A new strategy to induce gamma-turns: peptides composed of alternating alpha-aminoxy acids and alpha-amino acids

Consecutive Ribosomal Incorporation of α-Aminoxy/α-Hydrazino Acids with l/d-Configurations into Nascent Peptide Chains

α-Aminoxy and α-hydrazino acids are β-amino acid analogs with β-carbons replaced by oxygen and nitrogen, respectively. Such heteroatoms dictate the folding of peptides into specific secondary structures called pseudo-γ-turns. Achiral α-aminoxyacetic acid (^NOGly) and l-α-hydrazinophenylalanine (l-^NNPhe) have been shown to be suitable for single incorporation during ribosomal translation, but whether ribosomes tolerate other types of α-aminoxy/α-hydrazino acids with l/d-configurations is unknown. Moreover, whether multiple or consecutive incorporations are possible remains unclear. We show, for the first time, multiple and consecutive incorporations of α-aminoxy/α-hydrazino acids with l/d-configurations into various model peptides, including macrocyclic peptide scaffolds.

S-Denitrosylase-like Activity of Cyclic Diselenides Conjugated with Xaa-His Dipeptide: Role of Proline Spacer as a Key Activity Booster

This study developed dipeptide-conjugated 1,2-diselenan-4-amine (1), i.e., 1-Xaa-His, as a new class of S-denitrosylase mimic. The synthesized compounds, especially 1-Pro-His, remarkably promoted S-denitrosylation of nitrosothiols (RSNO) via a catalytic cycle involving the reversible redox reaction between the diselenide and its corresponding diselenol ([SeH,SeH]) form with coexisting reductant thiols (R'SH), during which the [SeH,SeH] form as a key reactive species reduces RSNO to the corresponding thiol (RSH). Structural analyses of 1-Pro-His suggested that the peptide backbone of [SeH,SeH] is rigidly bent to form a γ-turn, possibly including an NH···Se hydrogen bond between the imidazole ring of His and selenol group, thus stabilizing the [SeH,SeH] form thermodynamically, and dramatically enhancing the catalytic activity. Furthermore, the synthetic compounds were found to prohibit S-nitrosylation-induced protein misfolding in the presence of RSNO, eventually implying their potential as a drug seed for misfolding diseases caused by the dysregulation of the S-denitrosylation system.

Host-Guest Induced Peptide Folding with Sequence-Specific Structural Chirality

Controlling the spatial and temporal behavior of peptide segments is essential in the fabrication of functional peptide-based materials and nanostructures. To achieve a desired structure, complex sequence design is often required, coupled with the inclusion of unnatural amino acids or synthetic modifications. Herein, we investigate the structural properties of 1:1 inclusion complexes between specific oligopeptides and cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]), inducing the formation of turns, and by alteration of the peptide sequence, tunable structural chirality. We also explore extended peptide sequence binding with CB[8], demonstrating a simple approach to construct a peptide hairpin.

Hybrid Peptides Based on α-Aminoxy Acids as Antimicrobial and Anticancer Foldamers

α-Aminoxy peptides represent an interesting group of peptidomimetics with high proteolytic stability and the ability to fold into specific, predictable secondary structures. Here, we present a series of hybrid peptides consisting of α-aminoxy acids and α-amino acids with cationic and aromatic, hydrophobic side chains in an alternating manner synthesized using an efficient protocol that combines solution- and solid-phase synthesis. 2D ROESY experiments with a representative hexamer suggested the presence of a 7/8 helical conformation in solution. Biological evaluation revealed a significant impact of the peptide chain length and the N-terminal cap on the antimicrobial and anticancer properties of this series of hybrid peptides. The Fmoc-capped peptide 6e displayed the most potent antimicrobial activity against a panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains (e. g. against E. Coli: MIC=8 mg/L; S. aureus: MIC=4 mg/L).

