Glycine rich segments adopt polyproline II helices: Implications for biomolecular condensate formation.

Many intrinsically disordered proteins contain Gly-rich regions which are generally assumed to be disordered. Such regions often form biomolecular condensates which play essential roles in organizing cellular processes. However, the bases of their formation and stability are still not completely understood. Based on NMR studies of the Gly-rich H. harveyi "snow flea" antifreeze protein, we recently proposed that Gly-rich sequences, such as the third "RGG" region of Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) protein, may adopt polyproline II helices whose association might stabilize condensates. Here, this hypothesis is tested with a polypeptide corresponding to the third RGG region of FUS. NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that significant populations of polyproline II helix are present. These findings are corroborated in a model peptide Ac-RGGYGGRGGWGGRGGY-NH2, where a peak characteristic of polyproline II helix is observed using CD spectroscopy. Its intensity suggests a polyproline II population of 40%. This result is supported by data from FTIR and NMR spectroscopies. In the latter, NOE correlations are observed between the Tyr and Arg, and Arg and Trp side chain hydrogens, confirming that side chains spaced three residues apart are close in space. Taken together, the data are consistent with a polyproline II helix, which is bent to optimize interactions between guanidinium and aromatic moieties, in equilibrium with a statistical coil ensemble. These results lend credence to the hypothesis that Gly-rich segments of disordered proteins may form polyproline II helices which help stabilize biomolecular condensates.

Rotamer strain energy in protein helices - quantification of a major force opposing protein folding.

It is widely believed that the dominant force opposing protein folding is the entropic cost of restricting internal rotations. The energetic changes from restricting side-chain torsional motion are more complex than simply a loss of conformational entropy, however. A second force opposing protein folding arises when a side-chain in the folded state is not in its lowest-energy rotamer, giving rotameric strain. chi strain energy results from a dihedral angle being shifted from the most stable conformation of a rotamer when a protein folds. We calculated the energy of a side-chain as a function of its dihedral angles in a poly(Ala) helix. Using these energy profiles, we quantify conformational entropy, rotameric strain energy and chi strain energy for all 17 amino acid residues with side-chains in alpha-helices. We can calculate these terms for any amino acid in a helix interior in a protein, as a function of its side-chain dihedral angles, and have implemented this algorithm on a web page. The mean change in rotameric strain energy on folding is 0.42 kcal mol-1 per residue and the mean chi strain energy is 0.64 kcal mol-1 per residue. Loss of conformational entropy opposes folding by a mean of 1.1 kcal mol-1 per residue, and the mean total force opposing restricting a side-chain into a helix is 2.2 kcal mol-1. Conformational entropy estimates alone therefore greatly underestimate the forces opposing protein folding. The introduction of strain when a protein folds should not be neglected when attempting to quantify the balance of forces affecting protein stability. Consideration of rotameric strain energy may help the use of rotamer libraries in protein design and rationalise the effects of mutations where side-chain conformations change.

Is the hydrophobic effect stabilizing or destabilizing in proteins? The contribution of disulphide bonds to protein stability.

It has been recently concluded that the hydrophobic effect, hitherto regarded as a major driving force in the folding of proteins, destabilizes the folded state relative to the unfolded state. We summarize the properties of the hydrophobic effect obtained from solvent transfer experiments and show that the recent conclusion is an artifact of crosslinking in the unfolded state, caused by disulphide bonds, metals or cofactors. We show that, for the proteins in the data set, crosslinks surprisingly destabilize folded structures entropically, but stabilize them enthalpically to a greater extent. We also calculate non-polar surface areas of these unfolded proteins. These surface areas are decreased by crosslinks. The unfolded state of proteins lacking constraints, such as myoglobin, is well approximated by a mixture of residues containing alpha-helical and beta-sheet dihedral angles. Surface areas of unfolded proteins cannot be obtained by summing the surface areas of individual residues, since this ignores any unavoidable side-chain-side-chain interactions.

Free energies of amino acid side-chain rotamers in alpha-helices, beta-sheets and alpha-helix N-caps.

