Enhanced Protein Thermostability by Ala --> Aib Replacement

The introduction into peptide chains of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) has proven to stabilize the helical structure in short peptides by restricting the available range of polypeptide backbone conformations. In order to evaluate the potential stabilizing effect of Aib at the protein level, we have studied the conformational and stability properties of Aib-containing analogs of the carboxy-terminal subdomain 255-316 of thermolysin. Previous NMR studies have shown that this disulfide-free 62-residue fragment forms a dimer in solution and that the global 3D structure of each monomer (3 alpha-helices encompassing residues 260-274, 281-295, and 301-311) is largely coincident with that of the corresponding region in the X-ray structure of intact thermolysin. The Aib analogs of fragment 255-316 were prepared by a semisynthetic approach in which the natural fragment 255-316 was coupled to synthetic analogs of peptide 303-316 using V8-protease in 50% (v/v) aqueous glycerol [De Filippis, V., and Fontana, A. (1990) Int. J. Pept. Protein Res. 35, 219-227]. The Ala residue in position 304, 309, or 312 of fragment 255-316 was replaced by Aib, leading to the singly substituted fragments Ala304Aib, Ala309Aib, and Ala312Aib. Moreover, fragment Ala304Aib/Ala309Aib with a double Ala --> Aib exchange in positions 304 and 309 was produced. Far- and near-UV circular dichroism measurements demonstrated that both secondary and tertiary structures of the natural fragment 255-316 are fully retained upon Ala --> Aib substitution(s). Thermal unfolding measurements, carried out by recording the ellipticity at 222 nm upon heating, showed that the melting temperatures (Tm) of analogs Ala304Aib and Ala309Aib were 2.2 and 5.4 °C higher than that of the Ala-containing natural species (Tm = 63.5 °C), respectively, whereas the Tm of the Ala312Aib analog was lowered by -0.6 °C. The enhanced stability of the Ala304Aib analog can be quantitatively explained on the basis of a reduced backbone entropy of unfolding due to the restriction of the conformational space allowed to Aib in respect to Ala, while the larger stabilization observed for the Ala309Aib analog can be accounted for by both entropic and hydrophobic effects. In fact, whereas Ala304 is a surface residue, Ala309 is shielded from the solvent, and thus the enhanced stability of fragment Ala309Aib is also due to the burial of an additional -CH3 group with respect to the natural fragment. The slightly destabilizing effect of the Ala --> Aib exchange in position 312 appears to derive from unfavorable strain energy effects, since phi and psi values for Ala312 are out of the allowed angles for Aib. Of interest, the simultaneous incorporation of Aib at positions 304 and 309 leads to a significant and additive increase of +8 °C in Tm. The results of this study indicate that the rational incorporation of Aib into a polypeptide chain can be a general procedure to significantly stabilize proteins.     

Effect of alpha,alpha-dialkyl amino acids on the protease resistance of peptides

A tryptic [EC 3.4.21.4] digestion assay of 2-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib)-containing peptides was carried out to investigate the effect of alpha,alpha-dialkyl amino acid residues on the protease resistance. The introduction of Aib residues to the P1' positions exhibited a 19-fold higher protease resistance than the peptide with Aib residues introduced to the P2 position or the non-Aib peptide. The peptide having Aib residues introduced to the P1' and P2 positions resulted in complete resistance.     

Preferred conformations of cyclic Ac-Cys-Pro-Xaa-Cys-NHMe peptides: a model for chain reversal and active site of disulfide oxidoreductase

The conformational study on cyclic Ac-Cys-Pro-Xaa-Cys-NHMe (Ac-CPXC-NHMe; X=Ala, Val, Leu, Aib, Gly, His, Phe, Tyr, Asn and Ser) peptides has been carried out using the Empirical Conformational Energy Program for Peptides, version 3 (ECEPP/3) force field and the hydration shell model in the unhydrated and hydrated states. This work has been undertaken to investigate structural implications of the CPXC sequence as the chain reversal for the initiation of protein folding and as the motif for active site of disulfide oxidoreductases. The backbone conformation DAAA is commonly the most feasible for cyclic CPXC peptides in the hydrated state, which has a type I beta-turn at the Pro-Xaa sequence. The proline residue and the hydrogen bond between backbones of two cystines as well as the formation of disulfide bond appear to play a role in stabilizing this preferred conformation of cyclic CPXC peptides. However, the distributions of backbone conformations and beta-turns may indicate that the cyclic CPXC peptide seems to exist as an ensemble of beta-turns and coiled conformations in aqueous solution. The intrinsic stability of the cyclic CPXC motif itself for the active conformation seems to play a role in determining electrochemical properties of disulfide oxidoreductases.     

