Structure of cyclic peptides: the crystal and solution conformation of cyclo(Phe-Phe-Aib-Leu-Pro)

A solid-state and solution conformation analyses of the cyclopentapeptide cyclo(Phe-Phe-Aib-Leu-Pro) has been carried out by X-ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The structure of the hexagonal crystals, grown from a methanol solution [a=b= 16.530(4) Å, c= 21.356(9) Å, space group P6₅, Z = 6], shows the presence of one intramolecular N-H?O=C hydrogen bond with the formation of a γ-turn (C₇). The Aib³ residue, at the center of the γ-turn, presents unexpected values of the torsion angles [φ= 70.5° and ψ= -73.8°], which have been observed only once before for this helicogenic residue. A cis peptide bond occurs between Leu⁴ and Pro⁵; all other peptide bonds are trans. The overall conformation for the cyclopentapeptide with one cis-peptide bond on one side and an intramolecular γ-turn on the opposite side results in an equatorial topology of the side-chains of the Phe¹, Phe² and Leu⁴ residues. Indeed, the C^α-C^βand C^β-C^γ bonds of these residues lie approximately in the mean plane of the cyclic ring system. The structure is compared with data in the literature on cyclic pentapeptides. In addition the Pro-Phe-Phe moiety shows a conformation similar to that observed in other larger cyclic bioactive peptides, which indicates a reduced number of conformations for this sequence. The solution study was carried out in three different solvent systems: chloroform, acetonitrile and methanol in the temperature interval 220–300 K. In all three solvents the room temperature spectra show that the peptide is conformationally nonhomogeneous. In acetonitrile at low temperatures it is possible to reduce the conformational equilibrium to two predominant conformers which differ for the cis-trans isomerism of the Leu⁴-Pro⁵ peptide bond.     

Cystine peptides Antiparallel β-sheet conformation of the cyclic biscystine pep tide [Boc-Cys-Ala-Cys-NHCH3]2

The crystal structure analysis of the cyclic biscystine peptide [Boc-Cys¹-Ala²-Cys³-NHCH₃]₂ with two disulfide bridges confirms the antiparallel β-sheet conformation for the molecule as proposed for the conformation in solution. The molecule has exact twofold rotation symmetry. The 22-membered ring contains two transannular NH ? OC hydrogen bonds and two additional NH ? OC bonds are formed at both ends of the molecule between the terminal (CH₃)₃COCO and NHCH₃ groups. The antiparallel peptide strands are distorted from a regularly pleated sheet, caused mainly by the L-Ala residue in which φ=– 155° and ψ= 162°. In the disulfide bridge C^α (1)-C^β (1)-S(1)-(3′)-C^β(3′)-C^α(3′), S—S = 2.030 Å, angles C^β SS = 107° and 105°, and the torsional angles are –49, –104, +99, –81, –61°, respectively. The biscystine peptide crystallizes in space group C2 with a = 14.555(2) Å, b = 10.854(2) Å, c = 16.512(2)Å, and β= 101.34(1) with one-half formula unit of C₃₀H₅₂N₈O₁₀S₄· 2(CH₃)₂SO per asymmetric unit. Least-squares refinement of 1375 reflections observed with |F| > 3σ(F) yielded an R factor of 7.2%.     

Structure and conformation of peptides containing the sulphonamide junction

N-acetyl-tauryl-l -phenylalanine methyl ester 1 has been synthesized. The crystal structure and molecular conformation of 1 have been determined. Crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁ with a = 5.088(2), b = 17.112(17), c = 9.581(6) Å, β= 92.34(4)^M-0, Z = 2. The structure has been solved by direct methods and refined to R = 0.043 for 2279 reflections with I < 1.5σ(I). The sulphonamide junction maintains the peptide backbone folded with Tau and Phe C^α atoms in a cisoidal arrangement, the torsion angle around the S-N bond being 65.4^M-0. In this conformation the p-orbital of the sulphonamide nitrogen lies in the region of the plane bisecting the O-S-O angle, thus favouring dα-pα interactions between nitrogen and sulphur atoms. The S-N bond with a length of 1.618 Å has significant α-bond character. The CO-NH is planar and adopts trans conformation. The Tau residue is extended with the Tau-C^α₁-C^β_a bond anti-periplanar to the S-N bond. The Phe side chain conformation corresponds to the statistically most favoured g^- rotamer and exhibits a χ¹ torsion angle of –67.5^M-0. The packing is characterized by intermolecular H-bonds which the Tau and Phe NH groups form with the acetyl carbonyl and one of the two sulphonamide oxygens, respectively.     

