Synthesis of Tetrapeptides Containing Dehydroalanine, Dehydrophenylalanine and Oxazole as Building Blocks for Construction of Foldamers and Bioinspired Catalysts.

The incorporation of dehydroamino acid or fragments of oxazole into peptide chain is accompanied by a distorted three-dimensional structure and additionally enables the introduction of non-typical side-chain substituents. Thus, such compounds could be building blocks for obtaining novel foldamers and/or artificial enzymes (artzymes). In this paper, effective synthetic procedures leading to such building blocks-tetrapeptides containing glycyldehydroalanine, glycyldehydrophenylalanine, and glycyloxazole subunits-are described. Peptides containing serine were used as substrates for their conversion into peptides containing dehydroalanine and aminomethyloxazole-4-carboxylic acid while considering possible requirements for the introduction of these fragments into long-chain peptides at the last steps of synthesis.

Synthesis of Hybrid Tripeptide Peptidomimetics Containing Dehydroamino Acid and Aminophosphonic Acid in the Chain and Evaluation of Their Activity toward Cathepsin C.

Synthesis of a new group of hybrid phosphonodehydropeptides composed of glycyl-(Z)-dehydrophenylalanine and structurally variable aminophosphonates alongside with investigations of their activity towards cathepsin C are presented. Obtained results suggest that the introduction of (Z)-dehydrophenylalanine residue into the short phosphonopeptide chain does induce the ordered conformation. Investigated peptides appeared to act as weak or moderate inhibitors of cathepsin C.

Addition of thiols to the double bond of dipeptide C-terminal dehydroalanine as a source of new inhibitors of cathepsin C.

Addition of thiols to double bond of glycyl-dehydroalanine and phenyl-dehydroalanine esters provided micromolar inhibitors of cathepsin C. The structure-activity studies indicated that dipeptides containing N-terminal phenylalanine exhibit higher affinity towards the enzyme. A series of C-terminal S-substituted cysteines are responsible for varying interaction with S1 binding pocket of cathepsin C. Depending on diastereomer these compounds most likely act as slowly reacting substrates or competitive inhibitors. This was proved by TLC analysis of the medium in which interaction of methyl (S)-phenylalanyl-(R,S)-(S-adamantyl)cysteinate (7i) with the enzyme was studied. Molecular modeling enabled to establish their mode of binding showed that S2 pocket is long and narrow and accommodates phenyl group of phenylalanine while significantly spacious sites located at the surface of the enzyme (one of them being S1 pocket) bind the adamantyl moiety oriented in different direction for each stereoisomer. Finally replacement of carboxymethyl moiety of methyl (S)-phenylalanyl-(R,S)-(S-phenyl)cysteinate (7c) with nitrile group provided about 650-times more potent inhibitor of cathepsin C indicating that the studied C-terminal S-substituted cysteines are good activity probes for S1 binding pocket of this enzyme.

Synthesis of dehydrodipeptide esters and their evaluation as inhibitors of cathepsin C.

The procedures for the synthesis of esters of dehydropeptides containing C-terminal (Z)-dehydrophenylalanine and dehydroalanine have been elaborated. These esters appeared to be moderate or weak inhibitors of cathepsin C, with some of them exhibiting slow-binding behavior. As shown by molecular modeling, they are rather bound at the surface of the enzyme and are not submersed in its binding cavities.

Conformation of dehydropentapeptides containing four achiral amino acid residues - controlling the role of L-valine.

Structural studies of pentapeptides containing an achiral block, built from two dehydroamino acid residues (Δ(Z)Phe and ΔAla) and two glycines, as well as one chiral L-Val residue were performed using NMR spectroscopy. The key role of the L-Val residue in the generation of the secondary structure of peptides is discussed. The obtained results suggest that the strongest influence on the conformation of peptides arises from a valine residue inserted at the C-terminal position. The most ordered conformation was found for peptide Boc-Gly-ΔAla-Gly-Δ(Z)Phe-Val-OMe (3), which adopts a right-handed helical conformation.

Toward engineering efficient peptidomimetics. Screening conformational landscape of two modified dehydroaminoacids.

