Solvent-mediated conformational transition in β-alanine containing cyclic peptides. VIII

In the present paper we describe the solution nmr structural analysis and restrained molecular dynamic simulation of the cyclic pentapeptide cyclo-(Pro-Phe-Phe-β-Ala-β-Ala). The conformational analysis carried out in CD₃CN and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solutions by nmr spectroscopy was based on interproton distances derived from rotating frame nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy spectra and homonuclear coupling constants. A restrained molecular dynamic simulation in vacuo was also performed to build refined molecular models. The molecule is present in both solvent systems as two slowly interconverting conformers, characterized by a cis-trans isomerism around the β-Ala⁵-Pro¹ peptide bond. In CD₃CN solution, the conformer with a cis peptide bond is quite similar to that observed in the solid state, while the conformer containing all trans peptide bonds is characterized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond stabilizing a C₁₀- and a C₁₃-ring structure. In DMSO solution, the trans isomer is partly similar to that observed in CD₃CN solution while the cis isomer is different from that observed in the solid state. The effect of the solvent in stabilizing different conformations was also investigated in DMSO-CD₃CN solvent mixtures. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

β-Alanine containing cyclic peptides with predetermined turned structure. V

In the present paper we describe the synthesis, purification, single crystal x-ray analysis, and solution structural characterization by nmr spectroscopy, combined with restrained molecular dynamic simulations, of the cyclic hexapeptide cyclo-(Pro-Phe-β-Ala-Phe-Phe-β-Ala). The peptide was synthesized by classical solution methods and the cyclization of the free hexapeptide was accomplished in good yields in diluted methylenechloride solution using N, N-dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁ from methanol/ethyl acetate. The molecule adopts in the solid state a conformation characterized by cis β-Ala⁶-Pro¹ peptide bond. The α-amino acid residues are at the corner positions of turned structures. The Pro¹-Phe² segment is incorporated in a pseudo type I β-turn, while Phe⁴-Phe⁵ is in a typical type I β-turn. Assignment of all ¹H and ¹³C resonances was achieved by homo- and heteronuclear two-dimensional techniques in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solutions. The conformational analysis was based on inter-proton distances derived from rotating frame nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy spectra and homonuclear coupling constants. Restrained molecular dynamic simulation in vacuo was also performed to built refined molecular models. The molecule is present in DMSO solution as two slowly interconverting conformers, characterized by a cis-tran isomerism around the β-Ala⁶-Pro¹ peptide bond. This work confirms our expectations on the low propensity of β-alanyl residues to be positioned at the corners of turned structure. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Experimental investigations on the backbone folding of proline-containing model tripeptides

Some proline-containing tripeptides with the general formulas R⁰CO-L -Pro-X-NHR³ (X = Gly,Sar,L -Ala,D -Ala) and R⁰CO-X-L -Pro-NHR³ (X = Gly,L -Ala,D -Ala) have been investigated in solution by ir and ¹H-nmr spectroscopies. Their favored conformational states depend mainly on both the primary structure and the chiral sequence of the molecules. In inert solvents the βII-folding mode is the most favored conformation for the L -Pro-D -Ala and L -Pro-Gly tripeptides, while the βII′-turn is largely preferred by D -Ala-L -Pro derivatives. Under the same conditions only about one-third of the whole conformers of L -Pro-L -Ala molecules adopts the βI-folding mode. Semiopened C₇C₅ and C₅C₇ conformations are appreciably populated in the L -Pro-L -Ala sequence, on the one hand, and in the Gly-L -Pro and L -Ala-L -Pro derivatives, on the other hand. In L -Pro-Sar and X-L -Pro models, the cis–trans isomerism around the middle tertiary amide function is observed. Thus cis L -Pro-Sar and L -Ala-L -Pro conformers are folded by an intramolecular i + 3 → i hydrogen bond, whereas cis D -Ala-L -Pro and Gly-L -Pro molecules accommodate an open conformation. In dimethylsulfoxide the βII- and βII′-folding modes are not essentially destabilized, as contrasted with the βI conformation, which is less populated. In water solution all the above-mentioned conformations, with the possible exception of the βII′-folding mode for D -Ala-L -Pro molecules, seem to vanish. Solute conformations are also compared with the crystal structures of four proline-containing tripeptides.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance study of ring conformations of cyclic tetradepsipeptide AM-toxins and related peptides

