Structure and conformation of linear peptides

The crystal structure of t-Boc-glycyl-L-phenylalanine (C₁₄H₂₂N₂O₅, molecular weight = 298) has been determined. Crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁, with a = 7.599(1)Å, b = 9.576(2), c = 12.841(2), β = 97.21(1)°, Z = 2, D_m = 1.149, D° = 1.168 g · cm^-3. Trial structure was obtained by direct methods and refined to a final R-index of 0.064 for 1465 reflections with I> 1s?. The peptide unit is trans planar and is nearly perpendicular to the plane containing the urethane moiety. The plane of the carboxyl group makes a dihedral angle of 16.0° with the peptide unit. The backbone torison angles are ω₀ = - 176.9°, ø₁ = - 88.0°, ψ₁ = - 14.5°, ω1 = 176.4°, ø₂ = - 164.7° and ψ2 = 170.3°. The phenylalanine side chain conformation is represented by the torsion angles χ₁ = 52.0°, χ₂ = 85.8°.     

Crystal structure of tert.-butyloxycarbonyl-L-prolyl-D-alanyl-D-alanyl-N-methylamide Dimeric β-sheet formation

The crystal structure of the tripeptide t-Boc-L-Pro-D-Ala-D-Ala-NHCH₃, monohydrate, (C₁₇H₃₀N₄O₅·H₂O, molecular weight = 404.44) has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystals are mono-clinic, space group P2₁, a = 9.2585(4), b = 9.3541(5). c = 12.4529(4) Å, β= 96.449(3)°, Z = 2. The peptide units are in the trans and the tBoc-Pro bond in the cis orientation. The first and third peptide units show significant deviations from planarity (Δω=5.2° and Δω=3.7°, respectively). The backbone torsion angles are: φ¹, = -60°, ψ_1/= 143.3°, ω₁= -174.8°, φ₂= 148.4°, ψ₂= -143.1°, ω₂= -179.7°, φ₃= 151.4°, ψ₃= -151.9°, ω₃= -176.3°. The pyrrolidine ring of the proline residue adopts the C₂— C^γ conformation. The molecular packing gives rise to an antiparallel β-sheet structure formed of dimeric repeating units of the peptide. The surface of the dimeric β-sheet is hydrophobic. Water molecules are found systematically at the edges of the sheets interacting with the urethane oxygen and terminal amino groups. Surface catalysis of an L-Ala to D-Ala epimerization process by water molecules adsorbed on to an incipient β-sheet is suggested as a mechanism whereby crystals of the title peptide were obtained from a solution of tBoc-Pro-D-Ala-Ala-NHCH₃.     

Structure of N-Boc-L-Pro-dehydro-Leu-NHCH3

The peptide N-Boc-L-Pro-dehydro-Leu-NHCH₃ was synthesized to examine the nature of β-bend as a result of dehydro-Leu in the sequence. The peptide crystallizes from methanol-water mixture at 4° in orthorhombic space group P22₁2₁ with a = 5.726(1)Å, b = 14.989(4) Å, c = 24.131(9) Å, V = 2071(1) ų, Z = 4, dm = 1.064(5)gcm^-3 and dc = 1.0886(5)gcm^-3. The structure was solved by direct methods using SHELXS 86 and it was refined by full-matrix least-squares procedure to an R value of 0.059 for 957 observed reflections. The peptide is found to adopt a β-bend type II conformation with φ₁=– 51(1)°, ψ₁= 133(1)°, φ₂= 74(2)° and ψ₂= 8(2)°. The β-bend is stabilized by an intra-chain hydrogen bond between the carbonyl oxygen of ith residue and the NH of (i + 3)th residue. The five-membered pyrrolidine ring of Pro-residue adopts an ideal C^γ-exo conformation with torsion angles of χ₁¹=– 25(1)°, χ₁²= 38(1)°, χ₂=– 34(1)°, χ₁⁴= 20(1)° and χ₁⁰= 2(1)°. The side chain conformation angles of dehydro-Leu residue are χ₂= 12(2)°, χ₂^2.1=– 112(2)° and χ₂^2.2= 136(2)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by a network of hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions.     

