Nmr analyses of conformations of linear peptides in solution

Important aspects in detailed nmr analyses of the conformations of linear peptides are discussed using enkephalin and the α-mating factor of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as examples. The cationic, dipolar, and anionic forms in dimethyl sulfoxide solution may be identified by ir analyses. Because of the electrostatic interaction between the N- and C-terminal groups, the dipolar form of enkephalin takes the folded conformation, as well as extended conformation(s), in dimethyl sulfoxide solution. Such conformational equilibrium is responsible for anomalous temperature dependences and solvent-composition dependences of the amide and C^α proton chemical shifts. Active analogs, enkephalinamide and enkephalinol, take extended conformation(s) in solution. These opioid peptides probably take a specific active conformation upon binding with a receptor. For the α-mating factor and active peptide analogs in aqueous solution, a folded conformation with two βturn structures is responsible for the biological activity.     

Nmr studies of the rates of proline cis–trans isomerization in oligopeptides

¹H-Nmr was used to measure the rate of cis–trans interconversion of X-Pro bonds in linear and cyclic oligopeptides. k(cis → trans) = 2.5 × 10^?3 s^?1 at 25°C was found for the zwitterionic form of H-Ala-Pro-OH, in good agreement with earlier measurements. Replacement of Ala by Phe, Tyr, or Trp resulted in a 10-fold slower interconversion rate, whereas after substitution of Ala by His or Glu, the rate decreased only slightly. Independent of the residues X, the interconversion rate was increased by a factor of ca. 20 when the peptide chain was elongated by addition of Ala to the C-terminal Pro. An additional increase by a factor of 6 was observed when going from the protected linear peptide CF₃CO-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ala-OCH₃ to the closely related cyclic compound c[-Gly-Gly-Pro-Gly-Ala-]. These data are evaluated with regard to their possible use in future studies on the role of X-Pro cis–trans isomerization in the kinetics of protein folding.     

Nmr studies on linear homo-oligopeptides: A perspective view

The use of high-resolution nmr to determine the structure of linear homo-oligopeptides in solution is described. Complete assignments of NH and α-CH resonances were elucidated based upon a guest–host series of compounds and selective α-deuteration of residues in the chain. The conformations for oligomethionines and oligoglutamates in dimethylsulfoxide, chloroform, and trifluoroethanol are discussed, and molecular models are described. Recent studies of L -glutamate peptides attached to polyoxyethylene are also included. These peptide–polyoxyethylene conjugates are soluble in a broad range of solvents, such as dimethyl-sulfoxide, chloroform, trifluoroethanol, and water. Preliminary conclusions are drawn concerning the effects of amine terminal end groups and the nature of the solvent on the conformations of these peptide derivatives.     

Circular dichroism studies of helical oligopeptides. Can 3(10) and alpha-helical conformations be chiroptically distinguished?

Circular dichroism studies of seven helical oligopeptides containing alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) in methanol and trifluoroethanol (TFE) solutions are reported. Peptides ranging from 10 to 21 residues in length have been examined. In all cases distinct negative CD bands characteristic of helical peptides are obtained at approximately 220 and 205 nm corresponding to the n-pi and pi-pi transitions, respectively. The ratio R = [theta] pi-pi is less than 1.0 for all peptides studied. Using crystal structure and n.m.r. results for a 10 residue 3(10) helical peptide and literature values for an alpha-helical 11-residue peptide, it is shown that both helical conformations yield R values of approximately 0.8 in alcoholic solvents. The CD data are considered in the light of 1H n.m.r. studies on these oligopeptides. The results suggest that 3(10) and alpha-helical conformations cannot be distinguished by CD methods.     