Evaluation of topologically distinct constrained antimicrobial peptides with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short cationic peptides with a high affinity for membranes and emerged as a promising therapeutic approach with potential for treating infectious diseases. Chemical stabilization of short peptides proved to be a successful approach for enhancing their bio-physical properties. Herein, we designed and synthesized a panel of conformationally constrained antimicrobial peptides with either α-helical or β-hairpin conformation using templating strategies. These synthetic short constrained peptides possess different topological distributions of hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues and displayed distinct antimicrobial activity. Notably, the conformationally constrained α-helical peptides displayed a faster internalization into the bacteria cells compared to their β-hairpin analogues. These synthetic short constrained peptides showed killing effects on a broad spectrum of microorganisms mainly through pore formation and membrane damage which provided a potentially promising skeleton for the next generation of stabilized antimicrobial peptides.

From glucose to enantiopure morpholino β-amino acid: a new tool for stabilizing γ-turns in peptides

“Environmentally sustainable” synthesis of a new enantiopure morpholino β-amino acid from glucose: a new tool for exotic peptide architectures.

Reversal of H-bonding direction by N-sulfonation in a synthetic reverse-turn peptide motif

This communication depicts an intriguing example of hydrogen-bonding reversal upon introduction of a sulfonamide linkage at the N-terminus of a synthetic reverse-turn peptide motif. The ready availability of two sulfonyl oxygen atoms, as hydrogen-bonding acceptors, combined with the inherent twisted conformation of sulfonamides are seen to act as switches that engage/disengage the hydrogen-bond at the sticky ends/termini.

Chiral alpha-aminoxy acid/achiral cyclopropane alpha-aminoxy acid unit as a building block for constructing the alpha N-O helix

The monomer 1 derived from achiral 1-(aminoxy)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (OAcc) and oligopeptides 2-9 consisting of a chiral alpha-aminoxy acid and an achiral alpha-aminoxy acid such as OAcc were synthesized and their structures characterized. The eight-membered-ring intramolecular hydrogen bond, namely the alpha N-O turn, was formed between adjacent residues independent of their chirality. However, the helix formation was sequence-dependent. Dipeptide 2 bearing chiral alpha-aminoxy acid (d-OAA) at the N-terminus and achiral OAcc at the C-terminus preferentially adopted a right-handed 1.8(8) helical structure, but dipeptide 3 (OAcc-d-OAA) did not. Theoretical calculation results, in good agreement with experimental ones, revealed that the biased handedness of alpha N-O turn found in OAcc residue depends on its preceding chiral residue. It was then found that the helical conformation was destroyed in the case of oligopeptides 6 and 7 [OAA-(OAcc)(n), n = 2, 3]. The crystal structure of tripeptide 8 ((i)PrCO-d-OVal-OAcc-d-OVal-NH(i)Bu) further disclosed the helical structure formed by three consecutive homochiral alpha N-O turns. This study has uncovered achiral aminoxy acid residues such as the OAcc unit as a useful building block to be incorporated into chiral aminoxy peptides to mimic chiral helix structure.

Helix formation in preorganized beta/gamma-peptide foldamers: hydrogen-bond analogy to the alpha-helix without alpha-amino acid residues

We report the first high-resolution structural data for the beta/gamma-peptide 13-helix (i,i+3 C=O...H-N H-bonds), a secondary structure that is formed by oligomers with a 1:1 alternation of beta- and gamma-amino acid residues. Our characterization includes both crystallographic and 2D NMR data. Previous studies suggested that beta/gamma-peptides constructed from conformationally flexible residues adopt a different helical secondary structure in solution. Our design features preorganized beta- and gamma-residues, which strongly promote 13-helical folding by the 1:1 beta/gamma backbone.