Scales have previously been determined for the entropic cost of restricting amino acid side-chain rotations upon protein folding, giving the rule of thumb that the entropic cost of restricting a single side-chain bond is approximately 0.5 kcal mol-1. However, this result does not consider the distinct preferences shown by amino acid side-chains for particular side-chain chi1 angles in the folded protein. For example, Glu in an alpha-helix has chi1 4% gauche- (g-), 39% trans (t) and 58% gauche+ (g+) showing that it is most favourable to restrict Glu chi1 as g+ in a helix while g- is least favoured. The change in side-chain conformational entropy is the same in both cases, but the free energy of each rotamer is different. Here, we determine the energies of every amino acid chi1 rotamer in alpha-helices, beta-sheets and alpha-helix N-caps and each chi1chi2 rotamer pair in helices and sheets. The calculation uses observed rotamer distributions in secondary structure and the coil state, together with experimentally determined free energy changes for secondary structure formation. The results are sets of rotamer energies within a secondary structure that can be directly compared to each other. For example, we conclude that Tyr is the most stable residue in a beta-sheet if only the trans rotamer is accessible; if only the gauche- conformation is available, Thr would be the most stabilising. Previously published scales of amino acid preferences for secondary structure are weighted averages of rotamer energies and therefore imply that Thr is the most stabilising substitution in a beta-sheet in any side-chain conformation. Both side-chain conformational entropies and intrinsic secondary structure preferences are subsumed within our data; the results presented here should therefore be used in preference to both side-chain conformational entropies and intrinsic secondary structure preferences when the rotamer occupied in the folded state is known. The results may be useful in protein engineering, simulations of binding and folding, prediction of protein stability and peptide binding energies, and identification of incorrectly folded structures.

Hydrogen bonding interactions between glutamine and asparagine in alpha-helical peptides.

We have measured the strength of a Gln-Asn side-chain-side-chain interaction spaced i, i+4 in an alpha-helix by placing pairs of interacting residues in the middle, N and C termini of Ala-based peptides. Experimental helicities for peptides containing Gln-Asn spaced i, i+4, as measured by circular dichroism, are considerably higher than those of a peptide with Gln-Asn spaced i, i+5, and that predicted by a modified form of Lifson-Roig helix-coil transition theory that does not include side-chain interactions. A model that includes side-chain-side-chain interactions successfully fits the experimental data and gives a free energy of interaction of between -0.4 and -0.7 kcal mol-1. This favourable interaction is evident in a statistical survey of alpha-helices from a set of non-homologous crystal structures. The Asn-Gln orientation has an interaction energy of less than that of Gln-Asn and close to zero. This difference shows that the free energy of interaction is sensitive to the geometry of the interacting groups. Because i, i+4 interactions can occur only when the side-chain chi1 angle of residue i is trans and that of residue i+4 is gauche+, and because side-chains are free to rotate in peptides, we have corrected interaction free energies from this and other studies to remove the conformational entropy cost of placing them in these conformations so that they are comparable with studies of hydrogen bonding in mutant proteins. The corrected DeltaG is -1 kcal mol-1, which is slightly lower than that reported for hydrogen bonds in folded proteins; however, this value is similar to that for hydrophobic i, i+4 interactions in peptides. We conclude that even in highly mobile, surface-exposed regions, hydrogen bonds can significantly stabilise proteins, provided that their geometric requirements can be achieved.

Side-chain structures in the first turn of the alpha-helix.

The first three residues at the N terminus of the alpha-helix are called N1, N2 and N3. We surveyed 2102 alpha-helix N termini in 298 high-resolution, non-homologous protein crystal structures for N1, N2 and N3 amino acid and side-chain rotamer propensities and hydrogen-bonding patterns. We find strong structural preferences that are unique to these sites. The rotamer distributions as a function of amino acid identity and position in the helix are often explained in terms of hydrogen-bonding interactions to the free N1, N2 and N3 backbone NH groups. Notably, the "good N2" amino acid residues Gln, Glu, Asp, Asn, Ser, Thr and His preferentially form i, i or i,i+1 hydrogen bonds to the backbone, though this is hindered by good N-caps (Asp, Asn, Ser, Thr and Cys) that compete for these hydrogen bond donors. We find a number of specific side-chain to side-chain interactions between N1 and N2 or between the N-cap and N2 or N3, such as Arg(N-cap) to Asp(N2). The strong energetic and structural preferences found for N1, N2 and N3, which differ greatly from positions within helix interiors, suggest that these sites should be treated explicitly in any consideration of helical structure in peptides or proteins.

Periodicity in alpha-helix lengths and C-capping preferences.

