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NMR conformational analysis of proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide, a proangiogenic factor involved in tumor growth.

The preferred conformation of Proadrenomedullin N-Terminal 20 Peptide (PAMP; ARLDVASEFRKKWNKWALSR-amide) has been determined using 1H and 13C two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and molecular modeling. PAMP is a peptide that has various physiological functions, including its role as a proangiogenic factor in facilitating tumor growth and its inhibitory effect on catecholamine secretion at nicotinic receptors. The preferred conformation of PAMP was determined in a helix-inducing trifluoroethanol and water (TFE/H2O) solution, and in a membrane-mimetic sodium dodecylsulfate-d25 (SDS) micellar solution. The secondary structure consists of an alpha-helix for residues Arg2 to Arg20 in TFE/H2O solution and an alpha-helix for residues Arg2 to Ala17 in SDS solution. We postulate that the polar charged residues Arg2, Lys12, and Arg20 are responsible for the initial interaction of the peptide with the micelle, and that this is followed by the binding of the hydrophobic residues Leu3, Val5, Phe9, Trp13, and Trp16 to the micellar core. The three C-terminal amino acid residues adopt an extended structure in SDS, suggesting that they are important in receptor recognition and binding. This is supported by truncation studies done by Mahata et al. (Hypertension, 1998, Vol. 32, pp. 907-916), which show the importance of the C-terminal in physiological activity. Furthermore, Belloni et al. (Hypertension, 1999, Vol. 33, pp. 1185-1189), and Martinez et al. (Cancer Research, 2004, Vol. 64, pp. 6489-6494) suggested that the N-terminal was also important in PAMP activity. However, no differences in conformational preference of the N-terminal were observed between the two solvent systems.

Adrenomedullin↗

The multiple-minima problem in the conformational analysis of polypeptides. III. An electrostatically driven Monte Carlo method: tests on enkephalin.

The three-dimensional conformation of Met-enkephalin, corresponding to the lowest minimum of the empirical potential energy function ECEPP/2 (empirical conformational energy program for peptides), has been determined using a new algorithm, viz. the Electrostatically Driven Monte Carlo Method. This methodology assumes that a polypeptide or protein molecule is driven toward the native structure by the combined action of electrostatic interactions and stochastic conformational changes associated with thermal movements. These features are included in the algorithm that produces a Monte Carlo search in the conformational hyperspace of the polypeptide, using electrostatic predictions and a random sampling technique to locate low-energy conformations. In addition, we have incorporated an alternative mechanism that allows the structure to escape from some conformational regions representing metastable local energy minima and even from regions of the conformational space with great stability. In 33 test calculations on Met-enkephalin, starting from arbitrary or completely random conformations, the structure corresponding to the global energy minimum was found in all the cases analyzed, with a relatively small search of the conformational space. Some of these starting conformations were right or left-handed alpha-helices, characterized by good electrostatic interactions involving their backbone peptide dipoles; nevertheless, the procedure was able to convert such locally stable structures to the global-minimum conformation.

Electrochemistry↗

Conformational analysis of beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside by molecular mechanics (MM2) calculations.

Conformational energies for models of the disaccharide beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside were computed by molecular mechanics using MM2(87). An initial investigation of staggered forms examined the linkage bonds characterized by the torsion angles phi, psi, and omega, and subsequently the fructose hydroxymethyl side groups, characterized by the torsion angles chi-1 and chi-6. Then, in our major search of conformational space, the torsion angles of two linkage bonds, phi and omega, were driven through 360 degrees in 20 degree increments at all staggered side group combinations. From these results, the low-energy forms were minimized without the driver restrictions to generate the global minimum structure found and herein reported. This conformer was then used to map the conformational space of phi and omega by driving only those torsion angles through 360 degrees. Both the 4(3)T (northern) conformer (Cremer-Pople puckering phase angle of phi 2 = 265 degrees) and the 3(4)T, (southern) conformer (phi 2 = 80 degrees) of the fructofuranose ring were tested for comparison, and both were shown to be significant contributors of populated forms. As these two conformers had different minima for a number of important torsion angles, experimental studies may reveal different properties than those expected solely from the preferred northern conformer.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

Proton binding sites and conformational analysis of H+K(+)-ATPase.

It is proposed that the hydronium ion, H3O+, binds to the E1 conformation of the alpha-subunit of gastric proton pump. The H3O+ binding cavities are characterized parametrically based on valence, sequence, geometry, and size considerations from comparative modeling. The cavities have scope for accommodating monovalent cations of different ionic radii. The H3O+ transport is proposed to be aided by arenes which are arranged regularly along the pump starting from N-domain through the transmembrane region. Step-by-step structural changes accompanying H3O+ occlusion are studied in detail. The observations corroborate well with earlier experimental studies.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Orientation of the saccharide chains of glycolipids at the membrane surface: conformational analysis of the glucose-ceramide and the glucose-glyceride linkages using molecular mechanics (MM3).