Effective peptidomimetics should posses structural rigidity and appropriate interaction pattern leading to potential spatial and electronic matching to the target receptor site. Rational design of such small bioactive molecules could push chemical synthesis and molecular modeling toward faster progress in medicinal chemistry. Conformational properties of N-t-butoxycarbonyl-glycine-(E/Z)-dehydrophenylalanine N',N'-dimethylamides (Boc-Gly-(E/Z)-ΔPhe-NMe2 ) in chloroform were studied by NMR and IR spectroscopy. The experimental findings were supported by extensive calculations at DFT(B3LYP, M06-2X) and MP2 levels of theory and the ß-turn tendency for both isomers of the studied dipeptide were determined in vacuum and in solution. The theoretical data and experimental IR results were used as an additional information for the NMR-based determination of the detailed solution conformations of the peptides. The obtained results reveal that N-methylation of C-terminal amide group changes dramatically the conformational properties of studied dehydropeptides. Theoretical conformational analysis reveals that the tendency to adopt ß-turn conformations is much weaker for the N-methylated Z isomer (Boc-Gly-(Z)-ΔPhe-NMe2 ), both in vacuum and in polar environment. On the contrary, N-methylated E isomer (Boc-Gly-(E)-ΔPhe-NMe2 ) can easily adopt ß-turn conformation, but the backbone torsion angles (φ1, ψ1, φ2, ψ2) are off the limits for common ß-turn types.

Crystal structure of N-(tert-but-oxy-carbon-yl)glycyl-(Z)-ß-bromo-dehydro-alanine methyl ester [Boc-Gly-(ß-Br)((Z))ΔAla-OMe].

The title compound, C11H17BrN2O5, is a de-hydro-amino acid with a C=C bond between the α- and ß-C atoms. The amino acid residues are linked trans to each other and there are no strong intra-molecular hydrogen bonds. The torsion angles indicate a non-helical conformation of the mol-ecule. The dipeptide folding is influenced by an inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond and also minimizes steric repulsion. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by strong N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating (001) sheets. The sheets are linked by weak C-H⋯O and C-H⋯Br bonds and short Br⋯Br [3.4149 (3) Å] inter-actions.

Crystal structure of N-(tert-but-oxy-carbon-yl)phenyl-alanylde-hydro-alanine isopropyl ester (Boc-Phe-ΔAla-OiPr).

In the title compound, the de-hydro-dipeptide (Boc-Phe-ΔAla-OiPr, C20H28N2O5), the mol-ecule has a trans conformation of the N-methyl-amide group. The geometry of the de-hydro-alanine moiety is to some extent different from those usually found in simple peptides, indicating conjugation between the H2C=C group and the peptide bond. The bond angles around de-hydro-alanine have unusually high values due to the steric hindrance, the same inter-action influencing the slight distortion from planarity of the de-hydro-alanine. The mol-ecule is stabilized by intra-molecular inter-actions between the isopropyl group and the N atoms of the peptide main chain. In the crystal, an N-H⋯O hydrogen bond links the mol-ecules into ribbons, giving a herringbone head-to-head packing arrangement extending along the [100] direction. In the stacks, the mol-ecules are linked by weak C-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding associations.

Enhanced ß-turn conformational stability of tripeptides containing ΔPhe in cis over trans configuration.

Conformations of three pairs of dehydropeptides with the opposite configuration of the ΔPhe residue, Boc-Gly-Δ(Z/E)Phe-Phe-p-NA (Z- p -NA and E- p -NA), Boc-Gly-Δ(Z/E)Phe-Phe-OMe (Z-OMe and E-OMe), and Boc-Gly-Δ(Z/E)Phe-Phe-OH (Z-OH and E-OH) were compared on the basis of CD and NMR studies in MeOH, TFE, and DMSO. The CD results were used as the additional input data for the NMR-based calculations of the detailed solution conformations of the peptides. It was found that Z- p -NA, E- p -NA, Z-OMe, and Z-OH adopt the ß-turn conformations and E-OMe and E-OH are unordered. There are two overlapping type III ß-turns in Z- p -NA, type II' ß-turn in E- p -NA, and type II ß-turn in Z-OMe and Z-OH. The results obtained indicate that in the case of methyl esters and peptides with a free carboxyl group, Δ(Z)Phe is a much stronger inducer of ordered conformations than Δ(E)Phe. It was also found that temperature coefficients of the amide protons are not reliable indicators of intramolecular hydrogen bonds donors in small peptides.

Two phosphonodehydrotripeptides: Boc0-Gly1-Δ(Z)Phe2-α-Abu3PO3Me2 and Boc0-Gly1-Δ(Z)Phe2-α-Nva3PO3Et2.

