RESUMO
In this work we investigate the second-order response of complexes of formula Ni(Me(6)pzS(2))MX (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; X = Me(2)timdt (monoanion of N,N'-disubstituted imidazolidine-2,4,5-trithione), mnt (maleonitriledithiolate)): by binding the porphyrazine to the metal-dithiolene, the electron asymmetry and pi-conjugation of the latter is increased, and its second-order response can result enhanced. By performing ab initio calculations of the ground-state and response properties of these compounds, we predict the molecular first hyperpolarizability, we elucidate its electronic origin, and we illustrate its dependence on the metal and the dithiolene ligand. Our study indicates that these complexes show a very high second-order response, comparable to that of organic "push-pull" materials, and that the appropriate metal-dithiolene combination can significantly enhance it.
RESUMO
The active sites of the receptors for sweet and bitter tastants are shown to be related by a simple symmetry operation. This relationship, in turn, allows the identification of the critical geometrical features of both receptor sites. The model proposed for the sweet site is shown to be consistent with a large number of (conformationally rigid) sweet molecules.
Assuntos
Papilas Gustativas/análise , Modelos Moleculares , Conformação Proteica , Relação Estrutura-AtividadeRESUMO
The shape of the active site of the receptor for sweet molecules was previously defined on the basis of a combination of both rigid (saccharins) and flexible (aspartame) molds. In this paper, the sweetness receptor is refined with use of the shapes of 3-anilino-2-styryl-3H-naphtho[1,2-d]imidazolesulfonate (sweet) and of 3-anilino-2-phenyl-3H-naphtho[1,2-d]imidazolesulfonate (tasteless), two large and almost completely rigid tastants. The minimum-energy conformations of the flexible portions of these tastants have been determined by using a detailed conformational analysis based on ab initio calculations. The refined receptor site is still consistent with all previously examined sweet molecules. In order to unequivocally assign the prochiral beta-CH2 protons of the Phe moiety of aspartame, (2S,3S)-[2H]-alpha-L-Asp-L-PheOMe was synthesized and examined by 500-MHz 1H NMR spectroscopy. The results indicate that the minimum-energy conformation for aspartame in water, DMSO-d6, and CDCl3 (as a crown ether complex) is different from that originally proposed (FIIDII instead of FIDII, according to a notation referred to the side chains). Although this conformation is not directly consistent with the shape of the sweet receptor, the interconversion of FIIDII to FIDII was found to require only 1 kcal/mol. Furthermore, a 120-ps molecular dynamics simulation in vacuo confirms the high flexibility of aspartame and the accessibility of the FIDII conformer whose topology is fully consistent with our model.
Assuntos
Aspartame , Dipeptídeos , Imidazóis , Naftalenos , Ácidos Sulfônicos , Edulcorantes , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Conformação Molecular , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Paladar/fisiologia , TermodinâmicaRESUMO
The conformation of tolylureas has been studied by means of X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and semiempirical quantum-mechanical calculations. The flat shape of meta and para isomers allows a good interaction with the model sites for bitter and sweet taste, respectively, whereas the ortho isomer cannot fit the sites because of the relative arrangements of the aryl and amide planes and because of poor hydrophobic interactions. The consistency of the conformational results with the sweet taste model site, previously proposed by the authors, is emphasized by the good fit of dulcine, a sweeter para-substituted arylurea.
Assuntos
Mecanorreceptores/fisiologia , Edulcorantes , Paladar , Ureia/análogos & derivados , Humanos , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Mecanorreceptores/efeitos dos fármacos , Modelos Moleculares , Conformação Molecular , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Edulcorantes/farmacologia , Ureia/farmacologiaRESUMO
The structure-activity relationship of several mu selective opioid peptides has been evaluated on the basis of both experimental and theoretical approaches. The conformations of Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-NH2, the tetrapeptide N-fragment of dermorphin, and two analogues have been studied in solution by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The physicochemical environment inside the receptor has been simulated by complexing the peptides with a crown ether and dissolving the complexes in chloroform. The family of conformations derived from the NMR data possesses most of the features previously proposed for mu agonists and is fully consistent with an original model of the mu receptor based on the structures of many rigid opiates. As a simple test of this model, the synthesis of a linear peptide with significant mu activity in spite of the absence of Tyr1 is reported.