Conformational properties of hybrid peptides containing α‐ and ω‐amino acids*

Abstract: This review briefly surveys the conformational properties of guest ω‐amino acid residues when incorporated into host α‐peptide sequences. The results presented focus primarily on the use of β‐ and γ‐residues in αω sequences. The insertion of additional methylene groups into peptide backbones enhances the range of accessible conformations, introducing additional torsional variables. A nomenclature system, which permits ready comparisons between α‐peptides and hybrid sequences, is defined. Crystal structure determination of hybrid peptides, which adopt helical and β‐hairpin conformations permits the characterization of backbone conformational parameters for β‐ and γ‐residues inserted into regular α‐polypeptide structures. Substituted β‐ and γ‐residues are more limited in the range of accessible conformation than their unsubstituted counterparts. The achiral β,β‐disubstituted γ‐amino acid, gabapentin, is an example of a stereochemically constrained residue in which the torsion angles about the C^β–C^γ (θ₁) and C^α–C^β (θ₂) bonds are restricted to the gauche conformation. Hybrid sequences permit the design of novel hydrogen bonded rings in peptide structures.     

Protected 1–3 segment of the peptaibol antibiotics alamethicin and hypelcin.

A study of the modes of folding and self-association of Z-Aib-l -Pro-Aib-OMe (the protected 1–3 segment of the peptaibol antibiotics alamethicin and hypelcin) in the solid state was performed using i.r. absorption and X-ray diffraction. The stereochemically constrained tripeptide molecules adopt a 4 ± 1 intramolecularly H-bonded form (β-turn), where the single intramolecular H-bond is found between the peptide N-H group of the Aib³ residue and the urethane C = O group of the N-blocking benzyloxycarbonyl moiety. This folded structure is stabilized by an intermolecular H-bond between the urethane N-H group of the Aib¹ residue and the peptide C = O group of the Pro² residue of a symmetry related molecule. According to the i.r. absorption data, in CH₂Cl₂ and TMP solutions the same intramolecularly H-bonded form occurs as that found in solid state. Compared to the situation in the solid state, in CH₂Cl₂ and TMP solvation of the urethane N-H group replaces self-association (through the same N-H group). The results are also discussed in relation to those obtained for other protected -Aib-X-Aib-(X = Aib, l -Ala, l -Val) tripeptide segments of peptaibol antibiotics.     

A crystal-state,solution and theoretical study of the preferred conformation of linear Cα,α-diphenylglycine derivatives and dipeptides with potential anticonvulsant activity

Several linear molecules containing the C^α,α-diphenylglycine residue were prepared as potential anticonvulsants. The conformational preferences of the C^α,α-diphenylglycine residue were assessed in these synthetic derivatives and dipeptides by X-ray diffraction, FTIR absorption and ¹H NMR techniques, and by conformational energy computations. Five (out of six) derivatives adopt the fully extended C₅ conformation in the crystal state. This intramolecularly H-bonded form is largely populated in chloroform solution in all the derivatives investigated. Conformational energy computations in vacuo support the view that the intramolecularly H-bonded C₇-ring form is the most stable structure for these compounds. Only one linear derivative exhibits a (modest) anticonvulsant activity.     

Structural characteristics of diproline: a new crystal form of tBoc-Pro-Pro-OH

The structure of a new crystalline form of tBoc-Pro-Pro-OH (C₁₅ H₂₄ N₂ O₅) has been determined. The crystals were monoclinic, P2₁ a = 14.667(5), b = 16.600(4), c = 15.502(3) Å, β= 117.84(2)?, V= 3337.2 ų and Z= 8, D_c= 1.24g/cm³. There are four molecules in the asymmetric unit, each displaying polyproline-type structure but differing in the proline pucker. All four molecules display a twist conformation in the first proline ring, with molecules A, B and C being ^β_γT (P ～ 183?, τ 33 for A and B, t～18 for C) and molecule D between ^β_γT and _γE (P= 10°, τ38). The second residue of all four molecules has an envelope conformation. Molecules A and B display an ^αE conformation (P～126?, t～25) and molecules C and D display a ^βE conformation (P～168?, τ37). The molecules are hydrogen-bonded (O…OH), forming helical channels along the a-axis.     