We surveyed 299 high resolution, non-homologous protein crystal structures for alpha-helix lengths and capping preferences. We find that helices show a preference to have close to an integral number of turns. Helices can be usefully subdivided into either "favoured length" with 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24, 25, 28, 29 or 31 residues, or "disfavoured length" with 8, 9, 12, 15, 16, 19, 20, 23, 26, 27 or 30 residues. Favoured length helices have their N and C-caps on the same side of the helix so they can lie on the protein surface. There is no significant difference in amino acid preferences at the N terminus between favoured and disfavoured length helices. At the C terminus, favoured length helices prefer non-polar side-chains at C4 and polar amino acid residues at C2, while disfavoured length helices prefer non-polar amino acid residues at C2. There are strong periodic trends in the likelihood of terminating a helix with a Schellman or alphaL C-capping motif. These can be rationalised by the preference for a non-polar side-chain at C3 with these motifs, favouring placing C3 on the buried side of the helix. We suggest that algorithms aiming to predict helices or C-capping in proteins should include a weight for the helix length.

Is polyproline II helix the killer conformation? A Raman optical activity study of the amyloidogenic prefibrillar intermediate of human lysozyme.

The amyloidogenic prefibrillar partially denatured intermediate of human lysozyme, prepared by heating the native protein to 57 degrees C at pH 2.0, was studied using Raman optical activity (ROA). A positive band in the room temperature ROA spectrum of the native protein at approximately 1345 cm(-1), assigned to a hydrated form of alpha-helix, is not present in that of the prefibrillar intermediate, where a new strong positive band at approximately 1318 cm(-1) appears instead that is assigned to the poly(l-proline) II (PPII)-helical conformation. A sharp negative band at approximately 1241 cm(-1) in the native protein, assigned to beta-strand, shows little change in the ROA spectrum of the prefibrillar intermediate. The disappearance of a positive ROA band at approximately 1551 cm(-1) assigned to vibrations of tryptophan side-chains indicates that major conformational changes have occurred among the five tryptophan residues present in human lysozyme, four of which are located in the alpha-domain. The various ROA data suggest that a substantial loss of tertiary structure has occurred in the prefibrillar intermediate and that this is located more in the alpha-domain than in the beta-domain. There is no evidence for any increase in beta-structure. The ROA spectrum of hen lysozyme, which does not form amyloid fibrils so readily, remains much more native-like on heating to 57 degrees C at pH 2.0. The thermal behaviour of the alanine-rich alpha-helical peptide AK21 in aqueous solution was found to be similar to that of human lysozyme. Hydrated alpha-helix therefore appears to readily undergo a conformational change to PPII structure on heating, which may be a key step in the conversion of alpha-helix into beta-sheet in the formation of amyloid fibrils in human lysozyme. Since it is extended, flexible, lacks intrachain hydrogen bonds and is fully hydrated in aqueous solution, PPII helix has the appropriate characteristics to be implicated as a critical conformational element in many conformational diseases. Disorder of the PPII type may be a sine qua non for the formation of regular fibrils; whereas the more dynamic disorder of the random coil may lead only to amorphous aggregates.

Models for the 3(10)-helix/coil, pi-helix/coil, and alpha-helix/3(10)-helix/coil transitions in isolated peptides.

Models for the 3(10)-helix/coil and pi-helix/coil equilibria have been derived. The theory is based on classifying residues into helical or nonhelical (coil) conformations. Statistical weights are assigned to residues in a helical conformation with an associated helical hydrogen bond, a helical conformation with no hydrogen bond, an N-cap position, a C-cap position, or the reference coil conformation. The models for alpha-helix formation and 3(10)-helix formation have also been combined to describe a three-state equilibrium in which alpha-helical, 3(10)-helical, and coil conformations are populated. The results are compared with the modified Lifson-Roig theory for the alpha-helix/coil equilibrium. The comparison accounts for the experimental observations that 3(10)-helices tend to be short and pi-helices are not favored for any length. This work may provide a framework for quantitatively rationalizing experimental work on isolated 3(10)-helices and mixed 3(10)-/alpha-helices.

Effect of the N2 residue on the stability of the alpha-helix for all 20 amino acids.

