Peptide glossary · Structure and synthesis
Protecting group
A chemical group that blocks reactive sites during synthesis, such as Fmoc or Boc. It is removed at the end. If part of it remains, mass spectrometry shows too high a mass.
In the lab
Remnants of protecting groups are among the typical impurities of synthetic peptides. LC-MS makes them visible through the extra mass.
Read moreHPLC and mass spectrometry for peptides: what they showMore terms: Structure and synthesis
- AcetylationAdding an acetyl group, usually at the N-terminus.
- Aib (aminoisobutyric acid)A non-proteinogenic amino acid with two methyl groups on the alpha carbon.
- AmidationReplacing the C-terminal carboxyl group with an amide.
- AnalogueA molecule that resembles a natural model but is changed on purpose, for example by swapping amino acids or adding a side chain.
- C-terminusThe end of a peptide with the free carboxyl group, on the right of the sequence.
- D-amino acidThe mirror image of the natural L-amino acid.
For laboratory research use only. Not for use in humans or animals.