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C Pedone

Publications and source records attributed to C Pedone.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Critical main-chain length for conformational conversion from 3(10)-helix to alpha-helix in polypeptides.

To assess the minimal peptide length required for the stabilization of the alpha-helix relative to the 3(10)-helix in Aib-rich peptides, we have solved the X-ray diffraction structures of the terminally blocked sequential hexa- and octapeptides with the general formula-(Aib-L-Ala)n-(n = 3 and 4, respectively). The hexapeptide molecules are completely 3(10)-helical with four 1----4 intramolecular N-H . . . O = C H-bonds. On the other hand, the octapeptide molecules are essentially alpha-helical with four 1----5 H-bonds; however, the helix is elongated at the N-terminus, with two 1----4 H-bonds, giving these molecules a mixed alpha/3(10)-helical character. In both compounds the right-handed screw sense of the helix is dictated by the presence of the Ala residues of L-configuration. This study represents the first experimental proof for a 3(10)----alpha-helix conversion in the crystal state induced by peptide backbone lengthening only.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Regularly alternating L,D-peptides. I. The double-stranded left-handed antiparallel beta-helix in the structure of Boc-(L-Val-D-Val)4-OMe.

The structure of Boc-(L-Val-D-Val)4-OMe has been determined by x-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. The octapeptide crystallizes in the trigonal system, space group P3(2)21 with a = b = 12.760 A, c = 63.190 A and Z = 6. The independent unit is represented by one octapeptide chain. The structure has been solved by direct methods and it was anisotropically refined by least-squares procedures to a final R value of 0.08 for the 3018 "observed" reflections. One molecule of water was also located in the unit cell. Two octapeptide chains, related by a crystallographic binary axis, wind up around each other giving rise to a double-stranded left-handed antiparallel increases decreases beta 5.6-helix. The dimer, stabilized by 14 interstrand N--H....O = C hydrogen bonds, can be regarded as a cylinder with an hydrophilic inner core represented by the peptide units and an hydrophobic exterior of isopropyl groups. The inner diameter of the cylinder is 5.1 A.

Isomerism↗

Regularly alternating L,D-peptides. II. The double-stranded right-handed antiparallel beta-helix in the structure of t-Boc-(L-Phe-D-Phe)4-OMe.

The crystal structure of Boc-(L-Phe-D-Phe)4-OMe has been determined by x-ray diffraction analysis. The peptide crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1 with a = 15.290 A, b = 15.163 A, c = 19.789 A, alpha = 102.49 degrees, beta = 96.59 degrees, gamma = 74.22 degrees, and Z = 2. The structure has been solved by coupling of the molecular replacement technique and expansion by tangent formula refinement of the set of known phases. Several cycles of Fourier calculations and least-squares refinement led to the location of 194 atoms of the two independent octapeptide chains and few molecules of cocrystallized solvent (chloroform, water, and methanol). The isotropic refinement converged to R = 0.13 for the 3077 "observed" reflections. The two independent octapeptide molecule form a dimer in the solid state: the two chains are associated by interstrand hydrogen bonds (12 of the type N-H ... O = C) with the formation of a double-stranded antiparallel right-handed -- beta 5.6-helix. These double helices can be represented as a cylinder with a hydrophilic inner core represented by the peptide units and an hydrophobic exterior constituted by the aromatic moieties. The dimensions of the cylinder are equal to those observed for Boc-(L-Val-D-Val)4-OMe. In the solid state the dimers pack with each other in an hexagonal fashion with the formation of layers; between the layers, solvent molecules fill empty spaces.

Isomerism↗

Regularly alternating L,D-peptides. III. Hexacyclic peptides from valine or phenylalanine.

In the present paper we describe the single-crystal x-ray analyses of two cyclic hexapeptides containing an equal number of alternating L,D-residues as putative analogues of the metal binding compounds, enniatin and beauvericine. Both the molecules of c(L-Val-D-Val)3 and C(L-Phe-D-Phe)3 retain in the solid state the center of symmetry and crystallize with six and eight trifluoroacetic acid molecules, respectively. The peptides are strongly hydrogen bonded to the solvent molecules. We estimate, on the basis of the molecular geometry and spatial arrangement of the peptide carbonyl groups and in comparison with other metal binding cyclic peptides, the ability of these molecules to interact with metal ions as 1:1 complexes.

Isomerism↗

Ala analogues of the cyclolinopeptide A.

