Pseudoprolines as removable turn inducers: tools for the cyclization of small peptides.

The cyclization of small peptides which do not incorporate turn inducers is often difficult. We have developed a method involving the use of removable turn inducers, in the form of pseudoprolines, for the cyclization of difficult peptide sequences. The pseudoprolines induce a cisoid amide bond in the peptide backbone which facilitates cyclization. They are then readily removed to yield a cyclic peptide that does not contain any turn inducers.