Structure and property of self-assemble valinyl bolaform amides having different chirality.

Bolaform amides were designed from N,N'-bis(carboethoxy-L-valinyl)-diaminoethane (1) by linking t-butyloxycarbonyl-valine through ethylenediamine (EDA) to enable spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction analyses. N,N'-Bis(Boc-L-valinyl)-diaminoethane (2) and N,N'-bis(Boc-D-valinyl)-diaminoethane (3) were composed of L-Val and D-Val, respectively. N-(Boc-L-valinyl)-N'-(Boc-D-valinyl)-diaminoethane (4) was composed of both L-Val and D-Val, and was achiral (meso-peptide). Peptide 5 was a 1:1 mixture of 2 and 3, and was also achiral (racemate). These peptides mediated gelation of corn oil at a concentration of approximately 1%. Within crystals, the peptides formed beta-sheet ribbons, but differences were observed in hydrogen-bonding patterns and side-chain arrangements. These differences were also deduced from temperature dependence of amide protons. Force-field calculations based on the crystal structures indicated that association of beta-sheet ribbons had energy benefits, and it was assumed that molecular aggregation progressed spontaneously. These structural studies indicated the chirality of amino acids affected for the properties of bolaform amides.

Effect of asymmetric modification on the conformation of ascidiacyclamide analogs.

Ascidiacyclamide (ASC), cyclo(-Ile1-Oxz2-d-Val3-Thz4-)2 (Oxz=oxazoline and Thz=thiazole) has a C2-symmetric sequence, and the relationships between its conformation and symmetry have been studied. In a previous study, we performed asymmetric modifications in which an Ile residue was replaced by Gly, Leu or Phe to disturb the symmetry [Doi et al. (1999) Biopolymers49, 459-469]. In this study, the modifications were extended. The Ile1 residue was replaced by Gly, Ala, aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), Val, Leu, Phe or d-Ile, and the d-Val3 residue was replaced by Val. The structures of these analogs were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, 1H NMR and CD techniques. X-Ray diffraction analyses revealed that the [Ala1], [Aib1] and [Phe1]ASC analogs are folded, whereas [Val1]ASC has a square form. These structures are the first examples of folded structures for ASC analogs in the crystal state and are similar to the previously reported structures of [Gly1] and [Phe1]ASC in solution. The resonances of amide NH and Thz CH protons linearly shift with temperature changes; in particular, those of [Aib1], [d-Ile1] and [Val3]ASCs exhibited a large temperature dependence. DMSO titration caused nonlinear shifts of proton resonances for all analogs and largely affected [d-Ile1] and [Val3]ASCs. A similar tendency was observed upon the addition of acetone to peptide solutions. Regarding peptide concentration changes, amide NH and Thz CH protons of [Gly1]ASC showed a relatively large dependence. CD spectra of these analogs indicated approximately two patterns in MeCN solution, which were related to the crystal structures. However, all spectra showed a similar positive Cotton effect in TFE solution, except that of [Val3]ASC. In the cytotoxicity test using P388 cells, [Val1]ASC exhibited the strongest activity, whereas the epimers of ASC ([d-Ile1] and [Val3]ASCs), showed fairly moderate activities.

KNI-272, a highly selective and potent peptidic HIV protease inhibitor.

Kynostatin [KNI-272; systematic name: 3-[3-benzyl-2-hydroxy-9-(isoquinolin-5-yloxy)-6-methylsulfanylmethyl-5,8-dioxo-4,7-diazanonanoyl]-N-tert-butyl-1,3-thiazolane-4-carboxamide], a highly selective and potent HIV protease inhibitor containing allophenylnorstatin [(2S,3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid], has been crystallized as the hydrate, C(33)H(41)N(5)O(6)S(2) x 0.803H(2)O, from aqueous hexylene glycol. The observed disorder of the phenyl group in the structure is related to the mode of hydration. The backbone conformation of the molecule is twisted and the overall conformation of the free inhibitor is similar to that observed in its complex with HIV protease.

Antiparallel pleated beta-sheets observed in crystal structures of N,N-bis(trichloroacetyl) and N,N-bis(m-bromobenzoyl) gramicidin S.

