An active insect kinin analog with 4-aminopyroglutamate, a novel cis-peptide bond, type VI beta-turn motif

The insect kinins are potent diuretic peptides that preferentially form a cis-Pro, type VI beta-turn. An insect kinin analog containing (2S,4S)-4-aminopyroglutamate, a novel cis-peptide bond, type VI beta-turn motif, demonstrates significant activity in the physiological range in a cricket diuretic assay. This is the first instance of a 4-aminopyroglutamate analog of a peptide with a preference for a type VI turn that demonstrates significant bioactivity. The results provide further confirmatory evidence for the active conformation of the insect kinins, and a new scaffold with which to design biostable, peptidomimetic analogs capable of disrupting critical insect kinin-regulated processes in insects.     

Support vector machines for the classification and prediction of beta-turn types.

The support vector machines (SVMs) method is proposed because it can reflect the sequence-coupling effect for a tetrapeptide in not only a beta-turn or non-beta-turn, but also in different types of beta-turn. The results of the model for 6022 tetrapeptides indicate that the rates of self-consistency for beta-turn types I, I', II, II', VI and VIII and non-beta-turns are 99.92%, 96.8%, 98.02%, 97.75%, 100%, 97.19% and 100%, respectively. Using these training data, the rate of correct prediction by the SVMs for a given protein: rubredoxin (54 residues. 51 tetrapeptides) which includes 12 beta-turn type I tetrapeptides, 1 beta-turn type II tetrapeptide and 38 non-beta-turns reached 82.4%. The high quality of prediction of the SVMs implies that the formation of different beta-turn types or non-beta-turns is considerably correlated with the sequence of a tetrapeptide. The SVMs can save CPU time and avoid the overfitting problem compared with the neural network method.     

Peptoid residues and beta-turn formation.

A set of terminally protected tripeptoids containing a residue of either N-methylglycine or N-isobutylglycine in position i + 1/i + 2 were synthesized and tested for intramolecularly H-bonded beta-turn formation. By exploiting FT-IR absorption and 1H NMR techniques, their folding tendencies were compared with those of a variety of reference peptides. The amount of beta-turn induction and the relative extent of the various types of intramolecularly H-bonded beta-turn conformers were determined in chloroform solution.     

A bioactive somatostatin analog without a type II' beta-turn: synthesis and conformational analysis in solution.

A cyclic somatostatin analog [structure: see text] (1) has been synthesized. Biological assays show that this compound has strong binding affinities to somatostatin hsst2 and hsst5 receptor subtypes (5.2 and 1.2 nM, respectively, and modest affinity to hsst4 (41.1 nM)). Our conformational analysis carried out in DMSO-d6 indicates that this compound exists as two structures arising from the trans and cis configurations of the peptide bond between Phe7 and N-alkylated Gly8. However, neither conformer exhibits a type II' beta-turn. This is the first report of a potent bioactive somatostatin analog that does not exhibit a type II' beta-turn in solution. Molecular dynamics simulations (500 ps) carried out at 300 K indicate that the backbone of compound 1 is more flexible than other cyclic somatostatin analogs formed by disulfide bonds.     

Examination of structural characteristics of the potent oxytocin antagonists [dPen1,Pen6]-OT and [dPen1,Pen6, 5-tBuPro7]-OT by NMR, Raman, CD spectroscopy and molecular modeling.