Preferred conformations of the saccharide-ceramide linkage of glucosylceramides with different ceramide structures (normal and hydroxy fatty acids) were investigated by molecular mechanics (MM3) calculations and compared with conformational features obtained for glucosylglycerolipids (diacyl and dialkyl analogues). Relaxed energy map calculations with MM3 were performed for the three bonds (C1'-O1-C1-C2, torsion angles phi, psi, and theta 1) of the glucose-ceramide/diglyceride linkage at different values of the dielectric constant. For the phi torsion of the glycosidic C1'-O1 bond the calculations show a strict preference for the +sc range whereas the psi/theta 1 energy surface is dependent on the structure of the lipid moiety as well as on the dielectric constant (epsilon). Calculations performed on glucosylceramide with normal and hydroxy fatty acids at epsilon = 4 (bilayer subsurface conditions) show three dominating conformers (psi/theta 1 = ap/-sc, -sc/ap, and ap/ap). The ap/-sc conformer, which represents the global energy minimum, is stabilized by polar interactions involving the amide group. The +sc rotamer of theta 1 is unfavored in sphingolipids due to a Hassel-Ottar effect involving the sphingosine O3 and O1 oxygen atoms. Comparative calculations on glycosylglycerolipid analogues (ester and ether derivatives) show a distinct preference for the ap rotamer of theta 1. An evaluation of the steric hindrance imposed by the surrounding membrane surface shows that in a bilayer arrangement the range of possible conformations for the saccharide-lipid linkage is considerably reduced. The significance of preferred conformations of the saccharide-ceramide linkage for the presentation and recognition of the saccharide chains of glycosphingolipids at the membrane surface is discussed.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

Conformational analysis of opioid peptides in the solid states and the membrane environments by NMR spectroscopy.

Determination of conformations and structures of opioid peptides in the membrane environments is an essential step to understand the action of the peptide to the specialized receptors. This information not only gains insight into the structure-function relationship of opioid peptide but also gives proper guidelines to design a new drug to have same neuroendocrine functions. This review provides the structural studies of three types of opioid peptide families such as enkephalin, beta-endorphin and dynorphin in the solid states and the membrane environments. The structures of enkephalins show that they take beta-bend, extended and double beta-bend structures in the crystals. Moreover, enkephalin molecules take a variety of structures in the crystals and are easily converted to the other structures with slightly different torsion angles. On the other hand, beta-bend structures are mostly seen in the membrane environments. Membrane bound structure of dynorphin shows that the N-terminus forms alpha-helical structure and is inserted into the membrane with the helical axis almost perpendicular to the membrane surface. It is discussed that the helical region of the extracellular loop II of the kappa-opioid receptor may interact with the helical region of dynorphin with a high affinity in the membrane environments. beta-endorphin takes alpha-helical structure at N-terminus and the central regions and the rest of regions take unordered structure when the bind to the membrane. Since the membrane bound structures of opioid peptides differ from those of the solution states, membrane association is an important process for exerting the affinity and the selectivity to the specific opioid receptors.

Dynorphins↗

Conformational analysis and pharmacophore design for selected 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)piperazine derivatives with sedative-hypnotic activity.

The conformational of selected 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)piperazine derivatives with high sedative-hypnotic activity was analysed and the model bioactive conformations were suggested. Subsequently, the pharmacophores of analysed compounds were designed. It was suggested that the pharmacophore of bioactive derivatives should be composed of 11 features that characterise the binding model of pyrimidinylpiperazine ligands to the binding site at the hypothetic receptor. This 11 feature pharmacophore was compared to three other pharmacophores designed for the selected anxiolytics (benzodiazepines and buspirone analogues) and the sedative-hypnotic agents (benzodiazepines and barbiturates). Several substantial differences between the pharmacophores were found: the number of pharmacophoric features and their distribution in 3-D space were unique for selected groups of compounds that exhibit sedative-hypnotic or anxiolytic activity.

Hypnotics and Sedatives↗

Conformational analysis of mixed monolayers of phorbol ester and phospholipid.

A computational approach was used to study the conformation of mixed monolayers of amphiphilic molecules in order to characterize the assemblage of phospholipids around tumor-promoting and biologically inactive phorbol esters. The theoretical model was in fair agreement with both experimental data obtained in mixed monolayers of phorbol esters and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine spread at an air-water interface and the binding of phorbol esters to phospholipid bilayers. Thus, the present method may represent a useful tool to predict the orientation and molecular interaction of amphiphilic drugs at the membrane level.

