Peptide synthesis. Part 9. Solid-phase synthesis of melanin concentrating hormone using a continuous-flow polyamide method

Abstract

Synthesis of the heptadecapeptide melanin concentrating hormone using a novel continuous-flow solid-phase method is described. A composite polydimethylacrylamide–macroporous kieselguhr support was used permitting low pressure flow operation. Fluorenylmethoxycarbonylamino acid anhydrides were used throughout for acylation reactions. The choice of compatible side-chain protecting groups is discussed. The synthetic product showed high melanin-concentrating properties in vitro.