Pepsin-catalyzed peptide synthesis in biphasic systems.

Pepsin catalyzed peptide synthesis in biphasic systems containing more than 95% (v/v) of organic phase was studied. Good yields were only obtained with more hydrophobic solvents, in spite of the low solubility of the substrates. The effects of the following parameters were also investigated: concentration of amino and carboxylic components, pH and buffer concentration, ratio between the aqueous and organic phases. The influence of different amino acid residues in the P2 position was investigated through the coupling between Z-Xyz-Phe-OH (where Xyz = Ala, Phe, Trp and Tyr) and Phe-OMe.