The synthesis and biological evaluation of penicillamine(6)-5-tert-butylproline(7)-oxytocin analogs and comparison with their proline(7)-oxytocin counterparts has led to the discovery of two potent oxytocin (OT) antagonists: [dPen(1),Pen(6)]-oxytocin (1, pA(2) = 8.22, EC(50) = 6.0 nM) and [dPen(1),Pen(6),5-tBuPro(7)]-oxytocin (2, pA(2) = 8.19, EC(50) = 6.5 nM). In an attempt to understand the conformational requirements for their biological activity, spectroscopic analyses of 1 and 2 were performed using (1)H NMR, laser Raman and CD techniques. In H(2)O, oxytocin analogs 1 and 2 exhibited cis-isomer populations of 7% and 35%, respectively. Measurement of the amide proton temperature coefficients revealed solvent shielded hydrogens for Gln(4) and Pen(6) in the major trans-conformer of 1 as well as for Gln(4) in the minor cis-conformer of 2. Few long-distance NOEs were observed, suggesting conformational averaging for analogs 1 and 2 in water; moreover, a lower barrier (16.6 +/- 0.2 kcal/mol) for isomerization of the amide N-terminal to 5-tBuPro(7) relative to OT was calculated from measuring the coalescence temperature of the Gly(9) backbone NH signals in the NMR spectra of 2. Observed bands in the Raman spectra of 1 and 2 correspond to C(beta)-S-S-C(beta) dihedral angles of +110-115 degrees and +/-90 degrees , respectively. In water, acetonitrile and methanol, the CD spectra for 1 exhibited a positive maximum around 236-239 nm; in trifluoroethanol, the spectra shifted and a negative maximum was observed at 240 nm. The CD spectra of 2 were unaffected by solvent changes and exhibited a negative maximum at 236-239 nm. The CD and Raman data both suggested that a conformation having a right-handed screw sense about the disulfide and a chi(CS-SC) dihedral angle value close to 115 degrees was favored for analog 1 in water, methanol and acetonitrile, but not trifluoroethanol, where a +/-90 degrees angle was favored. Analog 2 was more resilient to conformational change about the disulfide, and adopted a preferred disulfide geometry corresponding to a +/-90 degrees chi(CS-SC) dihedral angle. Monte Carlo conformational analysis of analogs 1 and 2 using distance restraints derived from NMR spectroscopy revealed two prominent conformational minima for analog 1 with disulfide geometries around +114 degrees and +116 degrees . Similar analysis of analog 2 revealed one conformational minimum with a disulfide geometry around +104 degrees . In sum, the conformation about the disulfide in [dPen(1),Pen(6)]-OT (1) was shown to be contingent on environment and in TFE, adopted a geometry similar to that of [dPen(1),Pen(6),5-tBuPro(7)]-OT (2) which appeared to be stabilized by hydrophobic interactions between the 5-tBuPro(7) (5R)-tert-butyl group, the Leu(8) isopropyl sidechain and the Pen(6)beta-methyl substituents. In light of the conformational rigidity of 2 about the disulfide bond, and the similar geometry adopted by 1 in TFE, a S-S dihedral angle close to +110 degrees may be a prerequisite for their binding at the receptor.     

Probing structural requirements of fMLP receptor: on the size of the hydrophobic pocket corresponding to residue 2 of the tripeptide.

The conformationally constrained f-L-Met-Ac(n)c-L-Phe-OMe (n = 4,9-12) tripeptides, analogues of the chemoattractant f-L-Met-L-Leu-L-Phe-OH, were synthesized in solution by classical methods and fully characterized. These compounds and the published f-L-Met-Xxx-L-Phe-OMe (Xxx = Aib and Ac(n)c where n = 3, 5-8) analogues were compared to determine the combined effect of backbone preferred conformation and side-chain bulkiness at position 2 on the relation of 3D-structure to biological activity. A conformational study of all the analogues was performed in solution by FT-IR absorption and 1H-NMR techniques. In parallel, each peptide was tested for its ability to induce chemotaxis, superoxide anion production and lysozyme secretion from human neutrophils. The biological and conformational data are discussed in relation to the proposed model of the chemotactic receptor on neutrophils, in particular of the hydrophobic pocket accommodating residue 2 of the tripeptide.     