Statistical and energetic analysis of side-chain conformations in oligopeptides

The distributions of side-chain conformations in 258 crystal structures of oligopeptides have been analyzed. The sample contains 321 residues having side chains that extend beyond the C beta atom. Statistically observed preferences of side-chain dihedral angles are summarized and correlated with stereochemical and energetic constraints. The distributions are compared with observed distributions in proteins of known X-ray structures and with computed minimum-energy conformations of amino acid derivatives. The distributions are similar in all three sets of data, and they appear to be governed primarily by intraresidue interactions. In side chains with no beta-branching, the most important interactions that determine chi 1 are those between the C gamma H2 group and atoms of the neighboring peptide groups. As a result, the g- conformation (chi 1 congruent to -60 degrees) occurs most frequently for rotation around the C alpha-C beta bond in oligopeptides, followed by the t conformation (chi 1 congruent to 180 degrees), while the g+ conformation (chi 1 congruent to 60 degrees) is least favored. In residues with beta-branching, steric repulsions between the C gamma H2 or C gamma H3 groups and backbone atoms govern the distribution of chi 1. The extended (t) conformation is highly favored for rotation around the C beta-C gamma and C gamma-C delta bonds in unbranched side chains, because the t conformer has a lower energy than the g+ and g- conformers in hydrocarbon chains. This study of the observed side-chain conformations has led to a refinement of one of the energy parameters used in empirical conformational energy computations.     

1H-NMR studies on poly(oxyethylene)-bound oligopeptides

Conformational studies on poly(oxyethylene)-bound homo-, oligo-, guest-host, and sequential peptides synthesized according to the liquid-phase method were carried out by means of ¹H-nmr spectroscopy. The solubilizing effect of the C-terminal polymeric support allowed a thorough investigation of the secondary structure in solution.     

Conformational aspects of polypeptide structure. 33. Infrared spectra and molecular conformations of -ethyl L-glutamate oligopeptides

Infrared spectra of homo- and co-oligopeptides containing glutamate residues were studied in both solution and solid state. Conformational analyses of these oligomers were carried out by using amide I and II band frequencies. Trimethyl phosphate supports the folded structure of oligomers above the heptamer. In chloroform solution, these oligomers assume the β-extended structures above the pentamer.     

Nmr studies on the presence of domain structures in polysaccharides

A variety of nmr transient techniques demonstrate the absence of domain structures in powders of α- and β-cyclodextrins, dextran B512F, and their “deuterated” analogs where deuterium replaces exchangeable protons. Cyclodextrins and dextran are inferred to be homogeneously ordered and disordered one-phase systems, respectively. We show how erroneous results concerning the presence and sizes of rigid and mobile domains can be reached from the interpretations of two-component free induction decays and spin–lattice relaxation behavior of polysaccharides. In our approach, we have measured ¹H free induction decays and lineshapes, and ¹H spin–lattice and dipolar relaxation times, in addition to using Goldman–Shen experiments and ¹³C cross-polarization magic-angel sample spinning. Self-consistent nmr results are suggested as essential means to corroborate conclusions concerning domain structures in biopolymers.     

Nmr studies on complex formation of poly(L-lysine HBr) with carbonate ion in aqueous solution

Diemer formation of poly(L -lysine HBr) in carbonate buffer at pD 10.5 was reported in our previous paper [Biopolymers(1981) 20 , 345–357]. The mechanism of the dimer formation was investigated employing carbon-13 and proton nmr. pD dependence of the ¹³C-nmr spectrum of poly(L -lysine HBr) in the presence of carbonate ion clearly shows that a complex formation between the CO ion and protonated ε-amino group is involved in the stabilization of the dimer form. The lifetime of the complex is longer than 10^?2 s. A stoichiometric evaluation suggests that CO bridges two lysyl side chains. A molecular model of the dimer form designated as a single antiparallel β-ribbon was proposed and discussed in the light of hydrodynamic and ir spectroscopic properties reported earlier. Concentration change experiments indicate that CO binds not only to the dimer formation is inferred as stabilization of the single antiparallel β-ribbon as an intermediate structure in the conversion between the α-helix and β-sheet. The α-CH proton signal of the lysine residue located in the ordered structure (α-helix and β-form) was observed to be separate from that in the random-coil region.     

