Manh Thong Cung

Bacterial siderophores : structure and NMR assignment of pyoverdins Pa, siderophores ofPseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15692

SummaryIn iron-deficient conditions,Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15692 synthesizes two major siderophores, pyoverdins Pa and pyoverdin Pa B. Two other compounds, pyoverdin Pa A (occurring from hydrolysis of pyoverdin Pa during the culture) and pyoverdin Pa C (occurring artifactually during the purification procedure) were also isolated. All these compounds possess the same partly cyclic peptide chain wherel-Orn(δOH · HCO) isNδ-formyl,Nδ-hydroxy-l-ornithine. The chain is bound to a chromophore derived from 2,3-diamino-6,7-dihydroxyquinoline and having the (S) configuration. The four pyoverdins differ only in the acyl substituent bound to the nitrogen atom bound to carbon C3 of the chromophore. This is succinamide (pyoverdin Pa), succinic acid (pyoverdin Pa A), methyl succinate (pyoverdin Pa C) and 2-oxoglutaric acid (pyoverdin Pa B). The complete1H- and13CNMR assignments, using two-dimensional total correlation NMR spectroscopy (TOCSY) and rotating-frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (ROESY) procedures, as well as1H-13C correlations, are reported. The complete sequence of the peptide using CHα-NH correlations was achieved by NMR and confirmed the partly cyclic structure earlier reported using fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS) on the siderophores and their dansylated fragments [Briskot G, Taraz K, Budzikiewicz H (1989)Liebigs Ann Chem: 375–384]. The use of these NMR procedures appears to be a tool of choice and a complementary approach to FAB-MS in the structure determination of some complex pyoverdins.

Solution Structure of a Retro-inverso Peptide Analogue Mimicking the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Major Antigenic Site STRUCTURAL BASIS FOR ITS ANTIGENIC CROSS-REACTIVITY WITH THE PARENT PEPTIDE

The antigenic activity of a 19-mer peptide corresponding to the major antigenic region of foot-and-mouth disease virus and its retro-enantiomeric analogue was found to be completely abolished when they were tested in a biosensor system in trifluoroethanol. This suggests that the folding pattern, which is α-helix in trifluoroethanol (confirmed by CD measurement), does not correspond to the biologically relevant conformation(s) recognized by antibodies. The NMR structures of both peptides were thus determined in aqueous solution. These studies showed that the two peptides exhibit similar folding features, particularly in their C termini. This may explain in part the cross-reactive properties of the two peptides in aqueous solution. However, the retro-inverso analogue appears to be more rigid than the parent peptide and contains five atypical β-turns. This feature may explain why retro-inverso foot-and-mouth disease virus peptides are often better recognized than the parent peptide by anti-virion antibodies.

Construction and application of a new class of sequential oligopeptide carriers (SOCn) for multiple anchoring of antigenic peptides--application to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) main immunogenic region.

A new class of sequential oligopeptide carriers (SOCn), namely (Lys-Aib-Gly)n (n = 2-7), for anchoring antigenic peptides, is presented. These SOCn have been designed in order to assume a determined structural motif, exhibiting defined spatial orientations of the Lys-N epsilon H2 anchoring groups. The NMR study showed that SOCn adopt a rigid conformation with some regularity, initiated from the C-terminus of the carrier, while molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the occurrence of a distorted 3(10)-helix. It was also demonstrated, by 1HNMR, that all the antigenic peptides bound to the SOCn retain their original, folded active, structure and that probably they do not interact to each other. It is concluded that the beneficial structural elements of the SOCn impose a favorable disposition of the anchored peptides so that potent antigens with maximum molecular recognition are generated.

Isomerization of the Xaa‐Pro peptide bond induced by ionic interactions of arginine

Inclusion of Arg or Pro residues in proteins and peptides has been proved to play an essential role in biochemical functions through ionic interactions, conformational transitions, and formation of turns as well. In this study we present the conformational properties of the Ac-Arg-Ala-Pro (1), Ac-Arg-Ala-Pro-NH2 (2), Ac-Arg-Pro-Asp-NH2 (3), and Ac-Arg-Pro-Asp (4) tripeptides, using 1H-nmr spectroscopy and molecular dynamics. These peptides were modeled with the aim of studying the role of the Arg-guanidinium to carboxylate ionic interactions on the Xaa-Pro peptide bond isomerization. It was found with 1 and 4 that arginine preferentially interacts with the C-terminal carboxylate group, even though the beta-carboxylate is also accessible. This tendency of the Arg moiety was found to induce the cis disposition of the Ala-Pro peptide bond in 1. It was also confirmed that the Arg...Asp side chain-side chain ionic interaction in 3 plays a key role in backbone folding and structural stabilization through a type I beta-turn. The nmr pattern for 3 showed a remarkable similarity with that for various Arg-Tyr-Asp containing peptides, a sequence that is crucial for the adhesion properties of the Leishmania gp63 glycoprotein.

Synthesis and conformational preferences in solution and crystalline states of an aza-tripeptide

Abstract The aza-tripeptide Boc-Ala-AzPip-Ala-NHiPr (AzPip: 2-aza pipecolyl residue) was synthesized in seven steps using preferentially the diisopropylcarbodiimide/1-hydroxy-7-aza-benzotriazole (DIPCDI/AtOH) coupling method and via the Boc-AzPip-OBzl pivotal intermediate. Its crystal molecular structure is characterized by the presence of a βVI-like turn around the N-terminal Ala-AzPip sequence and stabilized by two intramolecular hydrogen bonds sharing the same (Boc)CO carbonyl acceptor. In solution (chloroform, DMSO), two isomers are in equilibrium, one of them resembling the stereoisomer found in the crystal, the other being unfolded, but keeping the cis-isomerism of the Ala-AzPip bond and the pronounced degree of pyramidicity of the axial 2-amide Nα nitrogen atom.