N2 is the second position in the alpha-helix. All 20 amino acids were placed in the N2 position of a synthetic helical peptide (CH(3)CO-[AXAAAAKAAAAKAAGY]-NH(2)) and the helix content was measured by circular dichroism spectroscopy at 273K. The dependence of peptide helicity on N2 residue identity has been used to determine a free-energy scale by analysis with a modified Lifson-Roig helix-coil theory that includes a parameter for the N2 energy (n2). The rank order of DeltaDeltaG((relative to Ala)) is Glu(-), Asp(-) > Ala > Glu(0), Leu, Val, Gln, Thr, Ile, Ser, Met, Asp(0), His(0), Arg, Cys, Lys, Phe > Asn, > Gly, His(+), Pro, Tyr. The results correlate very well with N2 propensities in proteins, moderately well with N1 and helix interior preferences, and not at all with N-cap preferences. The strongest energetic effects result from interactions with the helix dipole, which favors negative charges at the helix N terminus. Hydrogen bonds to side chains at N2, such as Gln, Ser, and Thr, are weak, despite occurring frequently in protein crystal structures, in contrast to the N-cap position. This is because N-cap hydrogen bonds are close to linear, whereas N2 hydrogen bonds have poor geometry. These results can be used to modify protein stability rationally, help design helices, and improve prediction of helix location and stability.

N- and C-capping preferences for all 20 amino acids in alpha-helical peptides.

We have determined the N- and C-capping preferences of all 20 amino acids by substituting residue X in the peptides NH2-XAKAAAAKAAAAKAAGY-CONH2 and in Ac-YGAAKAAAAKAAAAKAX-CO2H. Helix contents were measured by CD spectroscopy to obtain rank orders of capping preferences. The data were further analyzed by our modified Lifson-Roig helix-coil theory, which includes capping parameters (n and c), to find free energies of capping (-RT ln n and -RT ln c), relative to Ala. Results were obtained for charged and uncharged termini and for different charged states of titratable side chains. N-cap preferences varied from Asn (best) to Gln (worst). We find, as expected, that amino acids that can accept hydrogen bonds from otherwise free backbone NH groups, such as Asn, Asp, Ser, Thr, and Cys generally have the highest N-cap preference. Gly and acetyl group are favored, as are negative charges in side chains and at the N-terminus. Our N-cap preference scale agrees well with preferences in proteins. In contrast, we find little variation when changing the identity of the C-cap residue. We find no preference for Gly at the C-cap in contrast to the situation in proteins. Both N-cap and C-cap results for Tyr and Trp are inaccurate because their aromatic groups affect the CD spectrum. The data presented here are of value in rationalizing mutations at capping sites in proteins and in predicting the helix contents of peptides.

Addition of side-chain interactions to 3(10)-helix/coil and alpha-helix/3(10)-helix/coil theory.

An increasing number of experimental and theoretical studies have demonstrated the importance of the 3(10)-helix/ alpha-helix/coil equilibrium for the structure and folding of peptides and proteins. One way to perturb this equilibrium is to introduce side-chain interactions that stabilize or destabilize one helix. For example, an attractive i, i + 4 interaction, present only in the alpha-helix, will favor the alpha-helix over 3(10), while an i, i + 4 repulsion will favor the 3(10)-helix over alpha. To quantify the 3(10)/alpha/coil equilibrium, it is essential to use a helix/coil theory that considers the stability of every possible conformation of a peptide. We have previously developed models for the 3(10)-helix/coil and 3(10)-helix/alpha-helix/ coil equilibria. Here we extend this work by adding i, i + 3 and i, i + 4 side-chain interaction energies to the models. The theory is based on classifying residues into alpha-helical, 3(10)-helical, or nonhelical (coil) conformations. Statistical weights are assigned to residues in a helical conformation with an associated helical hydrogen bond, a helical conformation with no hydrogen bond, an N-cap position, a C-cap position, or the reference coil conformation plus i, i + 3 and i, i + 4 side-chain interactions. This work may provide a framework for quantitatively rationalizing experimental work on isolated 3(10)-helices and mixed 3(10)-/alpha-helices and for predicting the locations and stabilities of these structures in peptides and proteins. We conclude that strong i, i + 4 side-chain interactions favor alpha-helix formation, while the 3(10)-helix population is maximized when weaker i, i + 4 side-chain interactions are present.

Side-chain conformational entropy in protein folding.

An important, but often neglected, contribution to the thermodynamics of protein folding is the loss of entropy that results from restricting the number of accessible side-chain conformers in the native structure. Conformational entropy changes can be found by comparing the number of accessible rotamers in the unfolded and folded states, or by estimating fusion entropies. Comparison of several sets of results using different techniques shows that the mean conformational free energy change (T delta S) is 1 kcal.mol-1 per side chain or 0.5 kcal.mol-1 per bond. Changes in vibrational entropy appear to be negligible compared to the entropy change resulting from the loss of accessible rotamers. Side-chain entropies can help rationalize alpha-helix propensities, predict protein/inhibitor complex structures, and account for the distribution of side chains on the protein surface or interior.

