Acanthoscurrin fragment 101-132: total synthesis at 60 degrees C of a novel difficult sequence

Biopolymers. 2009;92(1):65-75. doi: 10.1002/bip.21110.

Abstract

Glycine-rich proteins (GRPs) serve a variety of biological functions. Acanthoscurrin is an antimicrobial GRP isolated from hemocytes of the Brazilian spider Acanthoscurria gomesiana. Aiming to contribute to the knowledge of the secondary structure and stepwise solid-phase synthesis of GRPs' glycine-rich domains, we attempted to prepare G(101)GGLGGGRGGGYG(113)GGGGYGGGYG(123) GGY(126)GGGKYK(132)-NH(2), acanthoscurrin C-terminal amidated fragment. Although a theoretical prediction did not indicate high aggregation potential for this peptide, repetitive incomplete aminoacylations were observed after incorporating Tyr(126) to the growing peptide-MBHA resin (Boc chemistry) at 60 degrees C. The problem was not solved by varying the coupling reagents or solvents, adding chaotropic salts to the reaction media or changing the resin/chemistry (Rink amide resin/Fmoc chemistry). Some improvement was made when CLEAR amide resin (Fmoc chemistry) was used, as it allowed for obtaining fragment G(113)-K(132). NIR-FT-Raman spectra collected for samples of the growing peptide-MBHA, -Rink amide resin and -CLEAR amide resin revealed the presence of beta-sheet structures. Only the combination of CLEAR-amide resin, 60 degrees C, Fmoc-(Fmoc-Hmb)Gly-OH and LiCl (the last two used alternately) was able to inhibit the phenomenon, as proven by NIR-FT-Raman analysis of the growing peptide-resin, allowing the total synthesis of desired fragment Gly(101)-K(132). In summary, this work describes a new difficult sequence, contributes to understanding stepwise solid-phase synthesis of this type of peptide and shows that, at least while protected and linked to a resin, this GRP's glycine-rich motif presents an early tendency to assume beta-sheet structures.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Insect Proteins / chemical synthesis*
  • Insect Proteins / chemistry
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptide Fragments / chemical synthesis*
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman
  • Spiders
  • Temperature*

Substances

  • 4-methylbenzhydrylamine resin
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Insect Proteins
  • Peptide Fragments