Cyclic tetradepsipeptides, AM-toxin I and II, are the host-specific phytotoxins of Alternaria mali. In order to elucidate conformation-toxicity relationships, we analyzed the 270-MHz proton nmr spectra of AM-toxins and hydrogenated analogs, (D -Ala²)AM-toxin I (toxic) and (L -Ala²)AM-toxin I (not toxic), in (C²H₃)₂SO. These cyclic tetradepsipeptides do not contain N-substituted amino acid residues, and all the peptide and ester groups have been found to be transoid. Two conformers with very unequal populations have been found for AM-toxin I and II; the C^β?C^α? C?O conformations of the Dha² residues are nonplanar S-trans in the major conformer and nonplanar S-cis in the minor conformer. Only one ring conformation has been found for each of (L -Ala²) and (D -Ala²)AM-toxin I. (L -Ala²)AM-toxin I takes a C₄-type ring conformation; all the C?O groups and C^α-H bonds are oriented to the same side of the ring. (D -Ala²)AM-toxin I takes a new ring conformation; the side chain and C?O group of the L -Amp¹ residue are oriented to the same side of the ring. This new conformation is also found for the major conformers of AM-toxin I and II and thus appears to be required for the toxicity. The ring conformations of Tyr(OCH₃)¹-bearing analog tetradepsipeptides have been found to be much the same as those of Amp¹-bearing depsipeptides. Furthermore, on the basis of the two distinct conformations of (D -Ala²) and (L -Ala²)AM-toxin I, an empirical rule is proposed for the stable ring conformations of cyclic tetra-D ,L -peptides, not containing N-substituted amino acid residues.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies of Zeolite-A. IV. Structure and Dynamics of NH4 + ions in a Rigid Dehydrated Zeolite-A

Abstract

In recent papers [1–3] we reported molecular dynamics simulation studies of ions and water molecules adsorbed in a rigid zeolite-A framework using a simple Lennard-Jones potential plus Coulomb potential with Ewald summation to investigate the structure and dynamics of the adsorbates. In the present paper the same technique is applied to study the local structure and dynamics of NH₄ ⁺ ions in a rigid dehydrated zeolite-A. During the preliminary equilibration, the unstable NH₄(4) type ion (the 12th ion) is pushed down to near a more stable 6-ring position in the α-cage that is already associated with an NH₄(1) type ion (the 1st) in the β-cage, which moves to another 6-ring position in the β-cage that is already associated with an NH₄(2) type ion (the 7th) in the α-cage. Calculated x, y, and z coordinates of some NH₄ ⁺ ions are in good agreement with those obtained from an X-ray diffraction experiment except that no NH₄(4) type ion is found and there are six NH₄(2) type ions instead of 0.5 and 5.5 occupancy. The analyses of calculated interatomic distances and time correlation functions of these ions indicate that the NH₄(1 – 1) and NH₄(3) type ions are associated loosely with only one O (3) atom of the 6-ring and with only one O (1) atom of the 8-ring windows, respectively, while the NH₄(1–2) and NH₄(2) type ions are associated strongly with two or three O (3) atoms of the 6-ring windows in the α- and β-cages, respectively. The analysis of hydrogen bond time correlation functions of these ions indicate that about one, two or three, three, and one hydrogen bond of each NH₄(1–1), NH₄(1–2), NH₄(2) and NH₄(3) type ion is kept for 1.4, 21, 75, and 1.4 ps, respectively, before breakup of the hydrogen bond occurs and significant exchange of O atom hydrogen-bonded to the ion.     