Combined effect of the DeltaPhe or DeltaAla residue and the p-nitroanilide group on a didehydropeptides conformation

Two series of dehydropeptides of the general formulae Boc-Gly-X-Phe-p-NA, Boc-Gly-Gly-X-Phe-p-NA, Gly-X-Gly-Phe-p-NA.TFA, and Boc-Gly-X-Gly-Phe-p-NA, with X = Delta(Z)Phe and DeltaAla, were studied with NMR in DMSO and CDCl(3)-DMSO, and with CD in MeOH, MeCN, and TFE. The NMR spectra measured in DMSO suggest that peptides with the DeltaPhe residue next to Phe are folded whereas peptides with Gly between DeltaPhe and Phe are less ordered. NMR spectra of DeltaAla-containing peptides indicate that these peptides are flexible and their conformational equilibria are populated by many different conformations. The CD spectra show that conformational properties of the peptides studied are distinctly influenced by a mutual position of the dehydroamino acid residue and the p-NA group. They indicate that all dehydropeptides with the DeltaPhe residue, Boc-Gly-DeltaAla-Phe-p-NA, and Boc-Gly-Gly-DeltaAla-Phe-p-NA adopt ordered conformations in all solvents studied, presumably of the beta-turn type. The last two peptides exhibit surprising chiroptical properties. Their spectra show exciton coupling-like couplets in the region of the p-NA group absorption. This shape of CD spectra suggests a rigid, chiral conformation with a fixed disposition of the p-NA group. The CD spectra indicate that Boc-Gly-DeltaAla-Gly-Phe-p-NA and Gly-DeltaAla-Gly-Phe-p-NA.TFA are unordered, independently of the solvent.     

Characterization of beta-turn and Asx-turns mimicry in a model peptide: stabilization via C--H . . . O interaction

The chemical synthesis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of a model peptide, Boc-Thr-Thr-NH2 (1) comprised of proteinogenic residues bearing an amphiphilic Cbeta -stereogenic center, has been described. Interestingly, the analysis of its molecular structure revealed the existence of a distinct conformation that mimics a typical beta-turn and Asx-turns, i.e., the two Thr residues occupy the left- and right-corner positions. The main-chain torsion angles of the N- and C-terminal residues i.e., semiextended: phi = -68.9 degrees , psi = 128.6 degrees ; semifolded: phi = -138.1 degrees , psi = 2.5 degrees conformations, respectively, in conjunction with a gauche- disposition of the obligatory C-terminus Thr CgammaH3 group, characterize the occurrence of the newly described beta-turn- and Asx-turns-like topology. The preferred molecular structure is suggested to be stabilized by an effective nonconventional main-chain to side-chain Ci=O . . . H--Cgamma(i+2)-type intraturn hydrogen bond. Noteworthy, the observed topology of the resulting 10-membered hydrogen-bonded ring is essentially similar to the one perceived for a classical beta-turn and the Asx-turns, stabilized by a conventional intraturn hydrogen bond. Considering the signs as well as magnitudes of the backbone torsion angles and the orientation of the central peptide bond, the overall mimicked topology resembles the type II beta-turn or type II Asx-turns. An analysis of Xaa-Thr sequences in high-resolution X-ray elucidated protein structures revealed the novel topology prevalence in functional proteins (unpublished). In view of indubitable structural as well as functional importance of nonconventional interactions in bioorganic and biomacromolecules, we intend to highlight the participation of Thr CgammaH in the creation of a short-range C=O . . . H--Cgamma -type interaction in peptides and proteins.     

NMR study and molecular dynamics simulations of optimized beta-hairpin fragments of protein G

The stability and structure of several beta-hairpin peptide variants derived from the C-terminus of the B1 domain of protein G were investigated by a number of experimental and computational techniques. Our analysis shows that the structure and stability of this hairpin can be greatly affected by one or a few simple mutations. For example, removing an unfavorable charge near the N-terminus of the peptide (Glu42 to Gln or Thr) or optimization of the N-terminal charge-charge interactions (Gly41 to Lys) both stabilize the peptide, even in water. Furthermore, a simple replacement of a charged residue in the turn (Asp47 to Ala) changes the beta-turn conformation. Finally, we show that the effects of combining these single mutations are additive, suggesting that independent stabilizing interactions can be isolated and evaluated in a simple model system. Our results indicate that the structure and stability of this beta-hairpin peptide can be modulated in numerous ways and thus contributes toward a more complete understanding of this important model beta-hairpin as well as to the folding and stability of larger peptides and proteins.     

Conformation of N-terminal HIV-1 Tat (fragment 1-9) peptide by NMR and MD simulations.