Conformational investigation of α,β-dehydropeptides. IX. N-Acetyl-(E)-α,β-dehydrobutyrine N′-methylamide: stereoelectronic properties from infrared and theoretical studies*

Abstract: : The Fourier transform infrared spectra of Ac-(E)-ΔAbu-NHMe were analyzed to determine the predominant solution conformation (s) of this (E)-α,β-dehydropeptide-related compound and the electron density perturbation in its amide groups. The measurements were performed in dichloromethane and acetonitrile in the region of mode v_s (N–H), amide I, amide II and v_s (C^α= C^β). The equilibrium geometrical parameters, calculated by a method based on the density functional theory with the B3LYP functional and the 6–31G* basis set, were used to support spectroscopic interpretation and gain some deeper insight into the molecule. The experimental and theoretical data were compared with those of three previously described molecules: isomeric Ac-(Z)-ΔAbu-NHMe, Ac-ΔAla-NHMe, which is deprived of any β-substituent, and saturated species Ac-Abu-NHMe. The titled compound assumes two conformational states in equilibrium in the DCM solution. One conformer is extended almost fully and like Ac-ΔAla-NHMe is C₅ hydrogen-bonded. The other adopts a warped C₅ structure similar to that of Ac-(Z)-ΔAbu-NHMe. The C₅ hydrogen bond, unlike the H-bond in Ac-ΔAla-NHMe, is disrupted by acetonitrile. The resonance within the N-terminal amide groups in either of the (E)-ΔAbu conformers is not as well developed as the resonance in Ac-Abu-NHMe. However, these N-terminal groups, compared with the other unsaturated compounds, constitute better resonance systems in each conformationally related couple: the C₅ hydrogen-bonded Ac-(E)-ΔAbu-NHMe/Ac-ΔAla-NHMe and the warped C₅ Ac-(E)-ΔAbu-NHMe/Ac-(Z)-ΔAbu-NHMe. The resonance within the C-terminal groups of the latter couple apparently is similar, but less developed than the resonance in Ac-Abu-NHMe. The electron distribution within the C-terminal group of the hydrogen-bonded C₅ (E)-ΔAbu conformer apparently is determined mainly by the electron influx from the C^α= C^β double bond.     

Bivalent sequential binding of docetaxel to methyl-β-cyclodextrin

New docetaxel (Dtx) and cyclodextrin (CD) inclusion complexes having improved apparent water solubility (up to 9.98 mg mL⁻¹) were obtained from phase solubility diagrams. γ-CD and SBE-β-CD offered only poor solubility enhancements while considerable increases in apparent solubility were obtained with Me-β-CD (20%, w/w) and HP-β-CD (40%, w/w) (9.98 mg mL⁻¹ and 7.43 mg mL⁻¹, respectively). The complexation mechanism between Dtx and Me-β-CD was investigated by circular dichroism spectrometry, two-dimensional ¹H NMR (NOESY) in D₂O, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and molecular docking calculations. Circular dichroism and NOESY confirmed the existence of non-covalent interactions between Dtx and Me-β-CD and suggested that the tert-butyl group (C₆-C₉) and two aromatic groups (C₂₄-C₂₉ and C₃₀-C₃₅) of Dtx interacted with the Me-β-CD molecules. The combination of ITC results to molecular docking calculations led to the identification of an unconventional sequential binding mechanism between Me-β-CD and Dtx. In this sequential binding, a Me-β-CD molecule first interacted with both tert-butyl and C₃₀-C₃₅ aromatic groups (K₁: 744 M⁻¹). Then a second Me-β-CD molecule interacted with the C₂₄-C₂₉ aromatic group (K₂: 202 M⁻¹). The entropy of the first interaction was positive, whereas a negative value of entropy was found for the second interaction. The opposite behavior observed for these two sites was explained by differences in the hydrophobic contact surface and functional group flexibility.     

A solution NMR study of the selectively 13C, 15N-labeled peptaibol chrysospermin C in methanol

Abstract: The conformation of the 19-residue peptaibol chrysospermin C in methanol has been investigated by NMR spectroscopy using selective ¹⁵N and ¹³C labeling of the α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues. Complete ¹H and ¹³C sequential assignments, including stereospecific assignments for the heavily overlapped resonances from the two C^β methyl groups of the eight Aib residues, are reported for a peptaibol for the first time. An Aib residue followed by a Pro is an exception to previous suggestions regarding stereospecific assignment of the two C^β methyl groups of Aib residues. Local nuclear Overhauser effects and ³J_HNC and ³J_HNCβ scalar couplings indicate that the φ angles of the Aib residues are restricted sterically to local conformations consistent with right-handed helices. Despite these constraints on the eight Aib residues, the NMR data for chrysospermin C in methanol are generally most consistent with an ensemble of transient conformations, including backbone conformations inconsistent with helical structures. Initial NMR measurements for chrysospermin C bound to micelles suggest structural and dynamic differences relative to alamethicin bound to micelles which may be related to differences in gating voltages for formation of ion channels.     