Structure and conformation of linear peptides XII. Structure of tryptophanyl-glycyl-glycine dihydrate

The crystal structure of a tripeptide, tryptophanyl-glycyl-glycine dihydrate (C₁₅H₁₈N₄O₄·2H₂O, molecular weight = 354) has been determined. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a= 7.875 (1) A,b= 9.009(1), c= 24.307(1) and Z = 4. The final R-index is 0.058 for 1488 reflections ((sin θ/λ≤ 0.6 A^?1) with I < 2σ(I). The molecule exists as a zwitterion, with terminal NH⁺₃ and COO^? groups. The peptide units are trans and nearly perpendicular to the plane of the carboxyl group. The backbone torsion angles are: ψ₁= 132.7°, ω₁= 174.2°, φ₂ 88.2°, ψ= 8.6°, ω₂ - 179.8°, φ= - 85.2°, ψ₃₁, = - 178.1°, ψ₃₂ 5.0°. For the sidechain of tryptophan, χ₁= - 171.6°, χ₂ 101.0°.     

Peptide crystal growth via vapor diffusion

The structure of a dihydrated form of glycyl-L-tyrosyl-L-alanine (GYA) has been determined as part of a series of peptide structural investigations and development of microscale vapor diffusion experiments for peptide crystal growth. Crystals were grown by the hanging-drop method against sodium acetate. The tripeptide is a zwitterion in the crystal, adopting an extended conformation through glycine, a nearly perpendicular bend attyrosine and a reverse turn for the C-terminal carboxylate. Principal backbone torsion angles are ψ₁ 175(1)°, ω₂ 173(1)°, φ₂ -119(1)°, ψ₂ 120(1)°, ω₃3 172(1)°, φ₃ -73(1)°,ψ₃₁ -9(1)°, ψ₃₂ 171(1)°. The tyrosyl side chain adopts an unusual orientation (χ^1/2= -86(1)°). The relationship of the GYA.2H₂O structure to GYA sequences in proteins is examined, particularly as regards its helix-forming potential. Crystal data: C₁₄H₁₉N₃O₄.2H₂O, Mr = 345.36, orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 4.810 (4), b= 11.400(7), c = 30.162(23)Å, V=1653.8(24)Å^?3, Z = 4, Dx= 1.387 Mgm^?3, λ(CuK_α^?)= 1.540 Åμ= 9.053 mm^?1, F(000) = 736, T = 199K, R = 0.041 for 1458 observations with I ≥ 3σ(I).     

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 linear peptides. X. Structure of glycyl-glycyl-L-phenylalanine hydrochloride

The crystal structure of a tripeptide, glycyl-glycyl-L-phenylalanine HCl (C₁₃H₁₈N₃O₄ ± HCl, molecular weight = 316.5) has been determined. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁, with a = 4.877 (2) Å, b = 9.956(3), c = 32.690(5) and Z = 4. The final R-index is 0.043 for 1325 reflections (sinØ/Λ ± 0.55 Å^-1) with I > 2.0 s? (I). The N-terminal of the molecule is protonated and the C-terminal exists in an un-ionised state. The peptide units are trans and one of them shows significant deviations from planarity (¶Δω₁¶ = 11.3°). The peptide backbone is folded with torsion angles of: ø₁ = 165.5°, ω₁ = — 168.7°, ø₂ = 63.6°, ø₂ = — 153.6°, ω₂ = 176.5°, ø₃ = — 72.2° and Φ₃ = 166.5°. For the side chain of phenylalanine, X₁ = — 79.5° and X₂ = 86.8°. An intramolecular water bridge links the two ends of the molecule.     

Structure and conformation of linear peptides

The tripeptide, glycyl-glycyl-L-isoleucine, crystallizes as a monohydrate in the monoclinic space group P2₁, with a = 12.746(2), b = 6.172(1), c = 8.643(1) Å, β = 99.77(2)°, and Z = 2. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to an R-value of 0.039 for 917 (I > 1°) reflections. The molecule exists as a zwitterion in the crystal. The peptide units are trans and show significant deviations from planarity. The plane of peptide units and of the carboxyl group are nearly mutually perpendicular to each other. The peptide backbone torsion angles are: ø₁ = - 171.2°, ω₁ = - 176.8°, ø₂ = - 106.1°, ø₂ = - 150.7°, ø₂ = - 172.1°, ø₃ = - 70.9°, ø₃ = 136.5°. For the side-chain of isoleucine, ø₁ = - 58.1°, ø₂ = 169.7° and the system of bonds C′-C^α-C^β-C γ₁^-Cδ is trans zig-zag. The packing arrangement involves spatial segregation of polar and nonpolar moieties.     