The N-terminal portion of HIV-1 Tat covering residues 1-9 is a competitive inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV). We have used 1H NMR techniques, coupled with molecular dynamics methods, to determine the conformation of this peptide in the three diverse media: DMSO-d6, water (pH 2.7) and 40% HFA solution. The results indicate that in both DMSO-d6 and HFA the peptide has a tendency to acquire a type I beta-turn around the segment Asp5-Pro6-Asn7-IIe8. The N-terminal end is seen to be as a random coil. In water, the structure is best described as a left-handed polyproline type II (PPII) helix for the mid segment region Asp2 to Pro6. The structures obtained in this study have been compared with an earlier report on Tat (1-9).     

Studies on intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the pyridine nitrogen and the amide hydrogen of the peptide: synthesis and conformational analysis of tripeptides containing novel amino acids with a pyridine ring.

For the first time tripeptides, Z-AA(1)-Xaa-AA(3)-OMe (AA(1) and AA(3) = Gly or Aib, Xaa = 2Pmg and 2Pyg) were prepared containing alpha-methyl-alpha-(2-pyridyl)glycine (2Pmg) and alpha-(2-pyridyl)glycine (2Pyg) by solid-phase Ugi reaction. These results clearly indicate that for the preparation of tripeptides containing an amino acid with a pyridine ring, the solid-phase Ugi reaction is very useful.NMR analysis clarified that 2Pmg-containing tripeptides adopt a unique conformation with an intramolecular hydrogen bond between 2Pmg-NH and the pyridine nitrogen. However, in the case of Z-Gly-2Pyg-Gly-OMe, the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between 2Pyg-NH and the pyridine nitrogen was not observed, whereas Z-Aib-2Pyg-Aib-OMe adopts a unique conformation with an intramolecular hydrogen bond between 2Pyg-NH and a pyridine nitrogen. Conformational analysis of the tripeptides, Z-AA(1)-Xaa-AA(3)-OMe (AA(1), AA(3) = Gly or Aib, Xaa = alpha,alpha-di(2-pyridyl)glycine (2Dpy), alpha-phenyl-alpha-(2-pyridyl)glycine (2Ppg), 2Pmg and 2Pyg), clarified that when an alpha,alpha-disubstituted glycine with a 2-pyridyl group at an alpha-carbon atom is introduced into any peptide, an intramolecular hydrogen bond between a pyridine nitrogen and an amide proton is formed and conformational mobility of the peptide backbone is restricted.     

Conformational investigation of alpha,beta-dehydropeptides. N-acetyl-(E)-dehydrophenylalanine N'-methylamide: conformational properties from infrared and theoretical studies, part XIV.

N-Acetyl-(E)-dehydrophenylalanine N'-methylamide [Ac-(E)-DeltaPhe-NHMe], one of a few representative (E)-alpha,beta-dehydroamino acids, was studied by FTIR in dichloromethane and acetonitrile. To support spectroscopic interpretations and to gain some deeper insight into the Ac-(E)-DeltaPhe-NHMe molecule, the Ramachandran potential energy surface was calculated by the B3LYP/6-31G*//HF/3-21G method and the conformers localized were fully optimized at the B3LYP/6-31 + G** level. The spectra and calculations were compared with those of the related molecules Ac-DeltaAla-NHMe and Ac-(Z)-DeltaPhe-NHMe. The title compound assumes two conformational states in equilibrium in dichloromethane solution with a predominance of the extended conformer E. The Ac-(E)-DeltaPhe-NHMe spectrum is like that of Ac-DeltaAla-NHMe, particularly in the region of bands AI and AII, and unlike that of Ac-(Z)-DeltaPhe-NHMe. The positions of bands AI and II together with the nu(s)(N1--H1) band proves that the conformers E of both DeltaAla and (E)-DeltaPhe compounds are stabilized by the quite strong C5 hydrogen bonds N1--H1...O2. The same conclusion is drawn from the Ramachandran diagrams. The conformers E of both compounds are placed in the global minima and the gaps in energy order between them and the second conformer are large. The conformers E of DeltaAla and (E)-DeltaPhe, apart from the N1--H1...O2 hydrogen bond, show the Cbeta--H...O1 interaction, and Ac-(E)-DeltaPhe-NHMe displays the NH/pi interaction with the N2--H2 projecting in the first carbon atom of the phenyl ring. The C5 hydrogen bond is stronger in (E)-DeltaPhe than that in the DeltaAla compound. This is in agreement with interactions found in the calculated structures and can be explained by the influence of the phenyl ring in position (E). In acetonitrile, the molecule of Ac-(E)-DeltaPhe-NHMe loses its C5 hydrogen bond and becomes unfolded, whereas that of Ac-DeltaAla-NHMe does not vary practically. Adopting conformation E in a non-polar solvent seems to be a general feature of the (E)-DeltaXaa residues.     

