L-proline is affected by various factors during polypeptide synthesis, which are as follows:
I. Amino Acid Protecting Groups:
Improper Selection: The amino and carboxyl groups of L-proline usually need to be protected to avoid unnecessary reactions during the synthesis process. If the protecting group is not appropriately selected, it may lead to low protection efficiency, failing to effectively prevent side reactions, or problems may occur during the deprotection step, affecting the structure and purity of the final polypeptide.
Difficulty in Deprotection: Some protecting groups may be difficult to completely remove. Residual protecting groups can affect the connection between L-proline and other amino acids, or change the properties of the polypeptide, thus influencing the effect of polypeptide synthesis.
II. Reaction Solvents:
Solubility Differences: The solubility of L-proline varies in different solvents. If the solvent has poor solubility for it and other reactants, it will result in a too-low concentration of reaction substrates, slow down the reaction rate, and may even prevent the reaction from proceeding fully, reducing the yield of polypeptide synthesis.
Influence of Solvent Properties: Properties such as the polarity and dielectric constant of the solvent will affect the progress of the reaction. For example, polar solvents may affect the interactions between amino acids, thereby influencing the folding and conformation of the polypeptide chain, and further affecting the synthesis effect.
III. Condensing Reagents:
Activity Level: The activity of the condensing reagent is crucial for the condensation reaction between L-proline and other amino acids. A condensing reagent with low activity may not effectively promote the formation of peptide bonds, leading to incomplete reactions, generating more unreacted substrates and by-products, and reducing the synthesis efficiency and purity of the polypeptide.
Selectivity Issue: Some condensing reagents may have different reaction activities towards different types of amino acids. This may lead to selective reactions during the synthesis of polypeptides containing L-proline, affecting the accuracy of the polypeptide sequence and the synthesis effect.
IV. Reaction Temperature:
Too High Temperature: It will accelerate the reaction rate, but it may also increase side reactions, such as the racemization of amino acids. In particular, the chiral center of L-proline may be affected, generating impurities such as D-proline, which will affect the biological activity and structure of the polypeptide.
Too Low Temperature: The reaction rate will slow down, prolonging the synthesis time, and the reaction may be incomplete, which will also affect the yield and quality of the polypeptide.
V. Reaction Time:
Too Short Time: The reaction between L-proline and other amino acids may be incomplete, resulting in insufficient elongation of the polypeptide chain, generating more intermediate products, and reducing the yield of the target polypeptide.
Too Long Time: It may trigger some side reactions. For example, the synthesized polypeptide chain may degrade, or the structure of L-proline may change, affecting the final quality of the polypeptide.
VI. Substrate Concentration:
Too High Concentration: It may cause the reaction system to be overcrowded, with an excessively high frequency of intermolecular collisions, which is likely to trigger side reactions. At the same time, it may also affect the solubility and diffusion rate of the reactants, which is not conducive to the progress of the reaction.
Too Low Concentration: The reaction rate will be limited because the collision opportunities between reactants are reduced, resulting in a lower binding efficiency between L-proline and other amino acids, prolonging the reaction time, and affecting the efficiency and economy of polypeptide synthesis.
VII. Catalysts:
Catalytic Activity: A suitable catalyst can significantly increase the reaction rate of polypeptide synthesis involving L-proline. If the catalytic activity is insufficient, the reaction may not proceed smoothly, resulting in a decrease in yield.
Selectivity: Some catalysts may have selectivity towards specific types of amino acids or reactions. This may affect the reaction pathway and product structure of L-proline in polypeptide synthesis, and further influence the synthesis effect.