Crystal state conformation of three model monomer units for the β-bend ribbon structure

The molecular and crystal structures of three compounds, representing the repeating units of the β-bend ribbon (an approximate 3₁₀-helix, with an intramolecular hydrogen-bonding donor every two residues), have been determined by x-ray diffraction. They are Boc-Aib-Hib-NHBzl, Z-Aib-Hib-NHBzl, and Z-L -Hyp-Aib-NHMe (Aib, α-aminoisobutyric acid; Bzl, benzyl; Boc, t-butyloxycarbonyl; Hyp, hydroxyproline Hib, α-hydroxyisobutyric acid; Z, benzyloxycarbonyl). The two former compounds are folded in a β-bend conformation: type III (III′) for Boc-Aib-Hib-NHBzl, while type II (II′) for the Z analogue. Conversely, the structure of Z-L -Hyp-Aib-NHMe, although not far from a type II β-bend, is partially open.