Assuntos
Endorfinas/farmacologia , Receptores Opioides/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Cobaias , Técnicas In Vitro , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Modelos Moleculares , Contração Muscular/efeitos dos fármacos , Conformação Proteica , Receptores Opioides mu , Relação Estrutura-AtividadeRESUMO
The molecular and crystal structures of six fully blocked, Ac3c-rich peptides to the tetramer level were determined by X-ray diffraction. The peptides are Fmoc-(Ac3c)2-OMe-CH3OH, Ac-(Ac3c)2-OMe, t-Boc-Ac3c-L-Phe-OMe, pBrBz-(Ac3c)3-OMe.H2O, Z-Gly-Ac3c-Gly-OTmb.(CH3)2CO, and t-Boc-(Ac3c)4-OMe.2H2O. Type-I (I') beta-bends and distorted 3(10)-helices were found to be typical of the tri- and tetrapeptides, respectively. In the dipeptides, too short to form beta-bend conformations, other less common structural features may be observed. The average geometry of the cyclopropyl moiety of the Ac3c residue is asymmetric and the N-C alpha-C' bond angle is significantly expanded from the regular tetrahedral value. A comparison with the structural preferences of other extensively investigated C alpha, alpha-dialylated alpha-amino acids is made and the implications for the use of the Ac3c residue in conformational design are examined.
Assuntos
Aminoácidos Cíclicos , Aminoácidos/química , Glicina/química , Oligopeptídeos/química , Alquilação , Cristalização , Estrutura Molecular , Conformação Proteica , Difração de Raios XRESUMO
The analysis of the structure-activity relationship previously performed on the sweet L,L isomer of Asp-Phe-OMe was extended to the bitter L,D diastereoisomer. A combination of NMR measurements and of an original method of PEM calculations gives a description of the conformational state of the L,D isomer that can be effectively used to study the interaction with a previously proposed model of the bitter taste receptor site.
Assuntos
Aspartame/farmacologia , Dipeptídeos/farmacologia , Células Receptoras Sensoriais/efeitos dos fármacos , Paladar/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Conformação MolecularRESUMO
The conformational behavior of the synthetic peptide, Boc-Gly-Val-Gly-Gly-Leu-OMe, containing the X-Gly-Gly and Gly-Gly-X (X = Val or Leu) repeating sequences and constituting a fragment of elastin was investigated by molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The results suggest that, irrespective of the approximations used, the molecule shows a manifold of low energy conformations characterized by gamma-turns and type II beta-turns. Furthermore, MD simulations point out a conformational floppiness due to very low barriers between different conformations. Experimental CD measurements in a virtually apolar medium (dioxane--epsilon = 2.209), which better mimics the vacuum conditions of the simulation, support the theoretical results. The general emerging picture, indicating the molecule as characterized by a combination of flexibility with conformational preferences, is in agreement with previous experimental findings and enriches of new aspects the description of the microscopic behavior of this molecule suggesting more detailed interpretation of previous data.
Assuntos
Elastina/química , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Dicroísmo Circular , Dioxanos , Ligação de Hidrogênio , Modelos Moleculares , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Conformação ProteicaRESUMO
The preferred conformations and self-association modes of the two diastereomeric N-acetyl, methylamides of 3-hydroxy, 4-amino, 5-methylhexanoic acid ("Val"-statine) with (S,S) and (R,S) configurations at the 3-hydroxy and 4-amino carbon atoms, respectively, were determined in solution as well as in the crystal state by infrared absorption, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and x-ray diffraction. A corollary conformational energy computation study was also carried out. In the crystal state intramolecular H-bonds are absent in both structures. However, the change in chirality of the carbon atom carrying the hydroxy group and the presence of a co-crystallized water molecule in the (S,S) isomer induce partially different backbone and "Val" side chain conformations and divergent intermolecular H-bonding schemes in the two isomers. A marked propensity to self-aggregate is seen in solvents of low polarity. The two isomers, however, are largely solvated in solvents of high polarity. Conformational energy computations indicate that in vacuo both diastereomers exhibit a significant flexibility and the conformers presenting absolute minima are not stabilized by any intramolecular bonding.
Assuntos
Aminoácidos/química , Valina/química , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Ligação de Hidrogênio , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Conformação Proteica , Soluções , Estereoisomerismo , Difração de Raios XRESUMO
Conformational energy computations on Ac-L-(alpha Me)Val-NHMe indicate that turns and right-handed helical structures are particularly stable conformations for this chiral C alpha-methyl, C alpha-alkylglycyl residue. We have synthesized and characterized a variety of L-(alpha Me)Val derivatives and peptides (to the pentamer level). The results of the solution conformational analysis, performed using infrared absorption, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, and circular dichroism, are in general agreement with those obtained from the theoretical investigation, in the sense that the L-(alpha Me)Val residue turns out to be a strong beta-turn and right-handed helix former. A comparison is also made with the conclusions extracted from published work on peptides rich in other C alpha-methyl, C alpha-alkylglycyl residues.
