ISSN:
0006-3525
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Sequential polypeptides (L-Arg-X-Gly)n were prepared as synthetic models of arginine-rich histones to study their structure and their stereospecific interactions with DNA. In our previous work the conformational characteristics of poly(L-Arg-L-Ala-Gly), poly(L-Arg-L-Val-Gly), and poly(L-Arg-L-Leu-Gly) have already been analyzed. To obtain further insight into the influence of the X residue side chain on the conformation of the (L-Arg-X-Gly)n polytripeptides, we now report their synthesis and cd properties when X represents the amino acid residues Ile, Nva, and Nle. The pentachlorophenyl active esters of the appropriate tripeptides were used to perform the polymerization, and the toluene-4-sulfonyl group was used to protect the arginine guanido group. CD spectroscopy showed that, in 100% trifluoroethanol, the degree of helical conformation increased in the order Ile → Nle → Nva. An equilibrium between β-turn, α-helix, and random-coil conformers occurred in 100% hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol, while a rise in the temperature or the addition of water favored the α-helix, the highest percentage of which was observed in a mixture of hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol: water (20 : 80) and in the order Ile → Nle → Nva. In aqueous solutions (at pH 7 and 12) the polymers behaved as a random coil, but they were forced to a less aperiodic structure, over a range of ionic strengths (0-0.5M NaF). A rise in temperature of up to 70°C in 100% trifluoroethanol resulted in a decrease of the α-helix percentage of the polymers, while in aqueous solutions the aperiodic structure decreased with increasing temperature. This study proved the importance of the nature of the X residue (length, Cβ branching) in relation to the structural order of the sequential polypeptides. We concluded that the polymers prepared are suitable models for arginine-rich histones.
Additional Material:
9 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bip.360270205
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