Gramicidin S analogs with a D-Ala, Gly, or L-Ala residue in place of the D-Phe residue: molecular conformations and interactions with phospholipid membrane

The proton nmr and CD spectra of gramicidin S (GS) cyclic-(Val^1,1′-Orn^2,2′-Leu^3,3′-D-Phe^4,4′-Pro^5,5′)₂ and of GS analogs—namely, [D-Ala^4,4′]-GS, [Gly^4,4′]-GS, and [L-Ala^4,4′]-GS—were analyzed. The molecular conformation of [D-Ala^4,4′]-GS is similar to that of GS, with the trans form about the D-Ala-Pro peptide bond. The molecular conformation of [Gly^4,4′]-GS depends on the solvent composition of dimethylsulfoxide-d₆/trifluoroethanol (DMSO)-d₆/TFE and DMSO-d₆/H₂O as well as the solute concentration. In DMSO-d₆ solution, [Gly^4,4′]-GS forms the GS-type conformation of the monomer at lower concentration. At higher concentration, the GS-type conformer is converted to the other one that forms molecular aggregates. The cis form about the X-Pro peptide bonds is found for [Gly^4,4′]-GS and [L-Ala^4,4′]-GS in DMSO-d₆ and for [L-Ala^4,4′]-GS in TFE solution. The large temperature dependences of α-proton chemical shifts of [L-Ala^4,4′]-GS in DMSO-d₆ solution indicate that the conformer equilibrium changes with temperature. The GS-type conformation is not formed in [L-Ala^4,4′]-GS. The two active peptide analogs, [D-Ala^4,4′]-GS and [Gly^4,4′]-GS, interact with the phospholipid membrane, taking the GS-type conformation. By contrast, an inactive analog, [L-Ala^4,4′]-GS, does not interact with phospholipid membrane. The activities of GS analogs are found to correlate to the formation of the GS-type conformation upon binding with phospholipid membrane.     

单斜Al－（L－丙氨酸）胰岛素初步晶体学研究

用微量气相扩散方法在含酚的柠檬酸缓冲体系中,得到了可供Ｘ射线晶体学分析用的Ａｌ－（Ｌ－丙氨酸）胰岛素晶体,晶体衍射能力为２．５Ａ。经Ｘ射线衍射分析确定,该晶体属于单斜晶系,空间群为Ｐ２_１,晶胞参数：ａ＝６１．５Ａ,ｂ＝６２．２Ａ,ｃ＝４８．３Ａ,α＝γ＝９０．０°,β＝１１０．９°。晶胞中每个结晶学不对称单位含有一个Ａｌ－（Ｌ－丙氨酸）胰岛素六聚体。     

1．9A分辨率Al－（L－丙氨酸）胰岛素晶体结构研究

使用Ｘ－ＰＬＯＲ及立体化学制约最小二乘精化技术,并结合差值Ｆｏｕｒｉｅｒ图人工分析,测定了１．９　分辨率Ａｌ修饰丙氨酸胰岛素的晶体结构,晶体空间群为Ｒ３,晶胞参数：ａ＝ｂ＝８０．８９,ｃ＝３７．６４。精化后的结构模型最终偏离因子Ｒ＝０．１８５,同理想键长和键角的均方根偏差分别为０．０１８和３．５°,独立区内二个分子的Ａ链Ｎ端Ａｌ－丙氨酸残基清晰可见。     

Sequential oligopeptides. Conformational studies of the oligopeptides and a polypeptide with the repeating sequence L-norvalyl-glycyl-L-proline

Conformational studies of a series of oligopeptides (from the tripeptide to the octadecapeptide) with the repeating sequence L -norvalyl-glycyl-L -proline and a polytripeptide with this sequence are reported. By means of chiroptical techniques, unordered conformations are found for all oligopeptides in water, trifluoroethanol, and ethylene glycol and for the water-insoluble polymer in trifluoroethanol. In ethylene glycol the polymer assumes a collagen-like structure. Infrared studies indicate that all the oligomers, in contrast to the polymer, are unordered in the solid state.     

Circular dichroism studies of isoleucine oligopeptides in solution

A conformational analysis was carried out on a series of L -isoleucine oligomers having the general formula BOC-(Ileu)_n-OMe (n = 2–8). These oligopeptides were examined in trifluoroethanol, trifluoroethanol-acid and mixed organic-water media. The results indicate that these oligomers form β-conformations beginning at the heptamer. The stability of the β-conformations was found to be greater than those formed by oligopeptides derived from L -alanine.     

Use of proton Nuclear Overhauser Effects for the determination of the conformations of amino acid residues in oligopeptides

The use of the Nuclear Overhauser Effect to determine backbone and side-chain conformations of oligopeptides is discussed. The distance between the H^α proton of a given residue and the amide proton of the following residue depends only on the dihedral angle ψ. A calibration curve is given for the determination of ψ from the Nuclear Overhauser Effect involving these protons. In amino acids with branched side chains, e.g., threonine, isoleucine, and valine, the Nuclear Overhauser Effect involving the H^β proton and the amide proton in either the same or the following residue gives limited information about both χ¹ and either or ψ. The Nuclear Overhauser Effect involving the H^α and H^γ protons in leucine gives information about χ¹ and χ².     

d-CpCpGpG and d-GpGpCpC self-complementary duplexes: Nmr studies of the helix-coil transition

We have monitored the helix-coil transition of the self-complementary d-CpCpGpG and d-GpGpCpC sequences (20mM strand concentration) at the base pairs, sugar rings, and backbone phosphates by 360-MHz proton and 145.7-MHz phosphorus nmr spectroscopy in 0.1M phosphate solution between 5 and 95°C. The guanine 1-imino Watson-Crick hydrogen-bonded protons, characteristic of the duplex state, are observed below 10°C, with solvent exchange occurring by transient opening of the tetranucleotide duplexes. The cytosine 4-amino Watson-Crick hydrogen-bonded protons resonate 1.5 ppm downfield from the exposed protons at the same position in the tetranucleotide duplexes, with slow exchange indicative of restricted rotation about the C-N bond below 15°C. The guanine 2-amino exchangeable protons in the tetranucleotide sequence exhibit very broad resonances at low temperatures and narrow average resonances above 20°C, corresponding to intermediate and fast rotation about the C-N bond, respectively. Solvent exchange is slower at the amino protons compared to the imino protons since the latter broaden out above 10°C. The well-resolved nonexchangeable base proton chemical shifts exhibit helix-coil transition midpoints between 37 and 42°C. The transition midpoints and the temperature dependence of the chemical shifts at low temperatures were utilized to differentiate between resonances located at the terminal and internal base pairs while the H-5 and H-6 doublets of individual cytosines were related by spin decoupling studies. For each tetranucleotide duplex, the cytosine H-5 resonances exhibit the largest chemical shift change associated with the helix-coil transition, a result predicted from calculations based on nearest-neighbor atomic diamagnetic anisotropy and ring current contributions for a B-DNA duplex. There is reasonable agreement between experimental and calculated chemical shift changes for the helix-coil transition at the internal base pairs but the experimental shifts exceed the calculated values at the terminal base pairs due to end-to-end aggregation at low temperatures. Since the guanine H-8 resonances of the CpCpGpG and d-CpCpGpG sequences exhibit upfield shifts of 0.6–0.8 and <0.1 ppm, respectively, on duplex formation, these RNA and DNA tetranucleotides with the same sequence must adopt different base-pair overlap geometries. The large chemical shift changes associated with duplex formation at the sugar H-1′ triplets are not detected at the other sugar protons and emphasize the contribution of the attached base at the 1′ position. The coupling sum between the H-1′ and the H-2′ and H-2″ protons equals 15–17 Hz at all four sugar rings for the d-CpCpGpG and d-GpGpCpC duplexes (25°C), consistent with a C-3′ exo sugar ring pucker for the deoxytetranucleotides in solution. The temperature dependent phosphate chemical shifts monitor changes in the ω,ω′ angles about the O-P backbone bonds, in contrast to the base-pair proton chemical shifts, which monitor stacking interactions.     

Computational study of EGFR inhibition: molecular dynamics studies on the active and inactive protein conformations

The structural diversity observed across protein kinases, resulting in subtly different active site cavities, is highly desirable in the pursuit of selective inhibitors, yet it can also be a hindrance from a structure-based design perspective. An important challenge in structure-based design is to better understand the dynamic nature of protein kinases and the underlying reasons for specific conformational preferences in the presence of different inhibitors. To investigate this issue, we performed molecular dynamics simulation on both the active and inactive wild type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein with both type-I and type-II inhibitors. Our goal is to better understand the origin of the two distinct EGFR protein conformations, their dynamic differences, and their relative preference for Type-I inhibitors such as gefitinib and Type-II inhibitors such as lapatinib. We discuss the implications of protein dynamics from a structure-based design perspective.