Conversion of type I 4:6 to 3:5 beta-turn types in human acidic fibroblast growth factor: effects upon structure, stability, folding, and mitogenic function

Human acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) is a member of the beta-trefoil superfold, a protein architecture that exhibits a characteristic threefold axis of structural symmetry. FGF-1 contains 11 beta-turns, the majority being type I 3:5; however, a type I 4:6 turn is also found at three symmetry-related locations. The relative uniqueness of the type I 4:6 turn in the FGF-1 structure suggests it may play a key role in the stability, folding, or function of the protein. To test this hypothesis a series of deletion mutations were constructed, the aim of which was to convert existing type I 4:6 turns at two locations into type I 3:5 turns. The results show it is possible to successfully substitute the type I 4:6 turn by a type I 3:5 turn with minimal impact upon protein stability or folding. Thus, these different turn structures, even though they differ in length, exhibit similar energetic properties. Additional sequence swapping mutations within the introduced type I 3:5 turns suggests that the turn sequence primarily affects stability but not turn structure (which appears dictated primarily by the local environment). Although the results suggest that a stable, foldable beta-trefoil protein may be designed utilizing a single turn type (type I 3:5), a type I 4:6 turn at turn 1 of FGF-1 appears essential for efficient mitogenic function.     

Peptides containing 4-amino-1,2-dithiolane-4-carboxylic acid (Adt): conformation of Boc-Adt-Adt-NHMe and NH...S interactions.

To study the conformational preferences induced by the insertion of the 4-amino-1,2-dithiolane-4-carboxylic acid (Adt) residue into a peptide backbone, the achiral N-protected dipeptide methylamide Boc-Adt-Adt-NHMe (1) was synthesized and its crystal state and solution conformation studied and compared with that exhibited by its carba-analogue Boc-Ac5c-Ac5c-NHMe containing two residues of 1-aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid (Ac5c). Compound 1 in the crystal adopts a type-III beta-turn conformation and an analogous structure is that preferred in chloroform solution as established by 1H-NMR and NOE information. In the crystal packing three different Adt rings form a cavity and the involved sulphur atoms give rise to unusual multiple interactions with one NH group. The chemical nature of these intermolecular and intramolecular main-chain...side-chain NH...S interactions are discussed in terms of quantum chemical calculations.     

Crystal-state 3D-structural characterization of novel, Aib-based, turn and helical peptides.

The crystal-state conformations of the hexapeptide amide Pht-(Aib)(6)-NH-C(CH(3))(2)-O-OtBu (7), the hexapeptide Ac-L-aIle-(Aib)(5)-OtBu (6), the pentapeptide Z-(Aib)(3)-L-Glu(OtBu)-Aib-O-(CH(2))(2)-(1)Nap (5), the tetrapeptides Z-(Aib)(2)-L-His(N(tau)-Trt)-Aib-OMe (4 I) and Z-(Aib)(2)-L-Nva-Aib-OtBu (4 II), the tripeptide Pyr-(Aib)(3)-OtBu (3 I), the dipeptide amides Pyr-(Aib)(2)-(4)NH-TEMPO (3 II) and Piv-(Aib)(2)-NH-C(CH(3))(2)-O-OtBu (3 III), and the dipeptides Pht-Aib-betaAc(6)c-OtBu (2 I), Pht-Aib-NH-C(CH(3))(2)-O-OtBu (2 II) and Boc-gGly-mAib-OH (2 III) have been determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. All peptides investigated are characterized by one or more turn/helix forming Aib residues. Except the three short dipeptides, all are folded into C==O...H--N intramolecularly H-bonded 3(10)-helices, or into various types of beta-turns. In the structure of 6, two independent molecules of opposite screw sense were observed in the asymmetric unit, generating diastereomeric 3(10)-helices.     

