IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012

C07K - Definition fr

Definition statement

This subclass covers:

General processes for the preparation of peptides

Peptides e.g. oligopeptides, proteins

Immunoglobulins

Carrier-bound or immobilised peptides and preparation thereof

Hybridpeptides

Relationship between large subject matter areas

In class C07 the last place priority rule is used, i.e. in the absence of an indication to the contrary, a compound is classified in the last appropriate subclass.

So proline per se is classified in C07D, while ala-pro is a dipeptide and is classified in C07K.

Subclass C07K is a function oriented entry for the compounds themselves and does not cover the application or use of the compounds under the subclass definition. For classifying such information other entries in IPC exist, for example:

Preservation of bodies of humans or animals or plants or parts thereof; Biocides, e.g. as disinfectants, as pesticides, as herbicides; Pest repellants or attractants; Plant growth regulators are classified in A01N.

Preparations for medical, dental, or toilet purposes are classified in A61K.

Amino acids or derivatives thereof are classified in C07C or C07D.

Multiple classification

Biocidal, pest attractant, or plant growth regulatory activity of chemical compounds or preparations is classified in A01P.

Therapeutic activity of chemical compounds or medicinal preparations is further classified in A61P.

Uses of cosmetics or similar toilet preparations are further classified in A61Q.

References relevant to classification in this subclass

This subclass does not cover:

Peptides containing ß-lactam rings

C07D

Cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring; e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones

C07D

Ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type

C07D 519/02

Enzymes

C12N

Genetic engineering processes for obtaining peptides

C12N 15/00

Preparation of peptides and proteins by fermentation or enzyme-using processes

C12P 21/00

Electrolytic production of organic compounds

C25B 3/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Peptides in foodstuffs

A23

Macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units in their molecules, i.e. when the preparation does not provide for a specific, but for a random sequence of the amino acid units, homopolyamides and block copolyamids derived from amino acids

C08G 69/00

Macromolecular products derived from proteins

C08H 1/00

Preparation of glue or gelatine

C09H

Micro-organisms

C12N

Compositions for measuring or testing processes involving enzymes

C12Q

Investigation or analysis of biological material

G01N 33/00

Special rules of classification

In this subclass, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, a compound is classified in the last appropriate place.

Fragments of peptides modified by removal or addition of amino acids, by substitution of amino acids by others, or by combination of these modifications are classified as the parent peptides. However, fragments of peptides having only four or less amino acids are also classified in group C07K 5/00.

Peptides prepared by chemical processes or having an amino acid sequence derived from naturally occurring peptides are classified with the naturally occurring peptide.

Peptides prepared by recombinant DNA technology are not classified according to the host, but according to the original peptide expressed, e.g. HIV peptide expressed in E. coli is classified with HIV peptides.

Glossary of terms

In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Amino acid

compounds in which at least one amino acid group and at least one carboxylic group are bound to the same carbon skeleton and the nitrogen atom of the amino group may form a ring

Normal peptide link

a link between an alpha-amino group of an amino acid and the carboxylic group – in position 1 – of another alpha-amino acid

Abnormal peptide link

a link where at least one of the linked amino acids is not an alpha-amino acid or a link formed by at least one carboxyl or amino group being a part of the side chain of an alpha-amino acid

Peptides

compounds containing at least two amino acid units, which are bound through at least one normal peptide link, including oligopeptides, polypeptides and proteins, where

'''(i) Linear peptides

may comprise rings formed through S-S bridges, or through an hydroxy or a mercapto group of an hydroxy- or a mercapto-amino acid and the carboxyl group of another amino acid (e.g. peptide lactones) but do not comprise rings which are formed only through peptide links

'''(ii) Cyclic peptides

peptides comprising at least one ring formed only through peptide links; the cyclisation may occur only through normal peptide links or through abnormal peptide links, e.g. through the 4-amino group of 2,4-diamino-butanoic acid. Thus, cyclic compounds in which at least one link in the ring is a non-peptide link are considered as "linear peptides"

'''(iii) Depsipeptides

compounds containing a sequence of at least two alpha-amino acids and at least one alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acid, which are bound through at least one normal peptide link and ester links, derived from the hydroxy carboxylic acids, where

''''''(a) Linear depsipeptides

may comprise rings formed through S-S bridges, or through an hydroxy or a mercapto group of an hydroxy- or mercapto-amino acid and the carboxyl group of another amino- or hydroxy-acid but do not comprise rings formed only through peptide or ester links derived from hydroxy carboxylic acids, e.g. Gly-Ala-Gly-OCH2CO2H and Gly-OCH2CO-Ala-Gly are considered as "linear depsipeptides, but HOCH2CO-Gly-Ala-Gly does not contain an ester link, and is thus a derivative of Gly-Ala-Gly which is covered by C07K 5/08

''''''(b) Cyclic depsipeptides

are peptides containing at least one ring formed only through peptide or ester links - derived from hydroxy carboxylic acids -, e.g. Gly-Ala-Gly-OCH2CO

'''(iv) hybrid peptides

are peptides produced through fusion or covalent binding of two or more heterologous peptides

Immunoglobulins

proteins produced by B cells, made up of two identical heavy and two identical light chains, held together by interchain disulfide bonds

Antibodies

immonuglobins which interact with antigens

Monoclonal antibodies

antibodies produced from a single clone of cells, and reactive with a single antigen

Polyclonal antibodies

antibodies produced by a variety of cell clones, and reactive with a variety of antigens or with a variety of antigenic determinants (epitopes) on a single antigen