Effect of the N1 residue on the stability of the alpha-helix for all 20 amino acids.

N1 is the first residue in an alpha-helix. We have measured the contribution of all 20 amino acids to the stability of a small helical peptide CH(3)CO-XAAAAQAAAAQAAGY-NH(2) at the N1 position. By substituting every residue into the N1 position, we were able to investigate the stabilizing role of each amino acid in an isolated context. The helix content of each of the 20 peptides was measured by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The data were analyzed by our modified Lifson-Roig helix-coil theory, which includes the n1 parameter, to find free energies for placing a residue into the N1 position. The rank order for free energies is Asp(-), Ala > Glu(-) > Glu(0) > Trp, Leu, Ser > Asp(0), Thr, Gln, Met, Ile > Val, Pro > Lys(+), Arg, His(0) > Cys, Gly > Phe > Asn, Tyr, His(+). N1 preferences are clearly distinct from preferences for the preceding N-cap and alpha-helix interior. pK(a) values were measured for Asp, Glu, and His, and protonation-free energies were calculated for Asp and Glu. The dissociation of the Asp proton is less favorable than that of Glu, and this reflects its involvement in a stronger stabilizing interaction at the N terminus. Proline is not energetically favored at the alpha-helix N terminus despite having a high propensity for this position in crystal structures. The data presented are of value both in rationalizing mutations at N1 alpha-helix sites in proteins and in predicting the helix contents of peptides.

Determination of alpha-helix N1 energies after addition of N1, N2, and N3 preferences to helix/coil theory.

Surveys of protein crystal structures have revealed that amino acids show unique structural preferences for the N1, N2, and N3 positions in the first turn of the alpha-helix. We have therefore extended helix-coil theory to include statistical weights for these locations. The helix content of a peptide in this model is a function of N-cap, C-cap, N1, N2, N3, C1, and helix interior (N4 to C2) preferences. The partition function for the system is calculated using a matrix incorporating the weights of the fourth residue in a hexamer of amino acids and is implemented using a FORTRAN program. We have applied the model to calculate the N1 preferences of Gln, Val, Ile, Ala, Met, Pro, Leu, Thr, Gly, Ser, and Asn, using our previous data on helix contents of peptides Ac-XAKAAAAKAAGY-CONH2. We find that Ala has the highest preference for the N1 position. Asn is the most unfavorable, destabilizing a helix at N1 by at least 1.4 kcal mol(-1) compared to Ala. The remaining amino acids all have similar preferences, 0.5 kcal mol(-1) less than Ala. Gln, Asn, and Ser, therefore, do not stabilize the helix when at N1.

Addition of side chain interactions to modified Lifson-Roig helix-coil theory: application to energetics of phenylalanine-methionine interactions.

We introduce here i, i + 3 and i, i + 4 side chain interactions into the modified Lifson-Roig helix-coil theory of Doig et al. (1994, Biochemistry 33:3396-3403). The helix/coil equilibrium is a function of initiation, propagation, capping, and side chain interaction parameters. If each of these parameters is known, the helix content of any isolated peptide can be predicted. The model considers every possible conformation of a peptide, is not limited to peptides with only a single helical segment, and has physically meaningful parameters. We apply the theory to measure the i, i + 4 interaction energies between Phe and Met side chains. Peptides with these residues spaced i, i + 4 are significantly more helical than controls where they are spaced i, i + 5. Application of the model yields delta G for the Phe-Met orientation to be -0.75 kcal.mol-1, whereas that for the Met-Phe orientation is -0.54 kcal.mol-1. These orientational preferences can be explained, in part, by rotamer preferences for the interacting side chains. We place Phe-Met i, i + 4 at the N-terminus, the C-terminus, and in the center of the host peptide. The model quantitatively predicts the observed helix contents using a single parameter for the side chain-side chain interaction energy. This result indicates that the model works well even when the interaction is at different locations in the helix.

Structures of N-termini of helices in proteins.