Analogues of cyclolinopeptide A, due to the replacement of each amino acid in the Pro1-Pro2-Phe3-Phe4 sequences with an L-Ala residue, were synthesized by classical method in solution. Mixed anhydride and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide coupling methods have been used for the synthesis of both linear and cyclic peptides. The products were characterized by Rf values and uv spectra, as well as by fast atom bombardment spectroscopy. 1H-nmr studies on [Ala2] analogues are also reported. Preliminary data in CDCl3 solution, at low temperature, seems more promising.

Alanine↗

Comparison of the conformations of cyclolinopeptide A in the solid state and in solution.

Cyclolinopeptide A, a cyclic nonapeptide isolated from linseed, has lately attracted large interest for its cytoprotective activity. The recent elucidation of its solid state structure has prompted us to undertake a detailed conformational analysis in solution. Room-temperature 1H-nmr spectra in several solvents (DMSO-d6, DMSO-d6/D2O/H2O, CD3OH, (CD3)2CDOH, CDCl3) all show very broad lines, indicating the presence of chemical exchange among several conformers. It proved possible to freeze a single conformational state in CDCl3 at 214 K. Unusual chemical shifts and nuclear Overhauser enhancements are consistent with the main features of the solid state structure.

Peptides, Cyclic↗

Structural versatility of peptides containing C alpha, alpha-dialkylated glycines: conformational energy computations, i.r. absorption and 1H n.m.r. analysis of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid homopeptides.

Conformational energy computations on the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid mono-, di-, and tripeptide amides, Ac-(Ac3c)n-NHMe (n = 1-3), indicate that this C alpha, alpha-dialkylated, cyclic alpha-amino acid residue is conformally restricted and that type-I(I') beta-bends and distorted 3(10)-helices are particularly stable conformations for the di- and tripeptide amides, respectively. The results of the theoretical analysis are in agreement with those obtained in an i.r. absorption and 1H n.m.r. investigation in chloroform solution of Ac3c-rich tri- and tetrapeptide esters. A comparison is also made with the conclusions extracted from our previous work on peptides rich in Aib (alpha-aminoisobutyric acid), Ac5c (1-aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid), and Ac6c (1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid).

Alkylation↗

Structural versatility of peptides containing C alpha, alpha-dialkylated glycines. An X-ray diffraction study of six 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid rich peptides.

The molecular and crystal structures of six fully blocked, Ac3c-rich peptides to the tetramer level were determined by X-ray diffraction. The peptides are Fmoc-(Ac3c)2-OMe-CH3OH, Ac-(Ac3c)2-OMe, t-Boc-Ac3c-L-Phe-OMe, pBrBz-(Ac3c)3-OMe.H2O, Z-Gly-Ac3c-Gly-OTmb.(CH3)2CO, and t-Boc-(Ac3c)4-OMe.2H2O. Type-I (I') beta-bends and distorted 3(10)-helices were found to be typical of the tri- and tetrapeptides, respectively. In the dipeptides, too short to form beta-bend conformations, other less common structural features may be observed. The average geometry of the cyclopropyl moiety of the Ac3c residue is asymmetric and the N-C alpha-C' bond angle is significantly expanded from the regular tetrahedral value. A comparison with the structural preferences of other extensively investigated C alpha, alpha-dialylated alpha-amino acids is made and the implications for the use of the Ac3c residue in conformational design are examined.

Alkylation↗

Structure-toxicity relationships in the amatoxin series. Synthesis of S-deoxy[gamma(R)-hydroxy-Ile3]-amaninamide, its crystal and molecular structure and inhibitory efficiency.

The amatoxins, highly toxic components of Amanita mushrooms, strongly inhibit the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II (or B) in eukaryotic cell nuclei. For optimal binding to the enzyme a gamma-hydroxyisoleucine side chain in the 3-position is important as in gamma-amanitin (compound 1), where the OH-group is bound in the [S]-configuration. Amanullin, a non-toxic component, having an oxygen-free isoleucine side chain no. 3, exhibits an inhibitory effect on RNA polymerase II about two orders of magnitude smaller than that of gamma-amanitin. An equal, relatively weak, inhibitory effect has previously been found with the synthetically obtained Ile3-analog 7. In the present paper the synthesis of an analog (2) bearing a gamma-hydroxyl group in the isoleucine side chain is described. The compound was found to have about the same inhibitory effect on RNA polymerase II from Drosophila embryos as amanullin and the Ile3-analog 7. Structure analysis by X-ray diffraction revealed that the hydroxyl group at the -carbon atom of side chain-3 has the [R]-configuration, the new analog thus being -deoxo[( )-hydroxy-[Ile3]-amaninamide. It follows that the [S]-configuration of this chiral center is a prerequisite to maximal toxicity. Crystallographic data demonstrating great similarity between the peptide backbones of the new analog and those of natural amatoxins are given.