Backbone—side-chain interactions in serine Synthesis,crystal structure and solution conformation of a linear model peptide N-Boc-l-Ser-l-Phe-OCH3

The peptide Boc-Ser-Phe-OCH₃ was synthesised by a solution-phase method using the usual workup procedure. The peptide was crystallized from a 70:30 (v/v) methanol-water mixture. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁ with a= 5.128(2), b=17.873(2), c=11.386(2) Å, and β=98.03(3)°. The structure was determined by direct methods and refined by a structure factor least-squares procedure. The final R-value for 1499 observed reflections was 0.041. The structure contains one peptide and one solvent water molecule. The peptide adopts a β-strand-like conformation with φ₁=- 100.3(5), ψ_l= 99.9(5), φ₂= - 122.2(5), ψ^T₂= -172.5(6)°. The Ser side-chain assumes an extended conformation with χ¹₁= - 177.0(4)°. The O^γH group of serine acts as a proton donor in an intramolecular weak hydrogen bond with (Ser) O′₁; [O^γ₁;-H^γ₁?O′₁= 3.253(6) Å]. The Phe side-chain adopts a staggered conformation with χ¹₂= -70.9(6), χ²_2,1= 88.4(7)°, χ^2,2₂= -89.2(6)°. The water molecule generates a loop through two hydrogen bonds with O^γ₁ [OW?O^γ₁= 2.893(5) Å] and O′₂ [OW-O′₂= 2.962(7) Å] atoms. The unit-translated peptide molecules along the α-axis are held by hydrogen bonds: N₁-H₁?O₂ (x-1, y, z) = 2.954(4) Å and N₂-H₂?O′₁ (x+1, y, z) = 2.897(6) Å in a manner similar to those observed in parallel β-pleated sheet structures. There is an additional interaction involving O^γ₁ and the water molecule [OW?O^γ₁ (x= 1, y, z) = 2.789(4) Å]. The strong NOE peak of C_i(H)?N_i+1 (H) and a simultaneous weak NOE peak of N_i(H)?N_i+l (H) in the ROESY spectra of two-dimensional NMR in dimethyl sulfoxide indicate a β-strand-like conformation for the peptide in solution. © Munksgaard 1996.     

Structure and conformation of linear peptides XIII. Structure of l-phenylalanyl-glycyl-glycine

The crystal structure of a tripeptide, l -phenylalanyl-glycyl-glycine (C₁₃H₁₇,N₃O₄), molecular weight = 279.3, has been determined. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P 2₁2₁2₁, with a= 5.462(1) A, b= 15.285(5), c= 16.056(4), Z = 4 , and P(calc) = 1.384 g. cm^-3. The final R-index is 0.052 for 866 reflections with θ/λ≤ 0.55 A^-1 and 1 > σ. The molecule exists as a zwitterion, with the N-terminus protonated and the C-terminus in an ionized form. Both the peptide units are in the trans configuration and planar, though one of them shows significant deviations from planarity (|Δ| = 5.1°). The peptide backbone is folded, with the torsion angles of ψ₁= 116.2(5)°, ψ₃₁= 178.8(4), φ₂=?89.7(5), ψ₂=?28.9(6), ω₂=?174.9(4), φ₃= 134.9(5), ψ₃₁= 7.8(6), ψ₃₂=?172.6(4). The terminal glycine adopts a “d -residue” conformation. For the sidechain of phenylalanine, χ₁= 175.5(4), χ₂= - 127.0(6).     

Structure and conformation of peptides involving prolyl residue III. L-Prolyl-L-isoleucine monohydrate

The dipeptide, L-prolyl-L-isoleucine monohydrate (C₁₁ H₂₀N₂O₃· H₂O, molecular weight 246.3) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁, with a = 6.601(3)Å, b = 5.413(3) Å, c = 19.128(6) Å, β= 98.1(1)°, Z = 2, Do = 1.20g·cm^-3 and Dc = 1.208g·cm^-3. The structure was solved by MULTAN–80 and refined to a final R-factor of 0.081 for 594 reflections measured on a Enraf Nonius CAD-4 diffractometer. The peptide linkage exists in the trans conformation. The pyrrolidine ring is disordered with two alternate envelope conformations for the C^γ atom. The values of the sidechain torsion angles are: χ₁₁=– 63.6(17)°, χ₁₂= 171.1(16)° and χ₂=– 59.6(21)° for isoleucine (C-terminal). The crystal structure is stabilized by a three-dimensional network of N—H ? O, O—H ? O and C—H ? O hydrogen bonds. The dipeptide exists in the extended Conformation.     