Crystallographic characterization of helical secondary structures in 2:1 and 1:2 alpha/beta-peptides

Oligomers containing both alpha- and beta-amino acid residues ("alpha/beta-peptides") are intriguing as potential foldamers. A large set of alpha/beta-peptide backbones can be generated by combining alpha- and beta-amino acid residues in different patterns; however, most research to date has focused on the simplest pattern, 1:1 alpha:beta. We have begun to explore the range of variation that can be achieved with alpha-residue/beta-residue combinations by examining the folding behavior of oligomers that contain 2:1 and 1:2 alpha:beta patterns. The beta-residues in our systems have a five-membered-ring constraint (trans-2-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid (ACPC) residues), because these preorganized subunits strongly promote helical folding for 1:1 alpha:beta backbones and pure beta backbones. Previously we concluded that two helical conformations are available to 2:1 and 1:2 alpha/beta-peptides containing ACPC or analogously constrained beta-residues, one helix defined by i,i+3 CO...H-N backbone hydrogen bonds and the other defined by i,i+4 CO...H-N hydrogen bonds. These deductions were based on 2D NMR analysis of a 2:1 heptamer and a 1:2 hexamer in methanol. Crystallographic analysis of a pair of analogous nonpolar alpha/beta-peptides showed only the i,i+3 hydrogen-bonded helical conformations. We now report four new crystal structures of 2:1 alpha/beta-peptides, ranging in length from 5 to 11 residues, and six new crystal structures of 1:2 alpha/beta-peptides, ranging in length from 6 to 10 residues. All 10 of these new structures are fully helical, and all helices display the i,i+3 CO...H-N hydrogen bonding pattern. These crystallographic data sets, collectively, provide high structural definition for the i,i+3 hydrogen-bonded helical secondary structures available to these foldamer backbones.

The effect of backbone stereochemistry on the folding of acyclic beta(2, 3)-aminoxy peptides

As a new type of foldamer, beta-aminoxy peptides have the ability to adopt novel beta N--O turns or beta N--O helices in solution. Herein, we describe a new subclass of beta-aminoxy peptide, that is, peptides of acyclic beta(2, 3)-aminoxy acids (NH(2)OCHR(1)CHR(2)COOH), in which the presence of two chiral centers provides insight into the effect of backbone stereochemistry on the folding of beta-aminoxy peptides. Acyclic beta(2, 3)-aminoxy peptides with syn and anti configurations have been synthesized and their conformations investigated by NMR, IR, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic, and X-ray crystallographic analysis. The beta N--O turns or beta N--O helices, which feature nine-membered rings with intramolecular hydrogen bonds and have been identified previously in peptides of beta(3)- and beta(2, 2)-aminoxy acids, are also predominantly present in the acyclic beta(2, 3)-aminoxy peptides with a syn configuration and N--O bonds gauche to the C(alpha)--C(beta) bonds in both solution and the solid state. In the acyclic beta(2, 3)-aminoxy peptides with an anti configuration, an extended strand (i.e., non-hydrogen-bonded state) is found in the solid state, and several conformations including non-hydrogen-bonded and intramolecular hydrogen-bonded states are present simultaneously in nonpolar solvents. These results suggest that the backbone stereochemistry does affect the folding of the acyclic beta(2, 3)-aminoxy peptides. Theoretical calculations on the conformations of model acyclic beta(2, 3)-aminoxy peptides with different backbone stereochemistry were also conducted to elucidate structural characteristics. Our present work may provide useful guidelines for the design and construction of new foldamers with predicable structures.

New strategies for the design of folded peptoids revealed by a survey of noncovalent interactions in model systems

Controlling the equilibria between backbone cis- and trans-amides in peptoids, or N-substituted glycine oligomers, constitutes a significant challenge in the construction of discretely folded peptoid structures. Through the analysis of a set of monomeric peptoid model systems, we have developed new and general strategies for controlling peptoid conformation that utilize local noncovalent interactions to regulate backbone amide rotameric equilibria, including n-->pi*, steric, and hydrogen bonding interactions. The chemical functionalities required to implement these strategies are typically confined to the peptoid side chains, preserve chirality at the side chain N-alpha-carbon known to engender peptoid structure, and are fully compatible with standard peptoid synthesis techniques. Our examinations of peptoid model systems have also elucidated how solvents affect various side chain-backbone interactions, revealing fundamental aspects of these noncovalent interactions in peptoids that were largely uncharacterized previously. As validation of our monomeric model systems, we extended the scope of this study to include peptoid oligomers and have now demonstrated the importance of local steric and n-->pi* interactions in dictating the structures of larger, folded peptoids. This new, modular design strategy has guided the construction of peptoids containing 1-naphthylethyl side chains, which we show can be utilized to effectively eliminate trans-amide rotamers from the peptoid backbone, yielding the most conformationally homogeneous class of peptoid structures yet reported in terms of amide rotamerism. Overall, this research has afforded a valuable and expansive set of design tools for the construction of both discretely folded peptoids and structurally biased peptoid libraries and should shape our understanding of peptoid folding.