Analysis of the differences in the folding kinetics of structurally homologous proteins based on predictions of the gross features of residue contacts

It is a general notion that proteins with very similar three-dimensional structures would show very similar folding kinetics. However, recent studies reveal that the folding kinetic properties of some proteins contradict this thought (i.e., the members in a same protein family fold through different pathways). For example, it has been reported that some beta-proteins in the intracellular lipid-binding protein family fold through quite different pathways (Burns et al., Proteins 1998;33:107-118). Similar differences in folding kinetics are also observed in the members of the globin family (Nishimura et al., Nat Struct Biol 2000;7:679-686). In our study, we examine the possibility of predicting qualitative differences in folding kinetics of the intracellular lipid-binding proteins and two globin proteins (i.e., myoglobin and leghemoglobin). The problem is tackled by means of a contact map based on the average distance statistics between residues, the Average Distance Map (ADM), as constructed from sequence. The ADMs for the three proteins show overall similarity, but some local differences among maps are also observed. Our results demonstrate that some properties of the protein folding kinetics are consistent with local differences in the ADMs. We also discuss the general possibility of predicting folding kinetics from sequence information.     

The interaction of CK2alpha and CK2beta, the subunits of protein kinase CK2, requires CK2beta in a preformed conformation and is enthalpically driven

The protein kinase CK2 (former name: "casein kinase 2") predominantly occurs as a heterotetrameric holoenzyme composed of two catalytic chains (CK2alpha) and two noncatalytic subunits (CK2beta). The CK2beta subunits form a stable dimer to which the CK2alpha monomers are attached independently. In contrast to the cyclins in the case of the cyclin-dependent kinases CK2beta is no on-switch of CK2alpha; rather the formation of the CK2 holoenzyme is accompanied with an overall change of the enzyme's profile including a modulation of the substrate specificity, an increase of the thermostability, and an allocation of docking sites for membranes and other proteins. In this study we used C-terminal deletion variants of human CK2alpha and CK2beta that were enzymologically fully competent and in particular able to form a heterotetrameric holoenzyme. With differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) we confirmed the strong thermostabilization effect of CK2alpha on CK2beta with an upshift of the CK2alpha melting temperature of more than 9 degrees . Using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) we measured a dissociation constant of 12.6 nM. This high affinity between CK2alpha and CK2beta is mainly caused by enthalpic rather than entropic contributions. Finally, we determined a crystal structure of the CK2beta construct to 2.8 A resolution and revealed by structural comparisons with the CK2 holoenzyme structure that the CK2beta conformation is largely conserved upon association with CK2alpha, whereas the latter undergoes significant structural adaptations of its backbone.     

Keratinocyte apoptosis on type I collagen gel caused by lack of laminin 5/10/11 deposition and Akt signaling

Cultured human foreskin keratinocytes (HFKs) adhere to and grow on nonfibrous collagen via integrin alpha2beta1. During incubation, the receptors used for adhesion are changed to integrins alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta4 and those receptors bind to laminin 5 which is deposited by keratinocytes themselves. In this report, we examined the behaviors of HFKs and transformed keratinocytes on collagen fibril gels. These cells adhered to and spread on collagen gels using integrin alpha2beta1. After several hours on collagen gels, however, cells became round and apoptosis occurred. The behavior of keratinocytes contrasted to that of fibroblasts that grew well even on collagen gel. At the point of apoptosis, integrins alpha2beta1 and alpha3beta1 were not found in the contact region of HFKs. Also, deposition of laminin 5 on collagen gel was not found despite the synthesis of mRNA for laminin 5 and laminin 10/11, while soluble laminin 5 protein is readily detectable. Phosporylation of Akt, which is known as a survival signal, was detected in HFKs cultured on coated collagen; however, the protein level and signals of Akt were dramatically decreased on collagen gel after 1 day of culture. These results indicate that collagen gel has different effects than nonfibrous collagen on HFKs and transformed keratinocytes and the interactions of integrin alpha3beta1 and laminin 5/10/11 are indispensable for maintenance of keratinocyte adhesion and survival.     