The present paper reports the crystal structures of two short phosphonotripeptides (one in two crystal forms) containing one ΔPhe (dehydrophenylalanine) residue, namely dimethyl (3-{[tert-butoxycarbonylglycyl-α,ß-(Z)-dehydrophenylalanyl]amino}propyl)phosphonate, Boc(0)-Gly(1)-Δ(Z)Phe(2)-α-Abu(3)PO3Me2, C21H32N3O7P, (I), and diethyl (4-{[tert-butoxycarbonylglycyl-α,ß-(Z)-dehydrophenylalanyl]amino}butyl)phosphonate, Boc(0)-Gly(1)-Δ(Z)Phe(2)-α-Nva(3)PO3Et2, as the propan-2-ol monosolvate 0.122-hydrate, C24H38N3O7P·C3H8O·0.122H2O, (II), and the ethanol monosolvate 0.076-hydrate, C24H38N3O7P·C2H6O·0.076H2O, (III). The crystals of (II) and (III) are isomorphous but differ in the type of solvent. The phosphono group is linked directly to the last Cα atom in the main chain for all three peptides. All the amino acids are trans linked in the main chains. The crystal structures exhibit no intramolecular hydrogen bonds and are stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds only.

Purification and partial characterization of aminopeptidase from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds.

Aminopeptidases (EC 3.4.11) are proteolytic enzymes, which hydrolyze one amino acid from N-terminus of peptidic substrates. Inhibitors of plant aminopeptidases can find an application in agriculture as herbicides. Isolation and partial characterization of aminopeptidase from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds has been described. The enzyme was purified to molecular homogeneity using a six-step purification procedure (precipitation with (NH4)2SO4, followed by chromatography on Sephadex G-25, DEAE-Sepharose, Sephacryl HR 300, Macro-Prep Q and Phenyl-Sepharose HP columns). The enzyme was purified 365-fold with recovery above 18%. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was determined by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration as 58 kDa, and was found to be a monomer. Its pH and temperature optima were 7.5 and 52 °C, respectively. The enzyme behaves as standard leucine aminopeptidase by preferring bulky amino acids at the N-terminus, with phenylalanine being of choice.

Comparative studies on IR, Raman, and surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy of dipeptides containing ΔAla and ΔPhe.

Three dipeptides containing dehydroresidues (ΔAla, Δ((Z))Phe, and Δ((E))Phe) were examined by IR, Raman, and surface-enhanced Raman techniques for the first time. The effect of the size and isomer type of the ß-substituent in the dehydroresidue on the conformational structure of the peptide was evaluated by using the analysis of IR and Raman bands. Additionally, SERS spectroscopy provided insight into the adsorption mechanism of these species on the metal surface. SERS spectra were recorded at alkaline pH on the silver sol using visible light excitation. The dehydroresidues studied here strongly influenced the SERS profile of the peptides. The most pronounced SERS signal for all dipeptides was assigned to the symmetric stretching vibration of the carboxylate ions. This indicates that the dehydropeptides studied here primarily adsorb via the deprotonated carboxylic group. Additionally, the enhanced SERS bands in the range 1550-1650 cm(-1) show differences in contribution of the dehydroresidue to the adsorption mechanism of the studied peptides.

Effect of the ΔPhe residue configuration on a didehydropeptides conformation: A combined CD and NMR study.

Conformations of two pairs of dehydropeptides with the opposite configuration of the ΔPhe residue, Boc-Gly-Δ(Z)Phe-Gly-Phe-OMe (Z-OMe), Boc-Gly-Δ(E)Phe-Gly-Phe-OMe (E-OMe), Boc-Gly-Δ(Z)Phe-Gly-Phe-p-NA (Z-p-NA), and Boc-Gly-Δ(E)Phe-Gly-Phe-p-NA (E-p-NA) were compared on the basis of CD and NMR studies in MeOH, trifluoroethanol (TFE), MeCN, chloroform, and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The CD results were used as the additional input data for the NMR-based determination of the detailed solution conformations of the peptides. It was found that E-OMe is unordered and Z-OMe, Z-p-NA, and E-p-NA adopt the ß-turn conformation. There are two overlapping ß-turns in each of those peptides: type II and type III' in Z-OMe and Z-p-NA, and two type III in E-p-NA. The ordered structure-inducing properties of Δ(Z)Phe and Δ(E)Phe in the peptides studied depend on the C-terminal blocking group. In methyl esters, the Δ(Z)Phe residue is a strong inducer of ordered conformations whereas the Δ(E)Phe one has no such properties. In p-nitroanilides, both isomers of ΔPhe cause the peptides to adopt ordered structures to a similar extent.

Two pentadehydropeptides with different configurations of the DeltaPhe residues.

Comparison of the crystal structures of two pentadehydropeptides containing DeltaPhe residues, namely (Z,Z)-N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)glycyl-alpha,beta-phenylalanylglycyl-alpha,beta-phenylalanylglycine (or Boc(0)-Gly(1)-Delta(Z)Phe(2)-Gly(3)-Delta(Z)Phe(4)-Gly(5)-OH) methanol solvate, C(29)H(33)N(5)O(8) x CH(4)O, (I), and (E,E)-N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)glycyl-alpha,beta-phenylalanylglycyl-alpha,beta-phenylalanylglycine (or Boc(0)-Gly(1)-Delta(E)Phe(2)-Gly(3)-Delta(E)Phe(4)-Gly(5)-OH), C(29)H(33)N(5)O(8), (II), indicates that the Delta(Z)Phe residue is a more effective inducer of folded structures than the Delta(E)Phe residue. The values of the torsion angles phi and psi show the presence of two type-III' beta-turns at the Delta(Z)Phe residues and one type-II beta-turn at the Delta(E)Phe residue. All amino acids are linked trans to each other in both peptides. Beta-turns present in the peptides are stabilized by intramolecular 4-->1 hydrogen bonds. Molecules in both structures form two-dimensional hydrogen-bond networks parallel to the (100) plane.

Conformational studies of hexapeptides containing two dehydroamino acid residues in positions 2 and 5 in peptide chain.

Conformational preferences of a group of hexapeptides containing two dehydroamino acid residues in Positions 2 and 5 in peptide chain were investigated by means of spectroscopic methods (NMR and CD) and theoretical calculations. In the case of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution, only peptide with free N-termini adopted rigid 3(10)-helical conformation, for the rest of examined peptides extended and "zig-zag" conformers were predominant. CD measurements showed that only in chloroform solution the conformational freedom of investigated peptides was restricted.

N-[tert-Butoxycarbonylglycyl-(Z)-alpha,beta-dehydrophenylalanylglycyl-(E)-alpha,beta-dehydrophenylalanylphenylalanyl]-4-nitroaniline ethanol solvate.

The alpha,beta-dehydrophenylalanine residues influence the conformation of the title pentapeptide Boc0-Gly1-Delta(Z)Phe2-Gly3-Delta(E)Phe4-L-Phe5-p-NA ethanol solvate, C42H43N7O9.C2H5OH. The first unsaturated phenylalanyl (Delta(Z)Phe2) and the third glycyl (Gly3) residues form a type I beta turn, while the second unsaturated phenylalanyl (Delta(E)Phe4) and the last phenylalanyl (L-Phe5) residues are part of a type II beta turn. All the amino acids in the peptide are linked trans to one another. The crystal structure is stabilized by intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds.

Coordination ability of pentapeptides with two dehydro-amino acid residues inserted into their sequences.

The study on the binding ability of tested ligands have shown that insertion of two dehydro-amino acid residues into peptide sequences makes them more effective in metal ion binding than ligands with one dehydro-amino acid residue. The ligand with two Z(Delta)Phe residue form more stable complexes than his analogues with one Z(Delta)Phe residue. Interesting is this that position of Z(Delta)Phe residue in peptide chain have impact on Cu(II)-complexes formation.

Sulfamide antifolates inhibiting thymidylate synthase: synthesis, enzyme inhibition and cytotoxicity.

Synthesis and biological evaluation are described of seven new analogues (3-9) of two potent thymidylate synthase inhibitors, 10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolate (1) and its 2-methyl-2-deamino congener ICI 198583 (2). While the new compunds 3 and 4 were analogues of 1 and 2, respectively, containing a p-aminobenzenesulfonyl residue in place of the p-aminobenzoic acid residue, the remaining 5 new compounds were analogues of 4 with the L-glutamic acid residue replaced by glycine (5), L-valine (6), L-alanine (7), L-phenylglycine (8) or L-norvaline (9). The new analogues were tested as inhibitors of thymidylate synthases isolated from tumour (Ehrlich carcinoma), parasite (Hymenolepis diminuta) and normal tissue (regenerating rat liver) and found to be weaker inhibitors than the parent 10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolic acid. Selected new analogues, tested as inhibitors of growth of mouse leukemia L 5178Y cells, were less potent than the parent 10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolic acid. Substitution of the glutamyl residue in compound 4 with L-norvaline (9) resulted in only a 5-fold stronger thymidylate synthase inhibitor, but a 40-fold weaker cell growth inhibitor.

Binding abilities of dehydropeptides towards Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions. Impact of Z-E isomerization on metal ion binding.

The study on the binding ability of dehydro-tri- and tetrapeptides has shown that the alpha,beta-double bond has a critical effect on the peptide coordination to metal ions. It may affect the binding of the vicinal amide nitrogens by the electronic effect and stabilize the complex due to steric effects. The (Z) isomer is the most effective in stabilizing of the complexes formed. The presence of large side chain in the dehydroamino acid residue may also be critical for the coordination mode in the metallopeptide systems.