Random peptide libraries: a source of specific protein binding molecules.

Libraries of random peptide sequences were constructed and screened to identify peptides that specifically bind to proteins. In one of these about 2 X 10(7) different 15-residue peptide sequences were expressed on the surface of the coliphage M13. Each phage encoded a single random sequence and expressed it as a fusion complex with pIII, a minor coat protein present at five molecules per phage. Phage encoding nine different streptavidin-binding peptide sequences were isolated from this library. The core consensus sequence was His-Pro-Gln and binding of these phage to streptavidin was inhibited by biotin. This type of library makes it possible to identify peptides that bind to proteins (or other macromolecules) that have no previously known affinity for peptides.