摘要:
Covalent crosslinks can control local peptide conformation. In tripeptide sequences of the general formula Cys-Xxx-Cys, cysteine disulfides have been previously shown to enforce a C-7 equatorial gamma-turn conformation (also referred to as an inverse gamma-turn). Much less is known about the effects of dityrosine and ditryptophan crosslinks on local peptide structure. In a series of tripeptides, ditryptophan crosslinks were formed using the two-step process of acid-promoted Mannich dimerization followed by oxidative aromatization. In these peptides, with the general formula Trp-Xxx-Trp (Xxx not equal Gly), ditryptophan crosslinks were found to stabilize a C-7 equatorial gamma-turn conformation in DMSO-d(6). Rigorous support for a C-7 equatorial conformation in the crosslinked sequence Trp-Pro-Trp came from a variety of H-1 NMR experiments and molecular modelling. Interproton distances were derived from NOE buildups that were determined through a series of double pulsed field gradient spin echo (DPFGSE) experiments. In addition, the small temperature dependence of the i + 2 NH chemical shifts (Delta delta/Delta T < 2 ppm/degrees C) provided further support for the intramolecular hydrogen bond which defines a gamma-turn. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.