Peptides from chiral Cα,α-disubstituted glycines

The molecular and crystal structures of one derivative and three model peptides (to the pentapeptide level) of the chiral C^α,α-disubstituted glycine Cα-methyl, Cα-isopropylglycine [(αMe)Val] have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The derivative is mClAc-l -(α Me)Val-OH, and the peptides are Z-l -(αMe)Val-(l -Ala)₂-OMe monohydrate, Z-Aib-L-(αMe)Val-(Aib)₂-OtBu, and Ac-(Aib)₂-l -(αMe)Val-(Aib)₂OtBu acetonitrile solvate. The tripeptide adopts a type-I β-turn conformation stabilized by a 1 ← 4N-H . O=C intramolecular H-bond. The tetra- and pentapeptides are folded in regular right-handed 3₁₀-helices. All four L-(αMe)Val residues prefer φ, Ψ angles in the right-handed helical region of the conformational map. The results indicate that: (i) the (αMe)Val residue is a strong type-I/III β-turn and helix former, and (ii) the relationship between (αMe)Val chirality and helix screw sense is the same as that of Cα-monosubstituted protein amino-acids. The implications for the use of the (αMe)Val residue in designing conformationally constrained analogues of bioactive peptides are briefly discussed.     

Cystine peptides.

NHCH₃ (X = Gly 1 , Ala 2 , Aib 3 , Leu 4 and D-Ala 5 ), have been investigated by Raman and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Solid state Raman spectra are consistent with β-turn conformations in all five peptides. These peptides exhibit similar conformations of the disulfide segment in the solid state with a characteristic disulfide stretching frequency at 519 ± 3 cm^-1, indicative of a trans-gauche-gauche arrangement about the C^α—C^β—S—S—C^β—C^α bonds. The results correlate well with the solid state conformations determined by X-ray diffraction for peptides 3 and 4. CD studies in chloroform and dimethylsulfoxide establish solvent dependent conformational changes for peptides 1, 3 and 5. Disulfide chirality has been derived using the quadrant rule. CD results together with previously reported nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) data suggest a conformational coupling between the peptide backbone and the disulfide segment.     

Synthesis and properties of chemotactic peptide analogs I. Crystal structure and molecular conformation of HCO-Met-Leu-Ain-OMe

HCO-Met-Leu-Ain-OMe (2), an analog of the chemotactic peptide HCO-Met-Leu-Phe-OH, containing the conformationally blocked residue of the 2-aminoindane-2-carboxylic acid (Ain) has been synthesized and its crystal and molecular conformation has been determined. Crystals of 2 are monoclinic, space group P2₁, with a = 15.059(7), b = 18.548(7), c = 9.600(4)Å;β= 85.04(3). The structure has been solved by direct methods and refined to R = 0.069 for 2813 independent reflections with I > 2.5σ(I). Two independent molecules A and B have been found in the asymmetric unit of the crystal of 2. Their conformation can be described as extended at the Met and Leu residues, but folded at the C-terminal Ain residue. The helical folding is left- and right-handed in the A and B molecule, respectively. The crystal packing is characterized by ribbons of intermolecular hydrogen bonded molecules extended along the c direction. The constrained analog 2 is highly active in the superoxide production, thus indicating that a stabilization of a helical folding at the C-terminal region of chemotactic tripeptides maintains the activity. The orientation of the aromatic ring, with respect to its adjacent backbone atoms, does not seem critical for the activity.     

