Peculiar stability of amino acids and peptides from a radical perspective

摘要

Free-radical reactions of amino acids and peptides are generally thought of as ubiquitous. They are involved in many metabolic processes and have been associated with a wide variety of pathological conditions such as ageing, inflammation, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Despite these observations, Zac Watts and Chris Easton, from the Research School of Chemistry, ANU, have now found that the amino acid and peptide structural motifs are in fact peculiarly resistant to radical reactions (Watts Z.I., Easton C.J.,J Am.Chem.Soc.2009,131,11323-5).