Structure and conformation of linear peptides

The crystal structure of a dipeptide tert-butyloxycarbonyl-l -alanylglycine monohydrate (C₁₀H₁₈N₂O₅·H₂O), molecular weight 264, has been determined. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁, with a= 10.767(1), b= 6.317(1), c= 10.981(2) Å, β= 109.15(2)°, and Z= 2, D_c= 1.24 g cm^?3. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to 3 final R-index of 0.045 for 856 reflections (sin θ/λ < 0.55 Å^?1) with I > 2 σ. The N-terminus of the molecule blocked with the t-Boc group is uncharged and the C-terminus exists in an unionized state. The peptide unit is trans and shows slight deviations from planarity. (Δω= 3.1°). The peptide backbone is folded, with torsion angles of φ₁= -76.0(5), ψ₁= 164.3(4), ω₁= 176.9(5), φ₂= 116.1(5), ψ₂₁= - 2.8(7) and ψ₂₂= 177.8(4)°. The conformation about the urethane bond (C5–N1) is trans. The urethane group is essentially planar. The conformation of the boc group is trans–trans.     

Structure and conformation of peptides involving prolyl residue

The dipeptide, L-prolyl-L-leucine monohydrate (C₁₁ H₂₀ N₂ O₃· H₂O, molecular weight, 246.3) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2_1/, with cell constants: a = 6.492(2)Å b = 5.417(8)Å c = 20.491(5)Å, β= 96.59(2)°, Z = 2, Do = 1.15g/cm³, and Dc = 1.142g/cm³. The structure was solved by SHELX-86 and refined by full matrix least squares methods to a final R-factor of 0.081 for 660 unique reflections (I > 2σ (I)) measured on an Enraf Nonius CAD-4 diffractometer (CuK_x, λ= 1.5418 4AR, T = 293 K). The peptide linkage exists in the trans conformation. The pyrrolidine ring exists in the envelope conformation. The values of the sidechain torsion angles are: ψ₁= -59.3(13)°, ψ₂₁= -63.1(16)° and ψ₂₂= 174.8(15)° for leucine (C-terminal). The crystal structure is stabilised by a three-dimensional network of N—H… O, O—H… O, and C—H…O hydrogen bonds.     

Linear tripeptide conformation

The structures of two tripeptides, Cbz-glycylglycyltyrosine methyl ester (ZGGYOMe) and Cbz-glycyl-(D,L)tyrosylglycine ethyl ester (ZGYGOEt) have been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Crystals of ZGGYOMe are monoclinic, space group P2₁, with a= 12.427(3), b= 4.999(3), c= 17.401(6) Å, β= 99.98(2)° and Z= 2. The final R-index is 0.049 for 1698 reflections with I≥2 σ(I). Crystals of ZGYGOEt are monoclinic, space group P2₁/n with a= 12.134(8), b= 14.614(3), c= 26.154(9) Å, β= 98.78(4)°, Z= 8. The final R-index is 0.067 for 4457 reflections with I≥2 σ(I). Both peptides adopt highly extended structures; principal torsion angles are ω₀= 175.0(4)°, φ₁= 69.2(5)°, ψ₁=? 154.9(4)°, ω₁=?175.8(4)°, φ₂= 165.4(4)°, ψ₂= 154.2(3)°, ω₂= 169.6(3)°, φ₃=?94.8(5)°, ψ₃=?47.6(5)° for ZGGYOMe and, for the two independent molecules of ZGYGOEt, ω₀= 177.9(4)°, 178.9(4)°, φ₁=?172.0(4)°, 169.7(4)°ψ₁= 174.4(4)°, ?162.5(4)°; ω₁= -170.1(4)°, 176.7(4)°; φ₂=?130.8(4)°, 130.3(5)°; ψ₂= 162.8(4)°, ?163.3(4)°; ω₂=?177.6(4)°, 176.2(4)°; φ₃=? 169.9(4)°, 172.9(4)°; ψ₃=? 168.2(4)°, 160.9(4)°. The structures are of interest since the first one adopts a conformation unlike those of related GGX sequences and the latter shows an antiparallel hydrogen-bonding pattern.     