Structure of benzyloxycarbonyl-L-alanyl-alpha-aminoisobutyl-alpha-aminoisobutylic acid

The x-ray diffraction study of the C-terminally unprotected tripeptide benzyloxy-carbonyl-L-alanyl-alpha-aminoisobutyl-alpha- aminoisobutylic acid (Z-L-Ala-Aib-Aib-OH) has shown that the molecule adopts a consecutive type III beta-turn, which characterizes a right-handed 3(10) helix. A very weak 4----1 intramolecular hydrogen bond with the long N...O distance of 3.32 A, and a unique "oxy analogue" of the 4----1 hydrogen bond wih the O...O distance of 2.77 A, were observed. The stability of the observed conformation with the asymmetric Aib residues was theoretically evaluated by a conformation-energy calculation. The stereochemical characteristics of Aib and Ala residues were made clear by a comparison of the conformations of the short peptides containing both Aib and Ala residues.     

Identification and Biological Activities of Long‐Chain Peptaibols Produced by a Marine‐Derived Strain of Trichoderma longibrachiatum

Six long‐chain peptaibols, 1  –  6 , were identified from agar cultures of a marine‐derived Trichoderma longibrachiatum Rifai strain (MMS151) isolated from blue mussels. The structure elucidation was carried out using electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI‐IT‐MS) and GC/EI‐MS. The long‐chain peptaibols exhibited the general building scheme Ac‐Aib‐Ala‐Aib‐Ala‐Aib‐XXX‐Gln‐Aib‐Vxx‐Aib‐Gly‐XXX‐Aib‐Pro‐Vxx‐Aib‐XXX‐Gln‐Gln‐Pheol and were similar or identical to recurrent 20‐residue peptaibols produced by Trichoderma spp. Three new sequences were identified and were called longibrachins A‐0, A‐II‐a, and A‐IV‐b. The isolated peptaibols were assayed for cytotoxic, antibacterial, and antifungal activities, and acute toxicity on Dipteran larvae.     

Design, synthesis, and crystal structure of self-assembling norbornene (NBE)-supported two-helix bundles: a unique example of Janus helicity in the solid-state structure of NBE(Aib(5))(2)

Norbornene-supported bis-helical peptides with the general structure NBE(Aib(n) )(2) (NBE: 2,3-trans-norbornene dicarbonyl unit; Aib: alpha,alpha'-dimethyl glycine unit; n = 4,5) have been synthesized and examined for self-assembly preferences in the solid state. An x-ray study has revealed a phenomenon of Janus helicity in the solid state structure of NBE(Aib(5))(2). The lower homologue NBE(Aib(4))(2), however, shows an identical screw sense for both the helical arms. The difference in the handedness of left and right arms is reflected in the self-assembly patterns. Thus, while the NBE(Aib(4))(2) molecule self-assembles to form an infinite hydrogen-bonded superhelical ladder, the Janus molecule NBE(Aib(5))(2) crystallizes as individual units surrounded by water molecules. The structures of Z-Aib(4)-OMe and Z-Aib(5)-OMe are also presented to compare their conformations with the helical arms of the title compound and also to the already known structures of other X-Aib(n) -Y compounds. The helices in all the molecules are the 3(10)-type.     

Effect of Ala replacement with Aib in amphipathic cell-penetrating peptide on oligonucleotide delivery into cells

A number of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been characterized and their usefulness as delivery tools has been clarified. As one of the CPPs, model amphipathic peptide (MAP) was developed by integrating both hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids in its sequence. In our previous work, we designed MAP(Aib) by replacing five alanine (Ala) residues on the hydrophobic face of the helix in the MAP sequence with α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues, and the replacement resulted in higher helix propensity, stronger resistance to protease, and higher cell membrane permeability than MAP. As a next step, we examined the efficiency of oligonucleotide (ODN) delivery into cells by MAP(Aib) in comparison with that by MAP. The electrostatically formed MAP(Aib)/ODN complex was more easily taken up by cells than the MAP/ODN complex, and the ODN delivery by MAP(Aib) was via an endocytic pathway. We demonstrated that the incorporation of Aib residues into CPPs enhances the delivery of hydrophilic molecules, such as ODN, into cells.     

