Micro- and macromimetics: Condensation of amino acid derivatives with dienophiles

Summary Heterocycles (pyridines and pyrroles) obtained from amino acid derivatives and unsaturated compounds can be considered as peptidomimetics. These compounds contain amino acid radicals and modified, nonhydrolysable peptide bonds (micromimetics). The polyfunctionality of pyridoxine (one of the most available pyridines, derived from N-formyl -alanine amide/ester) offers the possibility for use in the synthesis of multiple peptides (MPs). In view of the fact that MPs have certain structures and molecular weights and also owing to the proximity of several peptide chains, they may be considered as models of proteins and even of cell surfaces (macromimetics). Dendritic compounds — multiple spherical peptides — most closely imitate globular proteins. The potential for macromimetics to model the various functions of biopolymers is investigated here.