Alpha-aminoxy acids: new possibilities from foldamers to anion receptors and channels

Naturally occurring peptides serve important functions as enzyme inhibitors, hormones, neurotransmitters, and immunomodulators in many physiological processes including metabolism, digestion, pain sensitivity, and the immune response. However, due to their conformational flexibility and poor bioavailability, such peptides are not generally viewed as useful therapeutic agents in clinical applications. In an effort to solve these problems, chemists have developed peptidomimetic foldamers, unnatural oligomeric molecules that fold into rigid and well-defined secondary structures mimicking the structures and biological functions of these natural peptides. We have designed peptidomimetic foldamers that give predictable, backbone-controlled secondary structures irrespective of the nature of the side chains. This Account presents our efforts to develop a novel class of peptidomimetic foldamers comprising alpha-aminoxy acids and explore their applications in the simulation of ion recognition and transport processes in living systems. Peptides constructed from alpha-aminoxy acids fold according to the following rules: (1) A strong intramolecular eight-membered-ring hydrogen bond forms between adjacent alpha-aminoxy acid residues (the alpha N-O turn). The chirality of the alpha-carbon, not the nature of the side chains, determines the conformation of this chiral N-O turn. (2) While homochiral oligomers of alpha-aminoxy acids form an extended helical structure (1.8 8 helix), heterochiral ones adopt a bent reverse turn structure. (3) In peptides of alternating alpha-amino acids and alpha-aminoxy acids, the seven-membered-ring intramolecular hydrogen bond, that is, the gamma-turn, is initiated by a succeeding alpha N-O turn. Thus, this type of peptide adopts a novel 7/8 helical structure. In investigating the potential applications of alpha-aminoxy acids, we have found that the amide NH units of alpha-aminoxy acids are more acidic than are regular amide NH groups, which makes them better hydrogen bond donors when interacting with anions. This property makes alpha-aminoxy acids ideal building blocks for the construction of anion receptors. Indeed, we have constructed both cyclic and acyclic anion receptors that have strong affinities and good (enantio-)selectivities toward chloride (Cl(-)) and chiral carboxylate ions. Taking advantage of these systems' preference for Cl(-) ions, we have also employed alpha-aminoxy acid units to construct a synthetic Cl(-) channel that can mediate the passage of Cl(-) ions across cell membranes. Continued studies of these peptidomimetic systems built from alpha-aminoxy acids should lead to a broad range of applications in chemistry, biology, medicine, and materials science.

Propensity for local folding induced by the urea fragment in short-chain oligomers

Examination of local folding and H-bonding patterns in model compounds can be extremely informative to gain insight into the propensity of longer-chain oligomers to adopt specific folding patterns (i.e. foldamers) based on remote interactions. Using a combination of experimental techniques (i.e. X-ray diffraction, FT-IR absorption and NMR spectroscopy) and theoretical calculations at the density functional theory (DFT) level, we have examined the local folding patterns induced by the urea fragment in short-chain aza analogues of beta- and gamma-amino acid derivatives. We found that the urea-turn, a robust C(8) conformation based on 1<--3 H-bond interaction, is largely populated in model ureidopeptides (I-IV) obtained by replacing the alpha-carbon of a beta-amino acid by a nitrogen. This H-bonding scheme is likely to compete with remote H-bond interactions, thus preventing the formation of secondary structures based on remote intrastrand interactions in longer oligomers. In related oligomers obtained by the addition of a methylene in the main chain (V-VIII), nearest-neighbour H-bonded interactions are unfavourable i.e. the corresponding C9 folding pattern is hardly populated. In this series, folding based on remote intrastrand interactions becomes possible for longer oligomers. We present spectroscopic evidence that tetraurea VIII is likely to be the smallest unit capable of reproducing the H-bonded motif found in 2.5-helical N,N'-linked oligoureas.