Conformational studies of a benzodiazepine-like peptide in SDS micelles by circular dichroism,1H NMR and molecular dynamics simulation

The conformation of a benzodiazepine-like decapeptide corresponding to the YLGYLEQLLR fragment of a casein has been examined in a sodium dodecyl sulfate micellar medium using circular dichroism, two-dimensional1H NMR spectroscopy and restrained molecular dynamics simulation. The decapeptide adopts an amphipathic 310-helicoid structure in which the E6...R10 ionic bridge stabilizes the C-terminus.

The position of the LysN?H2-grafted antigens along the sequential oligopeptide carrier, Ac-(Aib-Lys-Aib-Gly)n (SOCn-II), influences the antibody recognition: Application to the Sm main autoimmune epitope

A sequential oligopeptide carrier of antigenic peptides is presented, incorporating two Aib residues in each repetitive moiety: Ac-(Aib-Lys-Aib-Gly)(n) (SOC(n) -II; n = 2-4). The conformational study, by (1)H-nmr, CD, and Fourier transform ir spectroscopy, indicated that the SOC(n) -II carrier displays a pronounced 3(10)-helix, compared to the Ac-(Lys-Aib-Gly)(n) (SOC(n) -I) carrier of the same approximately backbone length, previously reported. One of the dominant autoimmune epitopes of the Sm and U1RNP cellular components, the PPGMRPP sequence, was coupled to the Lys-N(epsilon)H(2) groups of the SOC(n) -II carrier and used as antigenic substrate for detecting anti-Sm/U1RNP autoantibodies in ELISA assays. Anti-Sm antibodies are highly specific for systemic lupus erythematosus, while anti-U1RNP are specific for mixed connective tissue disease. The anti-(PPGMRPP)(5)-SOC(n) -II ELISA was compared with the anti-(PPGMRPP)(n) -SOC(n) -I ELISA, provided that both antigenic substrates possess the same amount of the epitope replicates. The significance of the lysine positions along the oligopeptide backbone of the carrier for a favorable antibody recognition of the anchored antigens is also examined.

A solid-phase synthesis of three aza-, iminoaza- and reduced aza-peptides from the same precursor

Using the Boc-strategy, a step-by-step synthesis on the PAM solid support of three aza-, iminoaza- and reduced aza-peptide homologues is described. From the same hydrazinocarbonyl peptide-PAM precursor, the coupling of either a Boc-amino acid or a Boc-amino aldehyde gives rise to an aza-peptide or an iminoaza-peptide, containing the Cα-CO-NH-Nα-CO-NH-Cα or Cα-CH=N-Nα-CO-NH-Cα surrogate, of the peptide motif, respetively. In situ reduction of the latter by NaBH3CN leads to a reduced aza-peptide containing the Cα-CH2-NH-Nα-CO-NH-Cα moiety. The key step synthesis of the hydrazinocarbonyl peptide-PAM precursor is carried out by coupling on the growing peptide chain theN-Boc-azaamino acid chloride obtained by the action of triphosgene on the, correspondingN-Boc-hydrazine. These modifications have been introduced in position 1–2 of the YLGYLEQLLR benzodiazepine-like decapeptide.

Conformational disturbance induced by AzPro/Pro substitution in peptides

Consequences inherent to the substitution of aza-proline (AzPro) for proline in the octapeptide TTSAPTTS, representative of the tandem repeat motif present in the peptide backbone of MUC5AC mucin, were analysed in terms of conformational perturbation and O-glycosylation aptitude. In DMSO solution, we observed the same tendency previously noted in AzPro-tripeptide models, i.e. AzPro prevents β-turn formation in which it would occupy the i+1 position, and therefore behaves quite opposite to Pro, whereas both AzPro and Pro can support a β-turn in the i+2 position with a cis disposition of the preceding tertiary amide function. The former structural modifications do not prevent O-glycosylation to take place at the same specific site, but it occurs at a reduced rate.

Conformational and antigenic properties of SRYD-containing peptide analogues of Leishmania gp63 adhesion site

The antigenicity and conformational properties of the Ser-Arg-Tyr-Asp (SRYD) segment (252–255) of the major surface glycoprotein ofLeishmania, gp63, which plays a key role in the parasite-macrophage attachement, are presented. It was found that the antibody recognition, using anti-IASRYDQL antibodies, of the SRYD-containing analogues, Ac-SRYD-NH2 (1), ANIASRYD-NH2 (2), Ac-SRYD (3), SRYD (4) and ANIASRYD (5), is rather similar. The structure of the SRYD moiety in analogues 1 and 2 is characterized by the presence of a type I β-turn, stabilized by the formation of a hydrogen bonding between the C-terminaltrans-carboxamide proton and the Arg-CO and an ionic bridge between arginine and aspartic acid side chains, while the conformation of compounds 3, 4 and 5 is stabilized by an ionic bridge between the arginine side chain and the C-terminal carboxylate group. A common structural motif involving the arginine side chain in an ionic interaction is identified in all the SRYD analogues, which may explain the observed similarities in the antibody recognition of the reported peptides.