Peptaibol zervamicin IIb structure and dynamics refinement from transhydrogen bond J couplings

Zervamicin IIB (Zrv-IIB) is a channel-forming peptaibol antibiotic of fungal origin. The measured transhydrogen bond (3h)J(NC') couplings in methanol solution heaving average value of -0.41 Hz indicate that the stability of the Zrv-IIB helix in this milieu is comparable to the stability of helices in globular proteins. The N-terminus of the peptide forms an alpha-helix, whereas 3(10)-helical hydrogen bonds stabilize the C-terminus. However, two weak transhydrogen bond peaks are observed in a long-range HNCO spectrum for HN Aib(12). Energy calculations using the Empirical Conformation Energy Program for Peptides (ECEPP)/2 force field and the implicit solvent model show that the middle of the peptide helix accommodates a bifurcated hydrogen bond that is simultaneously formed between HN Aib(12) and CO Leu(8) and CO Aib(9). Several lowered (3h)J(NC') on a polar face of the helix correlate with the conformational exchange process observed earlier and imply dynamic distortions of a hydrogen bond pattern with the predominant population of a properly folded helical structure. The refined structure of Zrv-IIB on the basis of the observed hydrogen bond pattern has a small ( approximately 20 degrees ) angle of helix bending that is virtually identical to the angle of bending in dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles, indicating the stability of a hinge region in different environments. NMR parameters ((1)HN chemical shifts and transpeptide bond (1)J(NC') couplings) sensitive to hydrogen bonding along with the solvent accessible surface area of carbonyl oxygens indicate a large polar patch on the convex side of the helix formed by three exposed backbone carbonyls of Aib(7), Aib(9), and Hyp(10) and polar side chains of Hyp(10), Gln(11), and Hyp(13). The unique structural features, high helix stability and the enhanced polar patch, set apart Zrv-IIB from other peptaibols (for example, alamethicin) and possibly underlie its biological and physiological properties.     

Structure-function relationship studies of bovine parathyroid hormone [bPTH(1-34)] analogues containing alpha-amino-iso-butyric acid (Aib) residues

The N-terminal 1-34 fragments of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) elicit the full spectrum of bone-related biological activities of the intact native sequences. It has been suggested that the structural elements essential for bioactivity are two helical segments located at the N-terminal and C-terminal sequences, connected by hinges or flexible points around positions 12 and 19. In order to assess the relevance of the local conformation around Gly(12) upon biological function, we synthesized and characterized the following PTH(1-34) analogues containing Aib residues: (I) A-V-S-E-I-Q-F-nL-H-N-Aib-G-K-H-L-S-S-nL-E-R-V-E-Nal-L-R-K-K-L-Q-D-V-H-N-Y-NH(2) ([Nle(8,18), Aib(11), Nal(23),Tyr(34)]bPTH(1-34)-NH(2)); (II) A-V-S-E-I-Q-F-nL-H-N-L-Aib-K-H-L-S-S-nL-E-R-V-E-Nal-L-R-K-K-L-Q-D-V-H-N-Y-NH(2) ([Nle(8,18), Aib(12),Nal(23),Tyr(34)]bPTH(1-34)-NH(2)); (III) A-V-S-E-I-Q-F-nL-H-N-L-G-Aib-H-L-S-S-nL-E-R-V-E-Nal-L-R-K-K-L-Q-D-V-H-N-Y-NH(2) ([Nle(8,18), Aib(13), Nal(23),Tyr(34)]bPTH(1-34)-NH(2)); (IV) A-V-S-E-I-Q-F-nL-H-N-Aib-Aib-K-H-L-S-S-nL-E-R-V-E-Nal-L-R-K-K-L-Q-D-V-H-N-YNH(2) ([Nle(8,18), Aib(11,12), Nal(23),Tyr(34)]bPTH(1-34)-NH(2)); (V) A-V-S-E-I-Q-F-nL-H-N-L-Aib-Aib-H-L-S-S-nL-E-R-V-E-Nal-L-R-K-K-L-Q-D-V-H-N-Y-NH(2) ([Nle(8,18), Aib(12,13),Nal(23),Tyr(34)]bPTH(1-34)-NH(2)). (nL= Nle; Nal= L-(2-naphthyl)-alanine; Aib= alpha-amino-isobutyric acid.) The introduction of Aib residues at position 11 in analogue I or at positions 11 and 12 in analogue IV resulted in a 5-20-fold lower efficacy and a substantial loss of binding affinity compared to the parent compound [Nle(8,18), Nal(23),Tyr(34)]bPTH(1-34)-NH(2). Both binding affinity and adenylyl cyclase stimulation activity are largely restored when the Aib residues are introduced at position 12 in analogue II, 13 in analogue III, and 12-13 in analogue V. The conformational properties of the analogues in aqueous solution containing dodecylphosphocholine micelles were studied by CD, two-dimensional (2D) NMR and computer simulations. The results indicated the presence of two helical segments in all analogues, located at the N-terminal and C-terminal sequences. Insertion of Aib residues at positions 12 and 13, or of Aib dyads at positions 11-12 and 12-13, enhances the stability of the N-terminal helix of all analogues. In all analogues the Aib residues are included in the helical segments. These results confirmed the importance of the helical structure in the N-terminal activation domain, as well as of the presence of the Leu(11) hydrophobic side chain in the native sequence, for PTH-like bioactivity.     