We have surveyed 393 N-termini of alpha-helices and 156 N-termini of 3(10)-helices in 85 high resolution, non-homologous protein crystal structures for N-cap side-chain rotamer preferences, hydrogen bonding patterns, and solvent accessibilities. We find very strong rotamer preferences that are unique to N-cap sites. The following rules are generally observed for N-capping in alpha-helices: Thr and Ser N-cap side chains adopt the gauche - rotamer, hydrogen bond to the N3 NH and have psi restricted to 164 +/- 8 degrees. Asp and Asn N-cap side chains either adopt the gauche - rotamer and hydrogen bond to the N3 NH with psi = 172 +/- 10 degrees, or adopt the trans rotamer and hydrogen bond to both the N2 and N3 NH groups with psi = 1-7 +/- 19 degrees. With all other N-caps, the side chain is found in the gauche + rotamer so that the side chain does not interact unfavorably with the N-terminus by blocking solvation and psi is unrestricted. An i, i + 3 hydrogen bond from N3 NH to the N-cap backbone C = O in more likely to form at the N-terminus when an unfavorable N-cap is present. In the 3(10)-helix Asn and Asp remain favorable N-caps as they can hydrogen bond to the N2 NH while in the trans rotamer; in contrast, Ser and Thr are disfavored as their preferred hydrogen bonding partner (N3 NH) is inaccessible. This suggests that Ser is the optimum choice of N-cap when alpha-helix formation is to be encouraged while 3(10)-helix formation discouraged. The strong energetic and structural preferences found for N-caps, which differ greatly from positions within helix interiors, suggest that N-caps should be treated explicitly in any consideration of helical structure in peptides or proteins.

Structure, stability and folding of the alpha-helix.

Pauling first described the alpha-helix nearly 50 years ago, yet new features of its structure continue to be discovered, using peptide model systems, site-directed mutagenesis, advances in theory, the expansion of the Protein Data Bank and new experimental techniques. Helical peptides in solution form a vast number of structures, including fully helical, fully coiled and partly helical. To interpret peptide results quantitatively it is essential to use a helix/coil model that includes the stabilities of all these conformations. Our models now include terms for helix interiors, capping, side-chain interactions, N-termini and 3(10)-helices. The first three amino acids in a helix (N1, N2 and N3) and the preceding N-cap are unique, as their amide NH groups do not participate in backbone hydrogen bonding. We surveyed their structures in proteins and measured their amino acid preferences. The results are predominantly rationalized by hydrogen bonding to the free NH groups. Stabilizing side-chain-side-chain energies, including hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding and polar/non-polar interactions, were measured accurately in helical peptides. Helices in proteins show a preference for having approximately an integral number of turns so that their N- and C-caps lie on the same side. There are also strong periodic trends in the likelihood of terminating a helix with a Schellman or alpha L C-cap motif. The kinetics of alpha-helix folding have been studied with stopped-flow deep ultraviolet circular dichroism using synchrotron radiation as the light source; this gives a far superior signal-to-noise ratio than a conventional instrument. We find that poly(Glu), poly(Lys) and alanine-based peptides fold in milliseconds, with longer peptides showing a transient overshoot in helix content.

Thermodynamics of amino acid side-chain internal rotations.

The absolute Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy of each of the internal rotations found in protein side chains has been calculated. The calculation requires the moments of inertia of the side chains about each bond, the potential energy barrier and the symmetry number and gives the maximum possible thermodynamic consequences of restricting side chain motion when a protein folds. Hindering side chain internal rotations is unfavourable in terms of Gibbs energy and entropy; it is enthalpically favourable at 0 K. At room temperature, it is estimated that the adverse entropy of hindering buried side chain internal rotation is only 25% of the absolute entropy. The difference between absolute entropies in the folded and unfolded states gives the entropy change for folding. The estimated Gibbs energy change for restricting each residue correlates moderately well with the probability of that residue being found on the folded protein surface, rather than in the protein interior (where motion is restricted).

Hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic principles in Terminalia oblongata.

A study was conducted to identify and characterise the toxic principle in Terminalia oblongata, commonly known as yellow-wood. Crude aqueous extracts of yellow-wood leaf were found to produce the same liver lesion in mice as has been reported in ruminants. The hepatotoxic fraction was isolated and identified as a hydrolysable vegetable tannin called punicalagin. When given orally, the dose required to produce toxicity was at least 20 times greater than when given intraperitoneally. Following a given dose of punicalagin, the onset and severity of liver necrosis was found to be related to the time interval after dosing. In addition to punicalagin, an unidentified nephrotoxic substance was found which was capable of producing avascular renal necrosis without liver necrosis.