Crystal structure and conformation of two N-tosyl-protected dipeptides containing amino acids with polar side-chains

X-Ray diffraction studies and energy-minimization calculations were carried out on two dipeptides, N-tosyl-l -Ser-Gly-OMe monohydrate (C₁₃H₁₈N₂O₆S·H₂O, compound A) and N-tosyl-l -Thr-Gly-OMe (C₁₄H₂₀N₂O₆, compound B). Compound A crystallized in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁ with unit cell parameters a= 4.915(1), b= 15.625(4), c= 11.003(1) Å, β= 91.28(1)°, V= 844.8 ų. M_r= 348.4, d= 1.37(2) g cm^?3, Z = 2, λ(Cu Kα) = 1.5418 Å, μ= 1.99 mm^?1, T=293 K. R= 0.032 for 1451 unique reflections with I > 2σ(I). Compound B crystallized in the orthorhombic system, space group P2₁2₁2₁, with unit cell parameters a= 5.050(2), b= 16.483(3), c= 20.769(5) Å, V= 1729.3 ų, Z = 4. M_r= 344.4, d= 1.32(2) g cm^?3, μ(Cu Kα)= 1.90 mm^?1. R= 0.040 for 1060 unique reflections with I > 2σ(I). The major difference in the backbone conformation of the two compounds is in their glycine residues, with the glycine residue in compound A adopting an extended conformation with φ= - 132.6(3)° and ψ= 175.3(3)° and that in compound B having a folded conformation with φ=?56.3(6)° and ψ=?42.6(7)°. In compound A the oxygen atom of the Ser side-chain and the carbonyl oxygen atom of glycine are bridged by the water of crystallization through O—H ··· O hydrogen bonds, resulting in the relatively rare trans conformation [χ=? 175.7(2)°] for this side-chain. The Thr side-chain in compound B is in the sterically preferred (tg^?) conformation [χ^1,1=? 179.4(4)° and χ^1,2=?62.3(5)°]. The conformations were found to be in general agreement with those obtained by an energy-minimization procedure. The energy-minimized structure of N-tosyl-l -Ser-Gly-Ome (anhydrous) showed a strong hydrophobic interaction between the methyl substituents of the tosyl group and the methyl ester (C—C = 4.08 Å).     

Structure and conformation of linear peptides. IX. Structure of l-tyrosyl-l-phenylalanine

The dipeptide, l -tyrosyl-l -phenylalanine (C₁₈H₂₀N₂O₄, molecular weight = 346) crystallizes as a monohydrate in the orthorhombic system, space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a = 5.744(2), b = 8.284(2), c = 35.518(6)Å, Z = 4. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to a final R-index of 0.060. The peptide unit is trans and planar, and makes a dihedral angle of 93° with the plane of the carboxyl group. The backbone torsion angles are given by: ø₁ = 164.7°, ω₁ = 177.0°, φ₂ = – 70.1°, ø₂ = 146.6°. The values of the side-chain torsion angles (χ₁, χ₂) are (47.3°, 79.9°) for tyrosine and (– 75.1°, 75.9°) for phenylalanine. The planes of the two (side-chain) aromatic rings make a dihedral angle of 142.6° and their centres are separated by 9.3 Å.     

Conformation and hydrogen bonding of N-formylpeptides: crystal and molecular structure of N-formyl-l-alanyl-l-aspartic acid†

Crystals of N-formyl-l -alanyl-l -aspartic acid (C₈H₁₁N₂O₆) grown from aqueous methanol solution are orthorhombic, space group, P2₁2₁2₁ with cell parameters at 294 K of a = 13.619(2), b = 8.567(2), c = 9.583(3)Å, V = 1118.1ų, M.W. = 232.2, Z = 4, D_m= 1.38g/cm³ and D_x= 1.378g/cm³. The crystal structure was solved by the application of direct methods and refined to an R value of 0.075 for 1244 reflections with I ≥ 3σ collected on a CAD-4 diffractometer. The structure contains two short inter-molecular hydrogen bonds: (i) between the C-terminal carboxyl OH and the N-acyl oxygen (2.624(3)Å), a characteristic feature found in many N-acyl peptides and (ii) between the aspartic carboxyl OH and the peptide oxygen OP1 (2.623(3)Å). The peptide is nonplanar (ω= 165.5(6)°). The molecule takes up a folded conformation in contrast to N-formyl peptides which form extended β-sheets; the values of ø₁, Ψ₁, ø₂, Ψ¹₂, and Ψ²₂ are, respectively –65.7(6), 152.0(5), –107.2(5), 30.9(5), and –150.3(6). The aspartic acid side chain conformation is g^? with χ¹= 73.1(5). The formyl group, as expected, is transplanar [OF-CF-N1-CA1 = -4.0(8)°]. The presence of the short O–H … O hydrogen bond emerges as a structural feature common to this peptide and several other N-formyl peptides. There are no C-H … O hydrogen bonds in this structure.     