Despite intensive efforts, the structures of gramicidin S (GS) [cyclo(-Val-Orn-Leu-d-Phe-Pro-)(2)] and its analogues have not been elucidated by the X-ray diffraction method, except for the GS-urea complex (Hull et al., Nature 275, 206-207, 1978; Tishchenko et al., Acta Cryst. D53, 151-159, 1997). We focused on the acetylation of GS to obtain suitable crystals for X-ray diffraction. The amino groups of Orn residues were capped with trichloroacetic and m-bromobenzoic acids. Both trichloroacetyl and m-bromobenzoyl GSs (TcGS and BzGS, respectively) are hydrophobic and their properties are similar to those of acetyl-GS (AcGS). Although it is well known that AcGS yields hexagonal crystals, TcGS and BzGS yield monoclinic and orthorhombic crystals in aqueous dimethylformamide solution, respectively. Their cell volumes were approximately one-fourth or one-eighth of the hexagonal cell volume. The crystal structures of TcGS and BzGS were determined as the first examples of acetylated GS analogues: TcGS, C(64)H(90)N(12)O(12)Cl(6). 3(C(3)H(7)NO), M(r) = 1651.47, monoclinic, P2(1), a = 15.4366(6) A, b = 18.5312(4) A, c = 16.4774(6) A, beta = 14.160(2) degrees, V = 4300.6(2) A(3), Z = 2; and BzGS, C(64)H(98)N(12)O(12)Br(2). 1.54(H(2)O), M(r) = 1535.21, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 16.748(10) A, b = 18.834(5) A, c = 28.558(10) A, V = 9008(7) A(3), Z = 4. Both these peptide molecules formed an antiparallel pleated beta-sheet, and pseudo twofold symmetries existed in the repeated sequence. beta-Turns formed at the fragments of d-Phe-Pro were classified into type II' based on their characteristics. The peptide conformations of TcGS and BzGS were similar to each other, and these structural features agreed with those of structures proposed by the previous studies.

The crystal structure of the complex of non-peptidic inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase ONO-6818 and porcine pancreatic elastase.

The crystal structure of a new inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase (HNE), N-[2-[5-(tert-butyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]-(IRS)-1-(methylethyl)-2-oxoethyl]-2-(5-amino-6-oxo-2-phenyl-6H-pyrimidin-1-ly)acetamide (ONO-6818, 1) complexed to porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) has been determined at 1.86 A resolution. Analytical results provided evidence of a 1:1 complex in which the electrophilic ketone of 1 covalently bound to O gamma of Ser195 at the active site of PPE. The role of the unique electron-withdrawing ketone of 1 has been elucidated.

Caged and clustered structures of endothelin inhibitor BQ123, cyclo(-D-Trp-D-Asp--Pro-D-Val-Leu-)-Na+, forming five and six coordination bonds between sodium ions and peptides.

BQ123 is a cyclic pentapeptide and a potent endothelin-1 inhibitor. The crystal structure of the BQ123 sodium salt was determined as the first example of an endothelin inhibitor. Four independent molecules and many solvent molecules were found in the asymmetric unit; the total weight was about 3000 Da. The precise structure including the solvent molecules was determined using high-resolution data collected on a synchrotron source. Sodium ions formed unique structures with five and six coordination bonds and their forms were distinguished into three classes. An ion was sandwiched by two BQ123 molecules. This peptide-sodium (2:1) complex showed a cage-like structure and octahedral coordination was observed. Sodium ions also formed a cluster composed of hydrated water molecules and peptides. Two sodium ions were contained in this cluster, making five coordination bonds. Despite having the same coordination numbers, these ions were distinguishable by differences in the polyhedra. One was trigonal bipyramidal (having six planes) and the other was square pyramidal (having five planes). Both shapes were very similar to each other, although the synchrotron data clearly revealed slight geometrical differences.

Crystallization and structural analysis of intact maltotetraose-forming exo-amylase from Pseudomonas stutzeri.

The intact maltotetraose-forming exo-amylase from Pseudomonas stutzeri (G4-1), which has a raw starch binding domain, has been crystallized. The structure was identified (PDB entry 1GCY) by the molecular replacement method using the structure of its catalytic domain (G4-2). The result showed that the raw starch binding domain is in a disordered state, the corresponding electron densities being almost invisible. Superposition of these two enzyme forms showed evidence for the possible location of the raw starch binding domain (SBD). This crystal is a novel case, in that it forms a regular lattice incorporating flexibly bound SBD in the channel of crystal packing of the catalytic domains.

Effects of amino acids and chirality for molecular folding of desoxazoline-ascidiacyclamide derivatives: X-ray crystal structures of four cyclic octapeptides including unusual amino acids, cyclo(-Ile-aThr-D-Val-Thz-)(2), cyclo(-Ala-aThr-D-Val-Thz-Ile-aThr-D-Val-Thz-), cyclo(-Val-aThr-D-Val-Thz-Ile-aThr-D-Val-Thz-), and cyclo(-Ile-aThr-Val-Thz-Ile-aThr-D-Val-Thz-).

