Solid state and solution conformation of [Ala7]-phalloidin: a synthetic phallotoxin analogue

Chemistry. 2001 Apr 1;7(7):1479-85. doi: 10.1002/1521-3765(20010401)7:7<1479::aid-chem1479>3.0.co;2-2.

Abstract

Phallotoxins are toxic compounds produced by poisonous mushroom Amanita phalloides and belong to the class of bicyclic peptides with a transannular thioether bridge. Their intoxication mechanism in the liver involves a specific binding of the toxins to F-actin that, consequently, prevents the depolymerization equilibrium with G-actin. Even though the conformational features of phallotoxins have been worked out in solution, the exact mechanism of interaction with F-actin is still unknown. In this study a toxic phalloidin synthetic derivative, bicyclo(Ala1-D-Thr2-Cys3-cis-4-hydroxy-Pro4-Ala5-2-mercapto-Trp6-Ala7)(S-3-->6) has been synthesized. A substitution at position 7. with an Ala residue replaces the 4,5-dihydroxy-Leu present in the natural phalloidin. This analogue has formed crystals suitable for X-ray analysis, and represents the first case for such a class of compounds. The solid-state structure as well as the solution conformation have been evaluated. NMR techniques have been used to extract interproton distances as restraints in subsequent molecular dynamics calculations. Finally, a direct comparison between structures in solution and in the solid state is presented.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / chemistry
  • Amanita / chemistry
  • Amanitins / chemistry*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Models, Molecular
  • Phalloidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Phalloidine / chemistry*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary

Substances

  • Actins
  • Ala(7)-phalloidin
  • Amanitins
  • Phalloidine
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide