Scalable synthesis of an integrin-binding peptide mimetic for biomedical applications

A scalable, solution-phase synthesis of the selectively protected non-peptide RGD (arginine–glycine–aspartic acid) mimetic 6 is described. This synthesis serves as an alternative to the previously described solid-phase synthesis of this compound, thereby making this important integrin-binding mimetic readily accessible. The free carboxylic acid of 6 was conjugated to a protected diamine, followed by global deprotection to give a derivative 27, suitable for immobilization onto amine-reactive surfaces. The RGD mimetic 28 demonstrated superior biological activity in comparison to a native linear RGD peptide and the semi-synthetic cyclic cRGDfK peptide in a cell attachment inhibition assay.