Beta-amyloid peptides 1-40betaA and 25-35betaA suppress human amylin-mediated death of RINm5F islet beta-cells with distinct actions on fibril formation

Amyloid deposition is a common feature of Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes related to beta-amyloid peptides (betaA) and human amylin (hA), respectively. Both betaA and hA form aggregates and fibrils and kill cultured cells. To investigate whether betaA and hA display peptide-specific toxicity on cultured islet beta-cells, we examined the effects of (1-40)betaA and (25-35)betaA peptides on hA-mediated cell death and [(125)I-Tyr(37)]hA precipitation. Synthetic hA aggregated in solution and evoked both conformation- and sequence-dependent cell death. While neither (1-40)betaA nor (25-35)betaA was toxic to islet beta-cells, they suppressed hA-evoked cell death in a concentration-dependent and saturable manner. Only (1-40)betaA, but not (25-35)betaA, showed trophic effects on cultured islet beta-cells and inhibited the precipitation of [(125)I]hA caused by hA. These results suggest that (25-35)betaA does not interfere with hA-mediated fibril formation. Suppression of hA-evoked death of cultured pancreatic islet beta-cells by the betaA peptides is likely to occur through a competing interaction at these cells.     

Conformational investigation of alpha,beta-dehydropeptides. XV: N-acetyl-alpha,beta-dehydroamino acid N 'N '-dimethylamides: conformational properties from infrared and theoretical studies.

The FTIR spectra were analysed in the region of the nu(s)(N-H), AI(C=O) and nu(s)(Calpha=Cbeta) bands for a series of Ac-DeltaXaa-NMe2, where DeltaXaa = DeltaAla, (Z)-DeltaAbu, (Z)-DeltaLeu, (Z)-DeltaPhe and DeltaVal, to determine a predominant solution conformation of these alpha,beta-dehydropeptide-related molecules. Measurements were taken in CCl4, DCM and MeCN solutions. In the same way, spectra of saturated analogues Ac-Xaa-NMe2, where Xaa = Ala, Abu, Leu, Phe and Val, were investigated. To help interpret the spectroscopic results, conformational maps were calculated by the B3LYP/6-31+G** method. Also, the relative energies of all conformers of the dehydro compounds in vacuo as well as in the studied solvents in addition to the theoretical IR frequencies of these conformers were calculated. For comparison, molecules of two saturated analogues, Ac-L-Ala-NMe2 and Ac-L-Phe-NMe2, were calculated in a similar way. Both unsaturated and saturated compounds, which have an aliphatic side chain, occur in CCl4 and DCM mainly as a mixture of extended conformers with the C5 H-bond and open conformers. As solvent polarity increases, participation of the open conformers also increases, and in MeCN, the model amides are almost exclusively in the open form, except Ac-DeltaAla-NMe2, which shows a small amount of the H-bonded conformer. Ac-DeltaAla-NMe2 and Ac-DeltaAbu-NMe2 have stronger C5 hydrogen bonds than those of their saturated counterparts. As the calculations indicate, the open conformation of the unsaturated amides is conformer H/F with phi, psi -44 +/- 5 degrees, 127 +/- 4 degrees. This is the second lowest in energy conformer in vacuo and in CCl4 and the lowest one in more polar solvents. The open conformation of Ac-L-Ala-NMe2 constitutes conformer C with phi, psi -101.5 degrees, 112.7 degrees. For Ac-DeltaAla-NMe2 and Ac-DeltaAbu-NMe2, FTIR also reveals the presence of a third conformer. Calculations indicate that is the semiextended conformer D with the N1-H1...N2 hydrogen bond/contact. In all solvents, Ac-L-Phe-NMe2 and Ac-(Z)-DeltaPhe-NMe2 show only the extended E and the open H/F, respectively. In both there is an amide/pi(Ph) interaction.