US Patent 9617309 Proline-locked stapled peptides and uses thereof

The present invention provides a new type of alpha-helix nucleating cross-link (“staple”) formed by olefin metathesis of a proline derivative with an alkenyl side chain and another amino acid derivative with an alkenyl side chain. The proline derivatives as described herein have been found to be strong nucleators of alpha-helix formation. The invention also provides moieties for shielding the free amide N—H's at the N-terminus of an alpha-helix, thereby further stabilizing the helix. The proline derivatives, precursors prior to cross-linking, and the cross-linked peptides are provided as well as methods of using and preparing these compounds and peptides.