Selective Alkaline Protease Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Peptide Esters

Abstract

Procedures for preparing C‐terminal free peptides from hydrolysis of its corresponding methyl or benzyl esters catalyzed by alkaline protease has been developed. N‐protected peptides having side‐chain ester protecting groups or successive hydrophobic amino acid residues in its sequence are hydrolyzed selectively at C‐terminal only and leave other bonds (β and γ‐ ester or peptide bonds) intact. Compounds which cause a side reaction in base mediated saponification could be hydrolyzed safely by this procedure. Products of this hydrolysis are useful intermediates for fragments coupling in the solid phase peptide synthesis.