Structural versatility of peptides from Cα,α-disubstituted glycines: crystal-state conformational analysis of peptides from Cα-methylhomophenylalanine, (αMe)Hph

The molecular and crystal structures of the C^α-tetrasubstituted, δ-branched α-amino acid C^α-methyl-homophenylalanine, H-d -(αMe)Hph-OH, and three peptides (to the pentamer level), including the homotripeptide, have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The peptides are Z-l -(αMe)Hph-(l -Ala)₂-OMe, pBrBz-[d -(αMe)Hph]₃-OtBu and Ac-(Aib)₂-l -(αMe)Hph-(Aib)₂-OtBu. All the (αMe)Hph residues prefer φ,ψ torsion angles in the helical region of the conformational map. The two terminally blocked tripeptides adopt a β-bend conformation stabilized by a 1→4 C = O?H-N intramolecular H-bond. The terminally blocked pentapeptide is folded in a regular 3₁₀-helix. In general, the relationship between (αMe)Hph α-carbon chirality and helix handedness is the same as that exhibited by protein amino acids. A comparison is also made with the conclusions extracted from published work on peptides from other types of C^α-alkylated aromatic α-amino acids. © Munksgaard 1996.     

Non coded Cα,α-disubstituted amino acids

The crystal and molecular structure of the fully protected dipeptide Boc-Val-(S)-α-MeSer-OMe has been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. Crystals grown from ethyl acetate/n-pentane mixtures are tetragonal, space group 14₁, with cell parameters at 295 K of a= 15.307(2), c= 18.937(10)Å, V = 4437.1 ų, M.W. = 332.40, Z = 8, D_m= 0.99 g/cm³ and D_x= 0.995 g/cm³. The structure was solved by application of direct methods and refined to an R value of 0.028 for 1773 reflections with I≥3σ(I) collected on a CAD-4 diffractometer. Both chiral centers have the (S) configuration. The dipeptide assumes in the solid state an S shape. The urethane moiety is in the cis conformation, while the amide bond is in the common trans conformation. The conformational angles φ₁, ψ₁ of the Val and φ₂, and ψ₂ of the (S)-αMeSer fall in the F region of the φ-ψ map. The isopropyl side chain of the Val residue has the (t, g^?) conformation, while the Ser side chain has a g⁺ conformation. The hydrogen bond donor groups are all involved in intermolecular H-bond interactions. Along the quaternary axis the dipeptide molecules are linked to each other with the formation of infinite rows.     

Conformational studies on model dipeptides of Gly,L -Ala and their Cα-substituted analogs

As a part of the development of conformational guidelines for the design of metabolically altered peptidomimetics, we present conformational energy calculations on model dipeptide compounds with glycine (Gly), L-alanine (Ala), α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), L-tert-butylglycine (Tle), L-phenylglycine (Phg), (α,α)-diphenylglycine (Dφg), L-2-aminobutyric acid (Abu), 2-amino-2-ethylbutync acid (Deg), L-2-amino-2-vinylacetic acid (Ava) and (α,α)-divinylglycine (Dvg). The energy calculations have been made using molecular mechanics methods with a force field derived from MM2. The salient features are expressed in terms of conformational energy plots, drawn as a function of the backbone torsion angles φ(C_i-1′-N_i-C_i^α-C_i′) and ψ(N_i- C_i^α-N_{i + 1}). The low-energy structures of these compounds are qualitatively consistent with the X-ray crystal structure analyses of peptides and peptidomimetics. They are also in agreement with the results of the solution-phase studies carried out by NMR and IR techniques. The results obtained have important implications in the design of conformationally restricted peptidomimetics.     

Crystallographic characterization of conformation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid residue (Ac3c) in simple derivatives and peptides*

The molecular and crystal structures of the C^α,α-dialkylated α-amino acid residue 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid hemihydrate (H₂^⊕-Ac₃c-O^?·½ H₂O) and nine derivatives and dipeptides have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The derivatives are pBrBz-Ac₃c-OH, Piv-Ac₃c-OH, Z-Ac₃c-OH, the α- and β-forms of t-Boc-Ac₃c-OH, Z-Ac₃c-OMe, and the 5(4H)-oxazolone from pBrBz-Ac₃c-OH; the dipeptides are H-(Ac₃c)₂-OMe and c(Ac₃c)₂. The values determined for the torsion angles about the N-C^α (φ) and C^α-C′ (φ) bonds for the single Ac₃c residue of Piv-Ac₃c-OH, the α- and β-forms of t-Boc-Ac₃-OH and Z-Ac₃c-OMe, and the C-terminal Ac₃c residue of H-(Ac₃c)₂-OMe correspond to folded conformations in the “bridge” region of the Ramachandran map. The structures of pBrBz-Ac₃c-OH and Z-Ac₃c-OH, however, are unusual in having a semi-extended conformation for the φ,ψ angles. The N-terminal Ac₃c residue of H-(Ac₃c)₂-OMe adopts a novel type of C₅ conformation, characterized inter alia by an (amino) N ? H-N (peptide) intramolecular hydrogen bond. While the acyl N^α-blocking groups form trans amides (pBrBz-Ac₃c-OH and Piv-Ac₃c-OH), the urethane groups may adopt either the trans [Z-Ac₃c-OH and t-Boc-Ac₃c-OH(α-form)] or the cis amide conformations [t-Boc-Ac₃c-OH(β-form) and Z-Ac₃c-OMe]. The five- and six-membered rings of the 5(4H)-oxazolone and the 2,5-dioxopiperazine, respectively, are planar. The four independent molecules in the asymmetric unit of the free α-amino acid are zwitterionic.     