Amanitins↗

Long, chiral polypeptide 3(10)-helices at atomic resolution.

The crystal-state preferred conformation of the terminally blocked hepta- and octapeptides with the general formula -(Aib)n L-Leu-(Aib)2- (n = 4 and 5, respectively), determined by X-ray diffraction, was found to be a right-handed 3(10)-helix stabilized by five and six consecutive intramolecular NH...O = C H-bonds of the C(10)-III type, respectively. The octapeptide structure represents the first observation at atomic resolution of a regular, chiral 3(10)-helix larger than two complete turns. In both cases the right handed screw sense of the helix is dictated by the presence of the single, internal L-residue. This study confirms the propensity of short peptides rich in Aib, the prototype of the amino acid residues dialkylated at the alpha carbon, to adopt a 3(10)-helical structure and is expected to help our understanding of the conformational preferences of the membrane-active, channel-forming, ion-transporting peptaibol antibiotics.

Butyrates↗

Long polypeptide 3(10)-helices at atomic resolution.

The crystal-state preferred conformation of the terminally blocked homooctapeptide from the C(alpha,alpha)-dimethylated alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residue, pBrBz-(Aib)(8)-OBu(t), in which pBrBz is para-bromobenzoyl and OBu(t) is tert-butoxy, determined by x-ray diffraction analysis using direct methods, was found to be a 3(10)-helix stabilized by six consecutive intramolecular N-H....O=C hydrogen bonds of the C(10)-III (or III') type. This is the first observation at atomic resolution of a regular 3(10)-helix longer than two complete turns. The solid-state structural analysis was extended to the terminally blocked, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid-rich octapeptide corresponding to the 2-9 sequence of the peptaibol antibiotics emerimicins III and IV, pBrBz-Aib(3)-L-Val-Gly-L-Leu-Aib(2)-OMe. Again, this peptide adopts a (right-handed) 3(10)-helical structure, although slightly distorted at the level of the L-leucine residue. The role of specific amino acid sequence and peptide main-chain length in stabilizing either the 3(10)- or the alpha-helical conformation and their possible implications on the nature of the channel formed by peptaibol antibiotics in the membrane are also briefly discussed.

Journal Article↗

Maintenance of whole cell isoproterenol and forskolin responsiveness in adenylate cyclase of permeabilized cells.

Digitonin-permeabilized monolayers of C6-2B rat astrocytoma cells exhibit adenylate cyclase activity in the presence of exogenously added ATP. The adenylate cyclase retains the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of hormone stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in whole cells including GTP dependency and 100 fold stimulation by isoproterenol. Forskolin increased enzymatic activity in the absence of added GTP, however forskolin efficacy and potency was enhanced by GTP. Low non-efficacious concentrations of forskolin, without added GTP, supported isoproterenol-stimulated cyclase activity. The GTP-stimulated isoproterenol response was potentiated by forskolin. Forskolin support of isoproterenol stimulated cyclase in the absence of GTP raises the possibility that forskolin can act independently of GTP in coupling receptors to cyclase catalytic units and/or that forskolin could increase the efficacy and potency of GTP in the coupling reaction. Permeabilization of C6-2B and other cultured cells yields a preparation of adenylate cyclase which retains the enzyme in a state which closely approximates its activity in the native membrane--a system which could prove useful in studies of the regulation of adenylate cyclase in vivo.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Molecular structure of peptaibol antibiotics: solution conformation and crystal structure of the octapeptide corresponding to the 2-9 sequence of emerimicins III and IV.

The infrared absorption and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance analyses of chloroform solutions of the terminally-blocked segment corresponding to the 2-9 sequence of emerimicins III and IV, -(Aib)3-L-Val-Gly-L-Leu-(Aib)2-, are consistent with the presence of a 3(10)-helical structure of high thermal stability. The crystal structure of the octapeptide, obtained by X-ray diffraction indicates the formation of a right-handed 3(10)-helix, stabilized by six consecutive intramolecular N-H....O:C H-bonds, slightly distorted at the level of the L-Leu residue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Distinct mechanisms of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation and forskolin-potentiated hormone responses in C6-2B cells.

