Synthetic, biologically active amphiphilic peptides.

Amphiphilic peptides typically consist of a peptide portion that may be 5-25 (or more) amino acids in length. The hydrophobic portion may be a single fatty acid residue, but can also be more elaborate. The main focus of this article lies on the family of synthetic anion binders (SATs) of the general structure (R(1))(2)N-COCH(2)OCH(2)CO-(Aaa)(n)-OR(3). The most-common R(1) group is the octadecyl (C(18)H(37)) group. The most studied peptide sequence in this family is (Gly)(3)-Pro-(Gly)(3), although different sequences (and longer and shorter peptides) have been prepared as well. The C-terminal ester residue providing the most effective anion release from liposomes is heptyl (C(7)H(15)), although many others have been examined. The compound (C(18)H(37))(2)N-COCH(2)OCH(2)CO-(Gly)(3)-Pro-(Gly)(3)-OBn (Bn=benzyl) was found to mediate Cl(-) transport in mouse epithelial cells.