Liposomes↗

Sequence-specific resonance assignment and conformational analysis of subtilin by 2D NMR.

Subtilin, a 32-amino acid peptide with potent antimicrobial activity, has been isolated from Bacillus subtilis ATCC6633. The chemical structure has been confirmed by the unambiguous sequence-specific assignment of its 1H NMR spectrum. Detailed NMR analysis revealed that subtilin is a rather flexible molecule; the only observed conformational contraints were those imposed by the cyclic structures created by the lanthionine and 3-methyllanthionine residues. These results suggest that in aqueous solution subtilin and the homologous peptide nisin have similar conformations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conformational analysis of octa- and tetrabromo tetraphenylporphyrins and their Ni(II) and Tb(III) complexes.

Molecular mechanics (MM) calculations were used to analyze the puckering of metalloporphyrins as a function of metal ion size and the position of substituents on the porphyrin periphery, on a three series of octa- and tetrabromo tetraphenylporphyrins: without metal, and with Ni(II), and Tb(III) as representative small and large metal ions, respectively. Molecular energy optimization calculations were carried out using the Consistent Force Field (CFF) program, with the parameters developed previously and new parameters for bromine atom. Normal-coordinate structural decomposition (NSD) analysis was performed on the equilibrium structures obtained by MM calculations. The conformers are also stereochemically characterized, compared with available X-ray structures and with the conformers obtained in our previous MM study using chloro instead of bromo beta-pyrrole substituents.

Journal Article↗

Conformational analysis of a modified ribotetranucleoside triphosphate: m6(2)A-U-m6(2)A-U studied in aqueous solution by nuclear magnetic resonance at 500 MHz.

The complete and unequivocal assignment of the 24 ribose proton signals of m6(2)A(1)-U(2)-m6(2)(3)-U(4) by means of 500 MHz NMR spectroscopy at 17 degrees C is given. this assignment is based on scrupulous decoupling experiments carries out at various temperatures. Analysis of the observed chemical shifts and coupling constants of the tetramer shows that the two fragments -m6(2)A(3)-U(4) comprising the 3'-end occur mainly in the classical right-handed stack conformation, whereas the 5'-end the -U(2)- residue appears bulged out in favour of a less well-defined stacking interaction between the bases m6(2)A(1)-and -m6(2)A(3)-. Conformational populations about each of the torsional degrees of freedom along the backbone are discussed. A modernized version of pseudorotation analysis is used to delineate the conformational behaviour of the four ribose rings.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗

All eight stereoisomeric D-glyconic-delta-lactams: synthesis, conformational analysis, and evaluation as glycosidase inhibitors.

An efficient and general synthetic route to all eight stereoisomeric D-glycono-delta-lactams has been developed. The strategy involves, as a key step, a stereodivergent delta-lactam formation with configurational retention or inversion at C-4 of a starting gamma-lactone to lead to two epimers of delta-lactam from one parent gamma-lactone. Conformations of eight glycono-delta-lactams were examined by X-ray crystallographic analysis and molecular modeling. Analyses of conformation and glycosidase-inhibition provide useful information for the design of new glycosidase inhibitors.

Animals↗

[Theoretical conformational analysis of methylamide of N-acetyl-L-lysine].

The spatial structure of the methylamide of N-acetyl-L-lysine has been analysed taking into account non-bonded and electrostatic interactions, torsional energy, bond angles distortion and hydrogen bonding. Conformational capacities of the backbone and mutual dependence of spatial structures of the backbone and the side chain was described by conformational maps obtained by energy minimisation, the dihedral angles and the bond angles of the side chain being varied for every phi, psi point. Every possible combination for phi, psi, x1-x5-angles was used corresponding to the stable form of the backbone and to torsion potential minima of the initial approximations in the calculation of preferred conformations of the molecule. Comparisons are made between stable forms of the methylamide of N-acetyl-L-lysine and Lys residues in proteins with known structure.

Amides↗

Heterodetic bicyclic decapeptide cyclo (Glu1-Leu2-Pro3-Gly4-Ser5-Ile6-Pro7- Ala8) cyclo-(1 gamma-5 beta) Phe9-Gly10. Synthesis and 2-D NMR conformational analysis.

Bicyclic peptides are useful model molecules that can mimic the constrained local folding of a great number of natural peptides and proteins, such as ionophoric peptides, enzyme active site, and ligand-receptor active site. The synthesis of the bicyclic title compound with the liquid phase method is described with experimental details. Of particular interest is the heterodetic closure of the second ring. The peptide showed a complexing activity with metal cations like Ba2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+. The free bicyclic peptide conformation in solution has been studied by means of NMR spectroscopy and a plausible structure model worked out with model building on NMR constraints is proposed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