Forskolin activates a variety of adenylate cyclase systems and acts synergistically with receptor-mediated agonists which stimulate cyclic AMP production. The mechanism(s) and site(s) of forskolin action remain unclear. In C6-2B rat astrocytoma cells, forskolin stimulated greater than a 100-fold increase in cellular cyclic AMP content with a half-maximally effective concentration (EC50) of greater than 50 microM. Incubation of C6-2B cells with forskolin plus (-)-isoproterenol resulted in an increase in (-)-isoproterenol efficacy and potency. The EC50 for the forskolin-induced increase in (-)-isoproterenol potency was 22 nM, greater than 3 orders of magnitude lower than the EC50 for direct forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. Forskolin had no effect on beta-receptor affinity for (-)-isoproterenol as measured by competition for (-)-[125I]iodopindolol binding sites. Forskolin also augmented the responses to prostaglandin E1 and cholera toxin. Inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide markedly reduced forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation with little or no effect on the responses to (-)-isoproterenol, prostaglandin E1, or cholera toxin. The ability of forskolin to act synergistically with these agents was unaffected by cycloheximide treatment. These observations are compatible with a two-site model of forskolin action in C6-2B cells: a low-affinity site which mediates the direct action of forskolin to increase cellular cyclic AMP accumulation and a high-affinity site which mediates the potentiative action of forskolin. The low-affinity forskolin site appears to reside on a protein which is closely associated with the catalytic adenylate cyclase moiety and has a relatively shorter half-life than other components of the cyclase system. The high-affinity site resides on a more stable component of the adenylate cyclase system. The synergistic action of forskolin may involve an enhancement of the interaction between the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory component and the catalytic component of the adenylate cyclase complex.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Structure of N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-D-leucyl-L-phenylalanylethanolamide. An N alpha-protected analogue of the COOH-terminal dipeptide of linear gramicidins.

Solid state conformational analysis of N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-D-leucyl-L-phenylalanylethanolamide (t-Boc-D-Leu-L-Phe-EA), an N alpha-protected analogue of the COOH-terminal dipeptide of linear gramicidins, carried out by x-ray diffraction, has indicated that the molecules are characterized by an N-H...O = C intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded chain reversal of the beta-turn II' type. One of the two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit shows an additional intramolecular hydrogen bond of the O-H...O = C type, linking the hydroxyl function of the COOH-terminal ethanolamide moiety to the carbonyl oxygen of the urethane N-protecting group. This is the first experimental evidence for a beta-turn conformation fused with the oxy analogue of an alpha-turn. The results of an investigation in a solvent of low polarity (deuteriochloroform), using infrared absorption and 1' nuclear magnetic resonance, strongly support the view that an intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded beta-turn conformation is the most populated conformation of t-Boc-D-Leu-L-Phe-EA molecules at high dilution. In the self-association process, taking place at high concentration, the urethane and peptide NH groups are involved as hydrogen-bonding donors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Selective reduction of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation by inhibitors of protein synthesis.

Inhibiting protein synthesis by incubating C6-2B rat astrocytoma cells with cycloheximide or emetine for periods up to 24 hours caused a progressive decrease in the accumulation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) when the cells were challenged for 30 minutes with 100 microM forskolin. In contrast, cholera toxin-stimulated (6 nM, 3 hours) cyclic AMP accumulation was not diminished in cycloheximide-treated cells, and cyclic AMP was only minimally diminished in response to a 30-minute challenge with 10 microM (-)-isoproterenol. These experiments suggest the presence of a previously unrecognized cyclase component, which is essential for forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation and has a shorter half-life than the beta-adrenergic receptor, the guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins, or the cyclase catalytic component.

Animals↗

First observation of a beta-turn conformation fused with the oxy-analogue of an alpha-turn: the molecular structure of a model peptide of the C-terminal part of gramicidin A.

The molecular structure of N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-D-leucyl-L-phenylalanyl ethanolamide (t-Boc-D-Leu-L-Phe-EA), a protected analogue of the C-terminal dipeptide of the membrane-active linear antibiotic gramicidin A, has been determined by X-ray diffraction. One of the two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit is characterized by a chain reversal stabilized by an intramolecular, three-centre, double hydrogen bonding. It represents the first experimental evidence for a beta-turn conformation fused with the oxy-analogue of an alpha-turn.

Chemical Phenomena↗