Helix bending in alamethicin: molecular dynamics simulations and amide hydrogen exchange in methanol

Molecular dynamics simulations of alamethicin in methanol were carried out with either a regular alpha-helical conformation or the x-ray crystal structure as starting structures. The structures rapidly converged to a well-defined hydrogen-bonding pattern with mixed alpha-helical and 3(10)-helical hydrogen bonds, consistent with NMR structural characterization, and did not unfold throughout the 1-ns simulation, despite some sizable backbone fluctuations involving reversible breaking of helical hydrogen bonds. Bending of the helical structure around residues Aib10-Aib13 was associated with reversible flips of the peptide bonds involving G11 (Aib10-G11 or G11-L12 peptide bonds), yielding discrete structural states in which the Aib10 carbonyl or (rarely) the G11 carbonyl was oriented away from the peptide helix. These peptide bond reversals could be accommodated without greatly perturbing the adjacent helical structure, and intramolecular hydrogen bonding was generally maintained in bent states through the formation of new (non-alpha or 3[10]) hydrogen bonds with good geometries: G11 NH-V9 CO (inverse gamma turn), Aib13 NH-Aib8 CO (pi-helix) and, rarely, L12 NH- Q7 NH (pi-helix). These observations may reconcile potentially conflicting NMR structural information for alamethicin in methanol, in which evidence for conformational flexibility in the peptide sequence before P14 (G11-Aib13) contrasts with the stability of backbone amide NH groups to exchange with solvent. Similar reversible reorientation of the Thr11-Gly12 peptide bond of melittin is also observed in dynamics simulations in methanol (R. B. Sessions, N. Gibbs, and C. E. Dempsey, submitted). This phenomenon may have some role in the orientation of the peptide carbonyl in solvating the channel lumen in membrane ion channel states of these peptides.     

A quantum mechanical study of the intrinsic helix-forming tendency of α-aminoisobutyric acid and dehydroalanine residues

A quantum mechanical study to compare the ability of α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), de-hydroalanine (ΔAla), and alanine (Ala) residues to stabilize helical conformations has been performed. To address the study, the oligopeptides X_n (X = Aib, ΔAla and Ala), where n varies from 1 to 6, were computed with the AM1 semiempirical method. The results show that the residues modified at the C^α carbon atom, Aib and ΔAla, are better helical formers than Ala. Thus, a cooperative energy effect was found for both residues, and especially for ΔAla. These terms permit the understanding the different conformational behaviors between Ala and its C^α-modified residues Aib and ΔAla. This trend is important for de novo protein design, where Aib and ΔAla must be considered useful residues in the design of synthetic helical motifs. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effects of bulkiness and hydrophobicity of an aliphatic amino acid in the recognition helix of the GAGA zinc finger on the stability of the hydrophobic core and DNA binding affinity

