Structural features of linear, homo-Aib-based peptides in solution: a spectroscopic and molecular mechanics investigation

J Pept Res. 2000 Nov;56(5):298-306. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-3011.2000.00772.x.

Abstract

In continuation of our studies on the determination of the structural features of functionalized peptides in solution by combining time-resolved fluorescence data and molecular mechanics results, the conformational properties of a series of linear, homo-Aib peptides in methanol (a structure-supporting solvent) were investigated. These compounds have the general formula P(Aib)nN, where Aib is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, N is naphthalene and P is the monomethylated protoporphyrin IX, the two latter chromophores being covalently attached to the peptide C- and N-termini, respectively, while n=3, 6 and 9. According to 1H NMR and IR spectra, the peptides investigated largely populate a 3(10)-helical structure in CDCl3, which is also a structure-supporting solvent. Both steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements show a strong quenching of the N emission that parallels an increase of the P fluorescence intensity, suggesting the occurrence of long-range energy transfer from 1N* to ground-state P. Comparison of quenching efficiencies and lifetime pre-exponents with those obtained theoretically from the deepest energy minimum conformers is very satisfactory. The computed structures, built up by partially taking into account the solvent medium, exhibit a rigid, highly compact arrangement, owing to both the 3(10)-helix conformation of the backbone chain and the very few peptide-to-chromophore covalent linkages. As a result, only one or two stable conformations for each peptide were theoretically found, in full agreement with the time-resolved fluorescence data. Orientational effects between the probes must be taken into account for a correct interpretation of the fluorescence decay results, which implies that interconversion among conformational substates of the N linkages is slower than 10 ns, corresponding to the upper limit of the energy transfer characteristic time.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminoisobutyric Acids / chemistry*
  • Aminoisobutyric Acids / metabolism
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide
  • Fluorescence
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Kinetics
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Methanol
  • Models, Molecular
  • Naphthalenes / chemistry
  • Naphthalenes / metabolism
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry*
  • Oligopeptides / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protoporphyrins / chemistry
  • Protoporphyrins / metabolism
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Spectrophotometry, Infrared
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Aminoisobutyric Acids
  • Naphthalenes
  • Oligopeptides
  • Protoporphyrins
  • 2-aminoisobutyric acid
  • protoporphyrin IX
  • Methanol
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide