The biosynthesis of bioactive cyclic peptides

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In most cases, the proteins in living things consist of strings of amino acids which are linear. In some cases, especially for small proteins or peptides, the amino acids form a circle, giving rise to what are called cyclic peptides. Cyclic peptides are relatively stable in harsh chemical environments and in living things. They often have interesting pharmacological properties. For example, cyclosporin A is a fungal cyclic peptide with immunosuppressant activity and is used for organ transplantation. Many plants in the Caryophyllaceae family, which includes carnation, accumulate cyclic peptides. The cowcockle plant (Saponaria vaccaria), which will be studied in the project, has cyclic peptides with properties that may be useful in controlling blood pressure.