Syntheses of tetra- and pentapeptides from skin extracts of Phyllomedusa rhodei (tryptophyllins).

Syntheses by solution methods of tryptophyllins -4 and -5 (TPH-4 and TPH-5), tetra- and pentapeptides isolated from the skin extracts of the South American frog Phyllomedusa rhodei, are reported. The incorporation of the Pro2-Pro3 sequence into pentapeptides and the use of flash chromatography for purification of intermediates and target compounds are discussed. Preliminary biological results seem to indicate a growth-promoting activity for this peptide family.