Desoxazoline derivative of ascidiacyclamide (1), cyclo(-L-Ile-L-allo-threonine-D-Val-thiazole-)(2), was modified to disturb the C(2)-symmetry. An Ile(1) residue of 1 was replaced for Ala (2) or Val (3), and the D-Val(3) residue was replaced for Val (4). The crystal structures of 1-4 were analyzed by x-ray diffraction methods. The molecules of all compounds were folded and this type of structure was not observed in x-ray structures of ascidiacyclamide derivatives so far except for patellamide D. The folding patterns of 1-4 were similar to each other and resembled that of patellamide. The asymmetric modifications at position 1 caused the conformational changes at local area, and these were related with the peptide-peptide and peptide-solvent interactions. Despite the diverse backbone conformation by the epimeric modification at position 3, the entire molecule of 4 was folded. These results mean that (1) the desoxazoline-ascidiacyclamides favored the folded structures and (2) the modifications of the side chain size at position 1 and the chirality at position 3 brought the local conformational changes to derivatives, suggesting that (3) the lack of the oxazoline block leads to conformational flexibility of 1-4, which accepts the conformational change with no drastic change on the entire structure.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of endopolygalacturonase SE1 from Trichosporon penicillatum.

Endopolygalacturonase SE1 from Trichosporon penicillatum has been crystallized by the hanging-drop method of vapour diffusion using ammonium sulfate as a precipitant. The crystals belong to the hexagonal space group P6(1) or P6(5), with unit-cell parameters a = b = 135.0, c = 70.7 A, gamma = 120 degrees. The calculated V(M) based on one molecule per asymmetric unit is 3.09 A(3) Da(-1). A native data set from a crystal has been collected to 2.0 A resolution on a Cu Kalpha rotating-anode X-ray source.

Amphipathic structure of theonellapeptolide-Id, a hydrophobic tridecapeptide lactone from the Okinawa marine sponge Theonella swinhoei.

Theonellapeptolide-Id (TNLP), a cyclic tridecapeptide lactone, was crystallized from dimethylformamide-water solution. In the asymmetric unit, two peptide molecules were combined with solvent molecules, and the total molecular weight was over 3000 Dalton. The crystal structure including solvent molecules was finally determined at 0.80 A resolution using synchrotron radiation. The conformations of two independent molecules were similar to each other and were also similar to the previously reported structure (Doi, Ishida, Kobayashi, Deschamps and Flippen-Anderson, 1999, Acta Crystallogr Sect C, 55, 796-798). About 13 hydrated water molecules were found at disordered 19 sites; they were located at a certain region to avoid contact with aliphatic side-chains of peptolide in the crystal. The spatial disposition of the solvent molecules and peptides subsequently caused the formation of the amphipathic layer.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of alginate lyase A1-II from Sphingomonas species A1.

Alginate lyase A1-II of Sphingomonas species A1 was purified and crystallized using the hanging drop vapor-diffusion method in 0.1 M Tris-HCl buffer containing 43% saturated ammonium sulfate, 8% polyethylene glycol 4000 and 0.2 M Li(2)SO(4) at pH 8.5 and 20 degrees C. The crystals are tetragonal and belong to the space group P4(3)2(1)2 or P4(1)2(1)2 with unit cell dimensions of a=b=144.07 and c=296.38 A. The diffraction data up to 2.8 A were collected by a synchrotron radiation source at SPring-8 in Japan.

Three-dimensional structure of Pseudomonas isoamylase at 2.2 A resolution.

The three-dimensional structure of isoamylase from Pseudomonas amyloderamosa, which hydrolyzes alpha-1,6-glucosidic linkages of amylopectin and glycogen, has been determined by X-ray structure analysis. The enzyme has 750 amino acid residues and a molecular mass of 80 kDa, and it can be crystallized from ammonium sulfate solution. The structure was elucidated by the multiple isomorphous replacement method and refined at 2.2 A resolution, resulting in a final R-factor of 0.161 for significant reflections with a root-mean-square deviation from ideality in bond lengths of 0.009 A. The analysis revealed that in the N-terminal region, isoamylase has a novel extra domain that we call domain N, whose three-dimensional structure has not so far been reported. It has a (beta/alpha)8-barrel-type supersecondary structure in the catalytic domain common to the alpha-amylase family enzymes, though the barrel is incomplete, with a deletion of an alpha-helix between the fifth and sixth beta-strands. A long excursed region is present between the third beta-strand and the third alpha-helix of the barrel but, in contrast to the so-called domain B that has been identified in the other enzymes of alpha-amylase family, it cannot be considered to be an independent domain, because this loop forms a globular cluster together with the loop between the fourth beta-strand and the fourth alpha-helix. Isoamylase contains a bound calcium ion, but this is not in the same position as the conserved calcium ion that has been reported in other alpha-amylase family enzymes.