Development of covalent antagonists for β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors

The selective covalent tethering of ligands to a specific GPCR binding site has attracted considerable interest in structural biology, molecular pharmacology and drug design. We recently reported on a covalently binding noradrenaline analog (FAUC37) facilitating crystallization of the β₂-adrenergic receptor (β₂AR^H2.64C) in an active state. We herein present the stereospecific synthesis of covalently binding disulfide ligands based on the pharmacophores of adrenergic β₁- and β₂ receptor antagonists. Radioligand depletion experiments revealed that the disulfide-functionalized ligands were able to rapidly form a covalent bond with a specific cysteine residue of the receptor mutants β₁AR^I2.64C and β₂AR^H2.64C. The propranolol derivative (S)-1a induced nearly complete irreversible blockage of the β₂AR^H2.64C within 30 min incubation. The CGP20712A-based ligand (S)-4 showed efficient covalent blocking of the β₂AR^H2.64C at very low concentrations. The analog (S)-5a revealed extraordinary covalent cross-linking at the β₁AR^I2.64C and β₂AR^H2.64C mutant while retaining a 41-fold selectivity for the β₁AR wild type over β₂AR. These compounds may serve as valuable molecular tools for studying β₁/β₂ subtype selectivity or investigations on GPCR trafficking and dimerization.     

Site-directed affinity-labeling of delta opioid receptors by

The S-3-nitro-2-pyridinesulfenyl (SNpys) group in an affinity ligand can bind to a free thiol group of a cysteine residue in a target receptor molecule, forming a disulfide bond via the thiol-disulfide exchange reaction. SNpys-containing Leu-enkephalin analogues of [-Ala², Leu⁵]-enkephalyl-Cys(Npys)⁶ and [-Ala²,Leu(CH₂SNpys)⁵]enkephalin, and dynorphin A analogues of [-Ala²,Cys(Npys)¹²]dynorphin A-(1-13) amide and [-Ala²,Cys(Npys)⁸]dynorphin A-(1-9) amide have been found to affinity-label all of the δ, μ (rat brain), and κ (guinea pig brain) opioid receptor subtypes. In this study, using these chemically synthesized SNpys-containing analogues, we attempted to identify the analogues that affinity-label the cysteine residue at position 60 of the δ opioid receptor. We first established the assay procedure, principally based on the receptor binding assay to use COS-7 cells expressing the δ opioid receptor. Then, using a mutant δ receptor with the Cys60→Ala substitution, we assayed the SNpys-containing analogues for their specific affinity-labeling. [-Ala²,Cys(Npys)¹²]dynorphin A-(1-13) amide was found to have drastically reduced labeling activity for this mutant receptor as compared to its activity for the wild-type δ receptor. Other analogues exhibited almost the same activity for both the wild-type and mutant δ receptors. These results indicate that the δ-Cys60 residue has a free thiol group, which is labeled by [-Ala²,Cys(Npys)¹²]dynorphin A-(1-13) amide.     

Experimental study on aggregation of model monopeptide molecules: 6. A model for peptide β-structures?

Homo- and hetero-aggregates of monopeptide molecules Bu^tCONHCHRCONHPrⁱ have been studied by ¹H-n.m.r. Two pairing modes of the molecules are found for both types of aggregate, according to the bulkiness of side chains R. Their hydrogen bond patterns are closely related to the interstrand interactions in β_a (antiparallel) and β_p (parallel) sheets of globular proteins. The pairing mode Γ₁₄ of these molecules, similar to that of the residues in β_a-structures, is the most stable disposition if the side-chains are not C^β or C^γ-branched simultaneously. When both side chains are bulky C^β or C^γ-branched groups, the pairing mode Γ₁₂ found in β_p-structures is favoured. This observation is in agreement with the lower content of β_p compared to β_a-structure in globular proteins and the preferential occurrence of C^β and C^γ-branched residues in β_p structures.     

