Synthesis of Biotinyl-TN14003, Anti-HIV Peptide Amide

Introduction CXCR4 is a G-coupled major receptor for the entry of HIV. In 1998 Tamamura et al. reported the identification of the peptide T140, a specific CXCR4 inhibitor that possesses a high level of anti-HIV activity [1]. Since then, further improvements of this compound were achieved, leading to the generation of peptide-amide TN14003, which is far less toxic and more stable in serum [2]. This report describes the optimized solid phase synthesis of TN14003, its Nbiotinylation on resin and the final cyclization through Cys-Cys. The biotinylated analogue can be used as imaging probe, specific for CXCR4 receptors.