Conformational investigation of α,β-dehydropeptides Part VI. Molecular and crystal structure of benzyloxycarbonylglycyl-(Z)-dehydrophenylalanine

The structure of a peptide containing C-terminal dehydrophenylalanine, Z-Gly-(Z)-δPhe (C₁₉H₁₈N₂O₅, MW = 354) was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Needle-shaped crystals were grown from a 1:1 mixture of methanol-acetone in the monoclinic space group P2₁ with a= 14.717(4), b= 4.941(2), c= 12.073(4) Å, β= 103.72(4)?; V= 852.86(8) ų, Z= 2 and D_c= 1.32 g cm ^?3. The structure was solved by direct methods using SHELXS-86 and refined to a final R-index of 0.032 for 1714 observed reflections. The peptide adopts a conformation folded at the glycine residue, and principal torsion angles are ω₀= 167.6(2)?, pHGR;₁= -71.8(3)?, ψ₁= -31.6(4)?, ω_l= - 165.7(3)?, pHGR;₂= 65.6(4)?, ψ1/2 = -174.4(3)? and ψ2/2 = 5.2(4)?. Two intermolecular hydrogen bonds, N₁—H…O_o and O₂—H…O′₁, join the folded molecules into columns and link columns to each other, respectively. FTIR spectroscopy shows the presence of three hydrogen bonds. This third one has been interpreted as an intramolecular hydrogen bond of the N₂—H…N₁ type. © Munksgaard 1994.     

The crystal structure of Boc-Pro-Val-Gly-NH2, with a remark on the conformation of the valyl residues in peptides

The crystal structure of Boc-Pro-Val-Gly-NH₂ has been determined: monoclinic; P2₁; a = 9.331 (3) Å, b = 9.532 (4), c = 23.080 (9), β= 91.33 (3)R, Z = 4; R = 0.053 for 3400 reflections with ˙Fo˙,>α(Fo). There are two independent but very similar molecules in the crystal. The peptide main chains are in an extended form, and packed in two kinds of antiparallel β sheets, the (φ, Φ) angles of the central Val residues are (-156°, 146°) and (-139°, 155°), and the mean length of the N- H . 0 hydrogen bonds in the sheets is 2.965 Å. A detailed study of the conformations of the Val residues in oligopeptide crystals shows that the preferred conformation of Val in peptides is: the (φ, Φ) angles close to those of the antiparallel β sheet, and C^γ1 and C^γ2, against N with respect to the C^α– C^β bond, at either (trans, gauche) or (-gauche, gauche). The mean π(NC^αC') angle of such Val residues is 107.9(9)°. A twisting in the β sheets is also discussed.     

Parallel and antiparallel aggregation of α-helices

An apolar helical decapeptide with different end groups, Boc- or Ac-, crystallizes in a completely parallel fashion for the Boc-analog and in an antiparallel fashion for the Ac-analog. In both crystals, the packing motif consists of rows of parallel molecules. In the Boc-crystals, adjacent rows assemble with the helix axes pointed in the same direction. In the Ac-crystals, adjacent rows assemble with the helix axes pointed in opposite directions. The conformations of the molecules in both crystals are quite similar, predominantly α-helical, except for the tryptophanyl side chain where χ¹? 60° in the Boc- analog and ? 180° in the Ac-analog. As a result, there is one lateral hydrogen bond between helices, N(lε)…O(7), in the Ac-analog. The structures do not provide a ready rationalization of packing preference in terms of side-chain interactions and do not support a major role for helix dipole interactions in determining helix orientation in crystals. The crystal parameters are as follow. Boc-analog: C₃H₇,N₁₁O₁₃ C₃H₇OH, space group P1 with a = 10.250(3) Å, b = 12.451(4) Å, c = 15.077(6) Å, x= 96.55(3)°, β= 92.31(3)°, y= 106.37(3)°, Z = 1, R = 5.5% for 5581 data (|F| > 3.0a(F)), resolution 0.89 Å. Ac-analog: C₅₇,H₉₁,N₁₁,O₁₂, space group P2₁, with a = 9.965(1) Å, b = 19.707(3) Å, c = 16.648(3) Å, β= 94.08(1), Z = 2, R = 7.2% for 2530 data (|F| > 3.0σ(F)), resolution 1.00 Å.