β-Alanine containing cyclic peptides with turned structure: The “pseudo type II β-turn.” VI

In the present paper we describe the synthesis, purification, single crystal x-ray analysis, and nmr solution characterization, combined with restrained molecular dynamic simulations, of the cyclic hexapeptide cyclo-(L -Pro-L -Phe-β-Ala)₂. The peptide was synthesized by classical solution methods and the cyclization of the free hexapeptide was accomplished in good yields in diluted methylene chloride solution using N,N-dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁ from methanol-dichloro-methane solution. The two identical halves of the molecule adopt in the solid state two different conformations. One β-Ala-L -Pro peptide bond is trans, while the second is cis. The molecule is present in dimethylsulfoxide d₆ solutions as a mixture of conformational families. One of these corresponds to a C₂ symmetrical molecule with both β-Ala-Pro cis peptide bonds, while the second major conformation is very similar to that observed in the solid state. All Pro-Phe segments, both in the solid state and the symmetrical and unsym-metrical solution conformations, display ?,ψ angles close to that of position i + 1 and i + 2 of type II β-turns. In addition, the segments preceeded by a trans β-Ala-Pro peptide bond are characterized by a typical i ← i + 3 hydrogen bond, which is absent in the conformer containing a cis β-Ala-Pro peptide bond. The latter conformation corresponds to a new structural domain we define as the “pseudo type II β-turn.” © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Conformational behaviour of A cyclolinopeptide a analogue: Two-dimensional NMR study of cyclo(Pro1-Pro-Phe-Phe-Ac6c-IIe-ala-Val8)

The cyclic octapeptide cyclo[-Pro¹-Pro-Phe-Phe-Ac₆c-Ile-ala-Val⁸-] [C₈-Ac₆c], containing the Pro¹-Pro-Phe-Phe sequence, followed by a bulky helicogenic C^α,α-dialkylated glycine residue Ac₆c (1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid), and a _D-Ala residue at position 7 has been synthesized. This cyclic peptide is a deletion analogue of the naturally occurring cyclic nonapeptide cyclolinopeptide A (CLA). It has been designed with the aim of studying the role that the Ac₆c and _D-Ala residues play on the conformational behaviour of the whole molecule and their influence on the conformation of the Pro¹-Pro-Phe-Phe sequence when compared with cyclolinopeptide A. C₈Ac₆c has been investigated in chloroform and acetonitrile solutions by 2D NMR techniques. Only one set of sharp signals is observed in both solvents. This evidence strongly supports the hypothesis that only one conformational state exists in the chosen solvents. The interpretation of the experimental data points to the existence for C₈-Ac₆c of a very rigid structure stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The measured NOE effects allow the calculation of internuclear distances, which have been used as restraints in molecular dynamic calculations. The proposed conformation of the molecule shows that the Pro-Pro-Phe segment retains the conformation observed in natural CLA both in solution and in the solid state and that the Ac₆c residue indeed reinforces the ring rigidity not permitting the formation of any appropriate cavity in which inorganic cations could be complexed.     

Conformational energy studies on N-methylated analogs of thyrotropin releasing hormone, enkephalin, and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone

