Self-assembling cyclic tetrapeptide from alternating C-linked carbo-beta-amino acid [(S)-beta-Caa] and alpha-aminoxy acid [(R)-Ama]: a selective chloride ion receptor.

A cyclic tetrapeptide is prepared from alternating (S)-beta-Caa (C-linked carbo-beta-amino acid) and (R)-Ama (alpha-aminoxy acid). Extensive NMR (in CDCl(3) solution) and mass spectral (MS) studies show its halide binding capacity, with a special affinity to the chloride ion. At higher concentration it was found to form molecular aggregates as evidenced from transmission electron microscopic and atomic force microscopic analysis, confirming the formation of nanorods.

Design of a "new motif" with beta-amino acids and alpha-aminoxy acids: synthesis of hybrid peptides with 12/10-helix.

Hybrid peptides are prepared from a C-linked carbo-beta-amino acid ester (R-beta-Caa) and an alpha-aminoxy acid (R-Ama) derived from S-lactic acid. Extensive NMR (in CDCl 3 solution), CD, and MD studies on the tetra- and hexapeptides led to identification of robust 12/10-mixed helices. The dipeptide repeat having an R-beta-Caa and an R-Ama thus provides a "new motif" to realize a 12/10-mixed helix, for the first time, in oligomers containing R-Ama. To understand the impact of side chains in the mixed helix formation, R-beta-Caa/Ama (with no substitution in Ama) and S-beta-hAla/R-Ama oligomers were investigated. NMR studies revealed the existence of 12/10-helices in these hybrid peptides, and the side chains of monomers were found to have a profound influence on their stabilities. These observations imply that the propensity of beta-amino acid to prefer a mixed 12/10-helix governs the structural behavior in these peptides. The structural consequences of the lone-pair repulsion between nitrogen and oxygen atoms result in a new and interesting structural motif which behaves like "pseudo" beta (3),beta(2)-peptides in generating 12/10-mixed helices.