Hydrogen-Bonding-Mediated Anthranilamide Homoduplexes. Increasing Stability through Preorganization and Iterative Arrangement of a Simple Amide Binding Site

This paper describes the assembly of two new series of self-complementary duplexes by making use of amide units, the simplest assembling units of hydrogen bonding, as binding sites. All the new monomers possess a rigidified anthranilamide skeleton, which is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Amide units are iteratively introduced to one side of the preorganized skeletons to facilitate the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Compounds 2 and 3 bear two and three CONH(2) units, respectively, while 4, 6, and 7 are incorporated with two, three, and four AcNH units, respectively. For comparison, compound 5, which is similar to 4 but contains one AcNH and one CF(3)CONH unit, is also prepared. X-ray diffraction analysis of 2, 4, and 5 revealed homodimeric motifs in the solid state which are stabilized by two or more intermolecular hydrogen bonds. (1)H NMR investigations in CDCl(3) indicated that all the compounds form hydrogen-bonded homoduplexes. Duplexes 3.3, 6.6, and 7.7 are highly stable in CDCl(3), with a lower K(assoc) limit of 2.3 x 10(5) M(-1). The K(assoc) values of the three duplexes in more polar CDCl(3)/CD(3)CN (9:1, v/v) were determined with the (1)H NMR dilution method. The result opens the way for the development of new polymeric duplexes of well-ordered structures.

Peptides of aminoxy acids as foldamers

This Feature Article summarizes our efforts in developing a new family of foldamers from alpha-, beta- and gamma-aminoxy acids. From a series of conformational studies, we demonstrate that peptides consisting of aminoxy acids adopt several well-defined secondary structures, such as alpha N-O turns (which feature an eight-membered-ring hydrogen bond), beta N-O turns (a nine-membered-ring hydrogen bond), gamma N-O turns (a ten-membered-ring hydrogen bond), 1.8(8) helices (consecutive homochiral alpha N-O turns), 7/8 helices (alternating alpha N-O turns and gamma-turns), 1.7(9) helices (consecutive beta N-O turns), reverse turns (consecutive heterochiral alpha N-O turns) and sheet-like structures.

Hydrogen Bonded Oligohydrazide Foldamers and Their Recognition for Saccharides

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of the first series of hydrogen bonding-driven hydrazide foldamers and their recognition for alkyl saccharides in chloroform. Oligomers 1, 2-4, 5, 6, and 7, which contain one, two, four, six, or twelve repeated dibenzoyl hydrazide residues, respectively, have been prepared. The rigid and planar conformations of 1 and 2 or 4 have been established with X-ray analysis and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, whereas the folding and helical conformations of 5-7 have been evidenced by the 1D and 2D (1)H NMR and IR spectroscopy and molecular mechanics calculations. Molecular mechanics calculations also revealed that 5, 6, and 7 possess a rigid cavity with size of ca. 10.6 to 11.1 A, and half of the carbonyl groups in the folding conformations are orientated inwardly inside the cavity. (1)H NMR and CD experiments revealed that 5-7 efficiently complex alkylated mono- and disaccharides 32-35 in chloroform. The association constants (K(assoc)) of the complexes have been determined with the (1)H NMR and fluorescent titration methods. The energy-minimized conformation of 6.34 has been obtained with molecular mechanics calculation. The hydrazide-based folding structures described here represent novel examples of hydrogen bonding-driven foldamers that act as artificial receptors for selective molecular recognition.