The GAGA factor of Drosophila melanogaster uses a single Cys 2His 2-type zinc finger for specific DNA binding. The conformation and DNA binding mode of the GAGA zinc finger are similar to those of other structurally characterized zinc fingers. In almost all Cys 2His 2-type zinc fingers, the fourth position of the DNA-recognizing helix is occupied by the Leu residue involved in the formation of the minimal hydrophobic core. However, no systematic study on the precise role of the Leu residue in the hydrophobic core formation and DNA binding function has been reported. In this study, the Leu residue is substituted with other aliphatic amino acids having different side chain lengths and hydrophobicities, namely, Ile, Val, Aib, and Ala. The metal binding properties were studied by UV-vis spectroscopy. The peptide conformations were examined by CD and NMR spectroscopies. Furthermore, the DNA binding ability was examined with a gel mobility shift assay. Though the Ile, Val, and Aib mutants exhibited conformations similar to those of the wild type, the DNA binding affinity decreased as the side chain length of the amino acid decreased. Interestingly, the Val mutant can bind to the cognate DNA, while Aib cannot, in spite of the similarity in their secondary structures based on the CD measurements. Variable-temperature NMR experiments clearly indicated differences in the stability of the hydrophobic core between the Val and Aib mutants. This study demonstrates that the bulkiness of the conserved aliphatic residue is important in the formation of the well-packed minimal hydrophobic core and proper ternary structure and that the hydrophobic core stabilization is apparently related to the DNA binding function of the GAGA zinc finger.     

Chiral interaction in Gly-capped N-terminal motif of 3(10)-helix and domino-type induction in helix sense

Chiral interaction of helical peptide with chiral molecule, and concomitant induction in its helix sense have been demonstrated in optically inactive nonapeptide (1) possessing Gly at its N-terminus: H-Gly-(Delta(Z)Phe-Aib)(4)-OCH(3) (1: Delta(Z)Phe = Z-dehydrophenylalanine; Aib = alpha-aminoisobutyric acid). Spectroscopic measurements [mainly nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and circular diochroism (CD)] as well as theoretical simulation have been carried out for that purpose. Peptide 1 in the 3(10)-helix tends to adopt preferentially a right-handed screw sense by chiral Boc-L-amino acid (Boc: t-butoxycarbonyl). Induction in the helix sense through the noncovalent chiral domino effect should be derived primarily from the complex supported by the three-point coordination on the N-terminal sequence. Thus the 3(10)-helical terminus consisting of only alpha-amino acid residues enables chiral recognition of the Boc-amino acid molecule, leading to modulation of the original chain asymmetry. Dynamics in the helix-sense induction also have been discussed on the basis of a low-temperature NMR study. Furthermore, the inversion of induced helix sense has been achieved through solvent effects.     

Aib residues in peptaibiotics and synthetic sequences: analysis of nonhelical conformations

The alpha-aminoisobutyric (Aib) residue has generally been considered to be a strongly helicogenic residue as evidenced by its ability to promote helical folding in synthetic and natural sequences. Crystal structures of several peptide natural products, peptaibols, have revealed predominantly helical conformations, despite the presence of multiple helix-breaking Pro or Hyp residues. Survey of synthetic Aib-containing peptides shows a preponderance of 3(10)-, alpha-, and mixed 3(10)/alpha-helical structures. This review highlights the examples of Aib residues observed in nonhelical conformations, which fall 'primarily' into the polyproline II (P(II)) and fully extended regions of conformational space. The achiral Aib residue can adopt both left (alpha(L))- and right (alpha(R))-handed helical conformations. In sequences containing chiral amino acids, helix termination can occur by means of chiral reversal at an Aib residue, resulting in formation of a Schellman motif. Examples of Aib residues in unusual conformations are illustrated by surveying a database of Aib-containing crystal structures.     

Translocation of an Aib-containing peptide through cell membranes

The biophysical characteristics and channel-forming activity of peptaibols inserted into artificial membranes have been studied over the last 30 years. However, to our knowledge, no studies have addressed directly their behavior in living cells. In this work, a novel strategy has been employed to precisely assess the living cell membrane-penetrating activity of a fluorescein-labeled Aib (α-aminoisobutyric acid)-containing peptide derived from a peptaibol, trichorovin-XIIa (TV-XIIa). We have demonstrated for the first time that the peptide containing an unusual amino acid residue, Aib, is taken up by cells via a non endocytic pathway. The replacement of Aib in the TV-XIIa sequence with Ala inhibits the cellular uptake.     