Empirical conformational energy calculations have been carried out for N-methyl derivatives of alanine and phenylalanine dipeptide models and N-methyl-substituted active analogs of three biologically active peptides, namely thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), enkephalin (ENK), and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). The isoenergetic contour maps and the local dipeptide minima obtained, when the peptide bond (ω) preceding the N-methylated residue is in the trans configuration show that (1) N-methylation constricts the conformational freedom of both the ith and (i + 1)th residues; (2), the lowest energy position for both residues occurs around ? = ?135° ± 5° and ψ = 75° ± 5°, and (3) the α_L conformational state is the second lowest energy state for the (i + 1)th residue, whereas for the ith residue the C₅ (extended) conformation is second lowest in energy. When the peptide bond (ω_i) is in the cis configuration the ith residue is energetically forbidden in the range ? = 0° to 180° and ψ = ?180° to +180°. Conformations of low energy for ω_i = 0° are found to be similar to those obtained for the trans peptide bond. In all the model systems (irrespective of cis or trans), the α_R conformational state is energetically very high. Significant deviations from planarity are found for the peptide bond when the amide hydrogen is replaced by a methyl group. Two low-energy conformers are found for [(N-Me)His²]TRH. These conformers differ only in the ? and ψ values at the (N-Me)His² residue. Among the different low-energy conformers found for each of the ENK analogs [D -Ala²,(N-Me)Phe⁴, Met⁵]ENK amide and [D -Ala²,(N-Me)Met⁵]ENK amide, one low-energy conformer was found to be common for both analogs with respect to the side-chain orientations. The stability of the low-energy structures is discussed in the light of the activity of other analogs. Two low-energy conformers were found for [(N-Me)Leu⁷]LHRH. These conformations differ in the types of bend around the positions 6 and 7 of LHRH. One bend type is eliminated when the active analog [D -Ala⁶,(M-Me)Leu⁷]LHRH is considered.     

Association of neighboring β-strands of outer membrane protein A in lipid bilayers revealed by site-directed fluorescence quenching

We present a detailed study on the formation of neighboring β-strands during the folding of a monomeric integral membrane protein of the β-barrel type. β-Strand and β-barrel formations were investigated for the eight-stranded transmembrane domain of outer membrane protein A (OmpA) with single-tryptophan (W), single-cysteine (C) OmpA mutants. Based on the OmpA structure, W and C were introduced in two neighboring β-strands oriented toward the hydrocarbon core of the membrane. Replaced residue pairs were closer to either the periplasmic turns (named cis-side) or the outer loops (named trans-side) of the strand. W_nC_m OmpA mutants containing W at position n and C at position m along the polypeptide chain were labeled at the C by a nitroxyl spin label, which is a short-range fluorescence quencher. To monitor the association of neighboring β-strands, we determined the proximity between fluorescent W and labeled C in OmpA folding experiments by intramolecular fluorescence quenching. Formation of native β-strand contacts in folding experiments required the lipid membrane. Residues in the trans-side of strands β₁, β₂, and β₃, represented by mutants W₁₅C₃₅ (β₁β₂, trans) and W₅₇C₃₅ (β₃β₂, trans), reached close proximity prior to residues in the N(β₁)- and C(β₈)-terminal strands as examined for mutants W₁₅C₁₆₂ (β₁β₈, trans) and W₇C₁₇₀ (β₁β₈, cis). Tryptophan and cysteine converged slightly faster in W₁₅C₁₆₂ (β₁β₈, trans) than in W₇C₁₇₀ (β₁β₈, cis). The last folding step was observed for residues at the cis-ends of strands β₁ and β₂ for the mutant W₇C₄₃ (β₁β₂, cis). The data also demonstrate that the neighboring β-strands associate upon insertion into the hydrophobic core of the lipid bilayer.     

Conformation of sequential and random copolypeptides of lysine and alanine in sodium dodecyl sulfate solution