Conformational investigation of α,β-dehydropeptides VII*. Conformation of Ac-Pro-ΔAla-NHCH3 and Ac-Pro-(E)-ΔAbu-NHCH3: comparison with (Z)-substituted α,β-dehydropeptides†

The crystal structure and solution conformation of Ac-Pro-ΔAla-NHCH₃ and the solution conformation of Ac-Pro-(E)-ΔAbu-NHCH₃ were investigated by X-ray diffraction method and NMR, FTIR and CD spectroscopies. Ac-Pro-ΔAla-NHCH, adopts an extended-coil conformation in the crystalline state, with all-trans peptide bonds and the ΔAla residue being in a C₅ form, φ₁=– 71.4(4), ψ₁=– 16.8(4), φ₂=– 178.4(3) and ψ₂= 172.4(3)°. In inert solvents the peptide also assumes the C₅ conformation, but a γ-turn on the Pro residue cannot be ruled out. In these solvents Ac-Pro-(E)- ΔAbu-NHCH₃ accommodates a βII-turn, but a minor conformer with a nearly planar disposition of the CO—NH and C=C bonds (φ₂～0°) is also present. Previous spectroscopic studies of the (Z)-substituted dehydropeptides Ac-Pro-(Z)- ΔAbu-NHCH, and Ac-Pro-ΔVal-NHCH₃ reveal that both peptides prefer a βII-turn in solution. Comparison of conformations in the family of four Ac-Pro-ΔXaa-NHCH₃ peptides let us formulate the following order of their tendency to adopt a β-turn in solution: (Z)- ΔAbu > (E)- δAbu > ΔVal; ΔAla does not. None of the folded structures formed by the four compounds is stable in strongly solvating media. © Munksgaard 1996.     

Ten-membered cyclotripeptides

The 10-membered cyclotripeptide cyclo(-βAla-Phe-Pro-) (III) has been synthesized by cyclizing under mild conditions the linear precursor βAla-Phe-Pro-Onp·TFA. Crystal and molecular structure of (III) is reported and compared with that of the related models cyclo-(-MeAnt-Phe-Pro-) (I) and cyclo(-Hyb-Phe-Pro-) (II). Crystals of (III) are orthorhombic, C222₁, with a= 8.224(1), b= 14.056(2), c= 28.559(3)A and Z = 8. The backbone of (III) is characterized by a cis-cis-trans conformation. Both the βAla-Phe and Phe-Pro peptide bonds are cis with ω values of – 14.4° and –0.1°, whereas the Pro-βAla junction exhibits trans conformation with high deviation from planarity (ω= 158.6°). The pyrrolidine ring has C₂-C^β-endo-C^γ-exo conformation and the benzylic side chain is extended toward the Phe-CO group. The molecular conformation of (III) shows a striking resemblance to that of the heterodetic model (II) and strongly differs from the all-cis conformation shown by the homodetic analogue (I).     

Peptide-lanthanide cation equilibria in aqueous solution

Lanthanide ion complexes of α-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester have been characterized in the pH range 2.50-7.00. Proton resonance shifts in D₂O and DMSO were used to determine the conformational mobility and a tentative structure in solution is proposed. The observed trends in the magnitude of the shift ratios and the rotamer population suggested that the metal ion Pr(III) or Dy(III) bound to the carboxylate group and gave information about the peptide backbone. The result of this analysis has been used to select a preferential conformation of the molecule: ø₁? 60d?, φ₂? -150d?, C^βCγLn = 140d?± 10d?, C^αC^βC^γLn = 10d?± 20d? (hindered rotation), Cγ-Ln = 2.85Ad?± 0.1Ad?.