Comparative study of methods to couple hindered peptides.

A comparative study of modern coupling reactions involving Boc-protected amino acid derivatives and dipeptides with N-terminal alpha,alpha-dialkylation and N-methylation was carried out. The coupling reactions were run using either equimolar amounts of the amino and activated carboxyl components or an excess of the activated carboxyl component. Yields of the target tripeptide Boc-Phe-Xaa-Phe-OBzl (Xaa = (NMe)Ala, (NMe)Aib, or (NMe) alpha Ac5c) were compared. Less than 10% of the product was obtained from methods utilizing pivaloyl mixed anhydride, pentafluorophenyl ester or acyl fluoride activation when Xaa = (NMe)Aib and (NMe) alpha Ac5c. At room temperature, significant yields of these two products were obtained from reactions which utilized an excess of the HBTU reagent (O-benzotriazol-1-yl-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate), the PyBroP reagent (bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate) or Boc-Phe-NCA (Boc-protected phenylalanine N-carboxyanhydride). Moreover, the Boc-Phe-NCA method was superior when used over a prolonged reaction time or at elevated temperature.     

Synthetic analogues of alamethicin: effect of C-terminal residue substitutions and chain length on the ion channel lifetimes.

In a previous study, a synthetic analogue of the peptaibol alamethicin, in the sequence of which all alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) were substituted by leucine residues and the C-terminal residue modified, was shown to display the same single-channel behaviour as alamethicin in planar lipid bilayer, except that the sublevel lifetimes were much reduced. New analogues differing in their C-terminal residue (Phe-NH2, Pheol, Trp-NH2) have now been tested for their single channel properties in neutral lipid bilayers. The conductance amplitudes and open channel lifetimes do not differ significantly from the previous analogue. Thus, the nature of the last residue, which may be located near the membrane interface, does not seem to play an important role in the destabilisation of the conducting aggregate observed after the Aib substitution by Leu. Since the deletion of one residue (Glu18) in the 14-20 moiety induces a slight decrease of the increment between the conductance levels, but has no effect upon the channel lifetimes, this residue and the length of this segment do not interfer much with the channel lifetime of peptaibols. In conclusion the factors influencing the aggregate stability may be sought in the helix-helix interactions.     

Stereochemical control of peptide folding

Stereochemically constrained amino acid residues that strongly favour specific backbone conformations may be used to nucleate and stabilize specific secondary structures in designed peptides. An overview of the use of alphaalpha-dialkyl amino acids in stabilizing helical structures in synthetic peptides is presented, with an emphasis on work carried out in the authors laboratory. Alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) and related achiral homologs facilitate stable helix formation in oligopeptides as exemplified by a large number of crystal structure determinations in the solid state. The ability to design conformationally rigid helical modules has been exploited in attempts to design structurally well characterized helix-linker helix, using potential nonhelical linking segments. Beta-hairpin design has been approached by exploiting the tendency of 'prime turns' to nucleate hairpin formation. The use of nucleating (D)Pro-Gly segments has resulted in the generation of several well characterized beta-hairpin structures, including the crystallographic observation of beta-hairpin in a synthetic apolar octapeptide. Extensions of this approach to three stranded beta-sheets and larger structures containing multiple (D)Pro-Gly segments appear readily possible.     

The crystal structure of Afc-containing peptides

A systematic structural analysis of Afc (9-amino-fluorene-9-carboxylic acid) containing peptides is here reported. The crystal structures of four fully protected tripeptides containing the Afc residue in position 2: Z-X(1)-Afc(2)-Y(3)-OMe (peptide a: X = Y = Gly; peptide b: X = Aib, C(alpha, alpha)-dimethylglycine, Y = Gly; peptide c: X = Gly, Y = Aib; peptide d: X = Y = Aib) have been solved by x-ray crystallography. All the results suggest that the Afc residue has a high propensity to assume an extended conformation. In fact, the Afc residue adopts an extended conformation in three peptides examined in this paper (peptides a-c). In contrast, Afc was found in a folded conformation, in the 3(10)-helical region, only in the peptide d, in which it is both preceded and followed by the strong helix promoting Aib.