A series of sequential polypeptides, (Lys_i-Ala_j)_n, and random copolypeptides, (Lys^x, Ala^y)_n, were synthesized. The competitive effect of Ala, a helix former, and Lys, whose homopolymer has a β-form in neutral NaDodSO₄ solution, was determined by CD and absorption spectroscopy. All the polypeptides studied were unordered in neutral solution without the surfactant. Of the six sequential polypeptides only (Lys-Ala)_n adopted a stable β-form in NaDodSO₄ solution. Most striking is the difference between this polypeptide, (Lys₂-Ala₂)_n and (Lys^x, Ala^y)_n, even though they all have equimolar Lys and Ala. (Lys₂-Ala₂)_n was partially helical in 2.5–5 mM NaDodSO₄ but approached the unordered form in 50 mM NaDodSO₄, whereas (Lys⁵⁰, Ala⁵⁰)_n was completely helical in all NaDodSO₄ concentrations. Even Lysrich (Lys₂-Ala)_n and (Lys₃-Ala)_n formed a partial helix and a trace of the β-form, respectively, in low NaDodSO₄ concentrations; both reverted to the unordered form in high NaDodSO₄ concentrations. These results can be explained by Pauling-Corey's model for β-pleated sheets. Only (Lys-Ala)_n has all DodSO-bound Lys⁺ residues on one side and Ala residues on the other side of the polypeptide chain. They can nestle quiet efficiently in a β-sheet and between neighboring β-sheets. Our results further imply that random copolypeptides are not completely random; they comprise varying segments of (Lys_k-Ala_m), where k and m could vary from zero to a small integer.     

Synthesis and Antithrombin Activity of Phosphoalanine-Containing Peptides

Boc/Tos-L-Phe-L-Arg-Xaa tripeptides (where Xaa = L-Ala-OBu ^t , L-Ala, or DL-Ala ^P (OC₂H₅)₂) were synthesized by conventional methods of peptide synthesis in solution. Special features of their interaction with thrombin and trypsin were studied. Unlike trypsin, thrombin did not catalyze the hydrolysis of the L-Arg–L-Ala ^P (OC₂H₅)₂ bond. The Tos-L-Phe-L-Arg-DL-Ala ^P (OC₂H₅)₂ peptide was the most active inhibitor of thrombin among all the compounds studied. The relationship between the structure and inhibitory action of the synthesized peptides is discussed.²     

Conformational Characterization of the 1-Aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic Acid Residue in Model Peptides

A series of N- and C-protected, monodispersed homo-oligopeptides (to the dodecamer level) from the small-ring alicyclic C^α,α-dialkylated glycine 1-aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid (Ac₄c) and two Ala/Ac₄c tripeptides were synthesized by solution methods and fully characterized. The conformational preferences of all the model peptides were determined in deuterochloroform solution by FT-IR absorption and ¹H-NMR. The molecular structures of the amino acid derivatives Z-Ac₄c-OH and Z₂-Ac₄c-OH, the tripeptides Z-(Ac₄c)₃-OtBu, Z-Ac₄c-(L -Ala)₂-OMe and Z-L -Ala-Ac₄c-L -Ala-OMe, and the tetrapeptide Z-(Ac₄c)₄-OtBu were determined in the crystal state by X-ray diffraction. The average geometry of the cyclobutyl moiety of the Ac₄c residue was assessed and the τ(N–C^α–C′) bond angle was found to be significantly expanded from the regular tetrahedral value. The conformational data are strongly in favour of the conclusion that the Ac₄c residue is an effective β-turn and helix former. A comparison with the structural propensities of α-aminoisobutyric acid, the prototype of C^α,α-dialkylated glycines, and the other extensively investigated members of the family of 1-aminocycloalkane-1-carboxylic acids (Ac_nc, with n=3, 5–8) is made and the implications for the use of the Ac₄c residue in conformationally constrained peptide analogues are briefly examined. © 1997 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

Ribbon structure stabilized by C10 and C12 turns in αγ hybrid peptide

The present study describes the synthesis and crystallographic analysis of αγ hybrid peptides, Boc‐Gpn‐L‐Pro‐NHMe ( 1 ), Boc‐Aib‐Gpn‐L‐Pro‐NHMe ( 2 ), and Boc‐L‐Pro‐Aib‐Gpn‐L‐Pro‐NHMe ( 3 ). Peptides 1 and 2 adopt expanded 12‐membered (C₁₂) helical turn over γα segment. Peptide 3 promotes the ribbon structure stabilized by type II β‐turn (C₁₀) followed by the expanded C₁₂ helical γα turn. Both right‐handed and left‐handed helical conformations for Aib residue are observed in peptides 2 and 3 , respectively Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformational mimicry: Synthesis and solution conformation of a cyclic somatostatin hexapeptide containing a tetrazole cis amide bond surrogate

