Effects of the alternating backbone configuration on the secondary structure and self-assembly of beta-peptides

J Am Chem Soc. 2006 Oct 18;128(41):13539-44. doi: 10.1021/ja063890c.

Abstract

Heterochiral homo-oligomers with alternating backbone configurations were constructed by using the different enantiomers of the cis- and trans-2-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid (ACPC) monomers. Molecular modeling and the spectroscopic techniques (NMR, ECD, and VCD) unequivocally proved that the alternating heterochiral cis-ACPC sequences form an H10/12 helix, where extra stabilization can be achieved via the cyclic side chains. The ECD and TEM measurements, together with molecular modeling, revealed that the alternating heterochiral trans-ACPC oligomers tend to attain a polar-strand secondary structure in solution, which can self-assemble into nanostructured fibrils. The observations indicate that coverage of all the possible secondary structures (various helix types and strand-mimicking conformations) can be attained with the help of cyclic beta-amino acid diastereomers. A relationship has been established between the backbone chirality pattern and the prevailing secondary structure, which underlines the role of stereochemical control in the beta-peptide secondary structure design and may contribute to future biological applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acids, Cyclic / chemistry*
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Cycloleucine / analogs & derivatives
  • Cycloleucine / chemistry
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Solutions / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Amino Acids, Cyclic
  • Peptides
  • Solutions
  • Cycloleucine
  • cispentacin