Assuntos
Glicina/análogos & derivados , Peptídeos/química , Conformação Proteica , Estereoisomerismo , Dicroísmo Circular , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Espectrofotometria InfravermelhoRESUMO
The conformational preferences and self-association modes of the two diastereomeric N-acetyl, methylamides of 3-hydroxy, 4-amino, 6-methylheptanoic acid (statine) with (R, S) and (S, S) configurations at the 3-hydroxy and 4-amino carbons, respectively, have been determined in solution as well as in the solid state by infrared absorption, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray diffraction. Conformational energy computations have also been performed in parallel. In the crystal state, the change in chirality of the hydroxyl group induces different intermolecular H-bonding schemes in the (R, S) isomer compared to the two structurally distinct molecules in the asymmetric unit of the (S, S) isomer. Different propensities to self-aggregate are seen in solvents of low polarity. In solvents of high polarity, however, the molecules of both isomers are largely solvated, while still keeping some local conformational restriction. Conformational energy computations indicate that in vacuo the two diastereomers exhibit different flexibility, and a preferred conformation with a different type of intramolecular H-bond.
Assuntos
Aminoácidos , Cristalização , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Conformação Molecular , Espectrofotometria Infravermelho , Estereoisomerismo , Difração de Raios XRESUMO
The conformational preference of C(alpha,alpha-diphenylglycine (D-phi-g) and C(alpha,alpha)-dibenzylglycine (Dbz) residues was assessed in selected derivatives and small peptides by conformational energy computations, ir absorption, 1H-nmr, and x-ray diffraction. Conformational energy computations on the two monopeptides strongly support the view that these C(alpha,alpha)-symmetrically disubstituted glycines are conformationally restricted and that their minimum energy conformation falls in the fully extended (C5) region. The results of the theoretical analyses appear to be in agreement with the solution and crystal-state structural propensities of three derivatives and seven di- and tripeptides.
Assuntos
Glicina/análogos & derivados , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Glicina/química , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Estrutura Molecular , Conformação Proteica , Espectrofotometria Ultravioleta , Difração de Raios XRESUMO
The synthesis and spectroscopic characterisation of the products obtained by treatment of N,N'-dimethylimidazolidine-2-thione (1), N,N'-dimethylimidazolidine-2-selone (2), N,N'-dimethylbenzoimidazole-2-thione (3) and N,N'-dimethylbenzoimidazole-2-selone (4) with Br2 in MeCN are reported, together with the crystal structures of the 10-E-3, T-shaped adducts 2 . Br2 (12), 3 . Br2 (13) and 4 . Br2 (14). A conductometric and spectrophotometric investigation into the reaction between 1-4 and Br2, carried out in MeCN, allows the equilibria involved in the formation of the isolated 10-E-3 (E = S, Se) hypervalent compounds to be hypothesised. In order to understand the reasons why S and Se donors can give different product types on treatment with Br2 and I2, DFT calculations have been carried out on 1-8, 19 and 20, and on their corresponding hypothetical [LEX]+ cations (L = organic framework; E = S, Se; X = Br, I), which are considered to be key intermediates in the formation of the different products. The results obtained in terms of NBO charge distribution on [LEX]+ species explain the different behaviour of 1-8, 19 and 20 in their reactions with Br2 and I2 fairly well. X-ray diffraction studies show 12-14 to have a T-shaped (10-E-3; E = S, Se) hypervalent chalcogen nature. They contain an almost linear Br-E-Br (E = S, Se) system roughly perpendicular to the average plane of the organic molecules. In 12, the Se atom of each adduct molecule has a short interaction with the Br(1) atom of an adjacent unit, such that the Se atom displays a roughly square planar coordination. The Se-Br distances are asymmetric [2.529(1) vs. 2.608(1) A], the shorter distance being that with the Br(1) atom involved in the short intermolecular contact. In contrast, in the molecular adducts 13 and 14, which lie on a two-fold crystallographic axis, the Br-E-Br system is symmetric and no short intermolecular interactions involving chalcogen and bromine atoms are observed. The adducts are arranged in parallel planes; this gives rise to a graphite-like stacking. The new crystalline modification of 10, obtained from acetonitrile solution, confirms the importance of short intermolecular contacts in determining the asymmetry of Br-E-Br (E = S, Se) and I-Se-I groups in hypervalent 10-E-3 compounds. The analogies in the conductometric and spectrophotometric titrations of 1 and 2-4 with Br2, together with the similarity of the vibrational spectra of 11-14, also imply a T-shaped nature for 11. The vibrational properties of the Br-E-Br (E = S, Se) systems resemble those of the Br3- and IBr2- anions: the Raman spectrum of a symmetric Br-E-Br group shows only one peak near 160 cm(-1), as found for symmetric Br3- and IBr2- anions, while asymmetric Br-E-Br groups also show an antisymmetric Br-E-Br mode at around 190 cm(-1), as observed for asymmetric Br3- and IBr2- ions. Therefore, simple IR and Raman measurements provide a useful tool for distinguishing between symmetric and asymmetric Br-E-Br groups, and hence allow predictions about the crystal packing of these hypervalent chalcogen compounds to be made when crystals of good quality are not available.