Title:D-Amino Acids in Peptides from Animals, Including Human: Occurrence, Structure, Bioactivity and Pharmacology
Volume: 21
Issue: 6
Author(s): Elsie C. Jimenez*
Affiliation:
- Department of Physical Sciences, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio, Baguio City 2600,Philippines
Keywords:
D-amino acid, achatin, conotoxin, agatoxin, crustacean hyperglycemic hormone, dermorphin and deltorphin, natriuretic
and defensin-like peptides, fibrinopeptide.
Abstract: All life forms typically possess homochirality, with rare exceptions. In the case of peptides
and proteins, only L-amino acids are known to be encoded by genes. Nevertheless, D-amino acids have
been identified in a variety of peptides, synthesized by animal cells. They include neuroexcitatory and
neuroprotective peptides, cardioexcitatory peptides, hyperglycemic hormones, opioid peptides, antimicrobial
peptides, natriuretic and defensin-like peptides, and fibrinopeptides. This article is a review of
their occurrence, structure and bioactivity. It further explores the pharmacology and potential medical
applications of some of the peptides.