Recent applications of enzymatic peptide synthesis

Recent applications of enzyme catalysis in peptide synthesis are reviewed. A brief history of the development of these techniques is presented, and existing strategies and tactics of regio- and stereospecific peptide bond syntheses catalyzed by proteolytic enzymes are summarized. The recent literature (ca. 1987–1992) is surveyed for selected applications of enzyme catalysis to the synthesis of bioactive peptides and analogues, semisynthetic proteins and protein conjugates, and bioactive peptides from recombinant precursors. Newly isolated natural enzymes as well as chemically modified forms and recombinant mutants of the natural enzymes of potential utility in peptide synthesis are also reviewed.