Potent, cyclic hexapeptide analogues of somatostatin are generally believed to adopt some common secondary structural features: a II′ β turn at one end of the cycle, and a type VI turn with a cis amide bond at the other. A proposed cis amide surrogate, the 1,5-disubstituted tetrazole, has been placed into a cyclic hexapeptide analog of somatostatin in order to constrain the putative cis amide bond. The final cyclization was done by either chemical or enzymatic means. The product, cyclo(Ala⁶-Tyr⁷-D -Trp⁸-Lys⁹-Val¹⁰-Phe¹¹-Ψ[CN₄]), was found to have 83% of the activity of somatostatin. Solution nmr analysis in DMSO/water revealed that the backbone as well as side chain χ₁ and χ₂ were well ordered. Relaxation matrix methods were used to extract distance restraints from the nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy data set, and these were used in a systematic search of torsional space to identify structures consistent with the nmr data. Restrained minimizations of these structures using a number of different force fields produced structures having the expected βII′ turn at D -Trp⁸-Lys⁹ and αβVIa turn in the Phe¹¹-Ψ[CN₄]-Ala⁶ portion of the molecule. The similarity of the minimized structures to those previously reported for cyclic hexapeptide analogues of somatostatin confirms the similarity of the tetrazole geometry to that of the cis amide in solution. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

On the location of β-turns

β-Turns are a common feature of cyclic peptides, but judging from recent x-ray and solution studies of cyclic hexapeptides it is not always possible to predict in advance the type of turn and the position of the turns in the sequence. Two or more backbone conformations containing β-turns may be of comparable energy and in rapid solvent- and temperature-dependent equilibrium in solution. The use of differential relaxation effects produced by a nitroxyl radical to locate β-turns with only minor perturbation of such equilibria is noted. Examination of the effect of a nitroxyl on the N-H resonances of the decapeptide hormone luteinizing hormone releasing hormone supports a dominant conformation with a β-turn at Gly⁶-Leu⁷. Although this turn is probably part of the biologically active conformation, it is not obvious in the more active [D -Ala⁶] analog.     

Kristallstruktur von 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-D- xylopyranosylchlorid

Although 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-xylopyranosyl chloride is shown by n.m.r. data to be 80 percent in the ¹C₄ conformation in chloroform solution, it crystallizes in the normal ⁴C₁ conformation as shown by a three-dimensional, X-ray structure analysis. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁. The phase problem was solved by the heavy-atom method. The parameters were refined to an R-value of 0.039 for 1101 structure factors. With the chlorine atom being in equatorial position in the ⁴C₁ conformation, the C-1O-6 bond is not shortened and the C-1Cl-1 bond is not lengthened. These results are in agreement with comparable values for cis-2,3-dichloro-1,4-dioxane.     

Evidence for Deuterium Retention in the Products after Enzymatic C-C and Ether Bond Cleavages of Deuterated Lignin Model Compounds

The mechanism of C-C and ether bond cleavages of C_α-or C_β-deuterated β-O-4 and β-l lignin substructure models and the vicinal diol compounds catalyzed by the enzyme system from Phanerochaete chrysosporium culture was investigated. The enzymatic oxidation of β-O-4 lignin model compounds in the presence of H₂O₂ and O₂ yielded C₆-C_α-derived benzaldehyde, and C_β-C_γ-derived product together with the arylglycerol product. Likewise, the β-l models and the diol compounds also underwent the C-C bond cleavage, yielding C₆-C_β-derived benzaldehyde and the arylglycol product. The results demonstrated that the d-labels at C_α and C_β of the substrates were retained in the products after the C_α-C_β and ether bond cleavages.