enzyme for solid-phase synthesis because its sequence was known (Scheme S), 22 25 and an X-ray structure had been deduced. 24 Importantly, it had been shown that this 124-residue protein could be reduced and unfolded and then reoxidized to re-form the four disulfide bonds with recovery of full enzymatic activity. 25 ... 

The phytoalexin elicitor (PE) family of /1-D-glucans (Fig. 5) was selected as a target because these oligosaccharides had been synthesized previously in solution48,49 and on the solid support.50,51 It was our intention to investigate not only the application of glycosyl phosphates to automated solid-phase synthesis, but also to compare our method to the previously described reports of PE syntheses. 

The principle of in vitro selection is governed by a number of the same principles that apply to the Darwinian theory of evolution, as shown in Figure 2. First, the random sequence DNA is prepared by automated solid-phase synthesis. A mixture of four types of nucleotide is added in a stepwise condensation reaction process. When necessary, this DNA library may be converted to an RNA library by in vitro transcription or to a peptide library by in vitro translation. Second, the prepared DNA, RNA, or peptide library is subjected to affinity selection, and the molecules that bind to a target molecule are selected. Because only a very small part of the library is selected in each selection, the selected fraction is then amplified by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or a reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) technique. Successive selection and amplification cycles bring about an exponential increase in the abundance of the targeting DNA, RNA, or peptide until it dominates the population. 

The author s own interest in this area includes new functional polymers for solid phase synthesis [11-13], polymers with molecularly imprinted substrate selectivity [14], polymer-supported transition metal catalysts [15], novel polymers of potential interest for electrocatalysis [16], targeting of colloidal drug carriers [17, 18], molecular composites [19], and biocompatible surfaces [20]. These studies have led to, among other things, a uniquely versatile method of polymer synthesis based on the chemistry of activated acrylates, i.e. polymer synthesis via activated esters. Various aspects of polymers and copolymers of activated (meth)acrylates have also been investigated in this and several other laboratories. 

Combinatorial solid-phase synthesis is not limited to any number or quantity of compounds. A thoughtful approach to the design of chemical libraries, selection of the most suitable instrumentation, and adequate identification and purification of the target compounds must be applied to achieve rewarding results. In summary, combinatorial chemistry is a tool that can accelerate the pace of a project and substantially contribute to its success. 

---