[Dietary factors and prevention of colon cancer].

Even when the causative factors are known, cancer may still occur in some circumstances. Many mutagenic substances occur in food. The carcinogenic potential of food compounds in humans is not yet clear. If they do play a role in the occurrence of cancer, it would be exceedingly difficult to remove them from the environment. Dietary fiber is generally believed to protect against colorectal cancer. Burkitt first proposed the fiber hypothesis based on his observation of low colon cancer rates in regions of Africa where fiber intake is high. Some case control studies of colorectal cancer have pointed the beneficial effect of total dietary fiber. Dietary fiber consists of plant cell wall polysaccharides and liginin, which are not hydrolyzable by human digestive enzymes, and includes pectin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. Several plausible physical and biochemical mechanisms for the beneficial effect of dietary fiber have been proposed. The risk of colorectal cancer decreases with high intake of total fiber and increased with diets high in animal fat.

Crystal structure of Serratia protease, a zinc-dependent proteinase from Serratia sp. E-15, containing a beta-sheet coil motif at 2.0 A resolution.

The crystal structure of Serratia protease from Serratia sp. E-15 was solved by the single isomorphous replacement method supplemented with anomalous scattering effects from both the Zn atom in the native crystal and the Sm atom in the derivative crystal, and refined at 2.0 A resolution to a crystallographic R-factor of 0.194. The enzyme consists of N-terminal catalytic and C-terminal beta-sandwich domains, as observed in alkaline protease from Pseudomonas aeruginosa IFO3080. The catalytic domain with a five-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet and five alpha-helices shares a basically common folding topology with those of other zinc metalloendoproteases. The catalytic zinc ion at the bottom of the active site cleft is ligated by His176, His180, His186, Tyr216, and a water molecule in a distorted trigonalbipyramidal manner. The C-terminal domain is a beta-strand-rich domain containing eighteen beta-strands and a short alpha-helix, and has seven Ca2+ ions bound to calcium binding loops. An unusual beta-sheet coil motif is observed in this domain, where the beta-strands and calcium binding loops are alternately incorporated into an elliptical right-handed spiral so as to form a two-layer untwisted beta-sandwich structure. The Ca2+ ions in the C-terminal domain seem to be very important for the folding and stability of the beta-sheet coil structure.

Small-angle x-ray scattering study of metal ion-induced conformational changes in Serratia protease.

Metal ion-induced conformational changes in Serratia protease which contains one zinc ion per molecule were investigated by the small-angle x-ray scattering method. The molecule is an elongated ellipsoid of approximately 110 x 40 x 40 A with a large cleft in its central region. Comparisons of the native (zinc-enzyme) with the zinc-free (apoenzyme) enzyme and with the zinc-replated metalloenzyme show small but significant differences in their radii of gyration, maximum particle dimensions, and intraparticle pair-distance distributions. The radius of gyration and maximum particle dimension of the native enzyme are almost the same as those of the cobalt-enzyme but are shorter and longer, respectively, than those of the apo- and cadmium-enzymes. Simulation analysis based on the intraparticle pair-distribution function showed that these modified enzymes are comparable with the native enzyme in overall structure, and, except for the cobalt-enzyme, differ in cleft size. The residual enzymatic activity of the cobalt-enzyme is the same as that of the native enzyme, but the apo- and cadmium-enzymes have considerably less activity. The size of the cleft therefore is strictly controlled to ensure optimal enzyme activity, and the position and coordination behavior of the zinc ion in the cleft appears to be essential both for biological functioning and for the maintenance of the gross tertiary structure.

Preliminary X-ray studies on Serratia protease.

Preliminary X-ray studies on Serratia protease have been carried out using crystallographic and small angle scattering techniques. The enzyme has been crystallized in three different crystalline forms by microdialysis and vapor diffusion methods using 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.0, at 24 degrees C. They have orthorhombic space groups: C222(1) for one form and P2(1)2(1)2(1) for the other two forms. A small angle X-ray scattering study showed that the radius of gyration and the maximal dimension of the molecule in aqueous solution are 26.6 A and 94.5 A, respectively. The molecular weight of the enzyme was determined to be 45,000-48,000 by various physical methods.