Construction of Challenging Proline-Proline Junctions via Diselenide-Selenoester Ligation Chemistry

J Am Chem Soc. 2018 Oct 17;140(41):13327-13334. doi: 10.1021/jacs.8b07877. Epub 2018 Oct 8.

Abstract

Polyproline sequences are highly abundant in prokaryotic and eukaryotic proteins, where they serve as key components of secondary structure. To date, construction of the proline-proline motif has not been possible owing to steric congestion at the ligation junction, together with an n → π* electronic interaction that reduces the reactivity of acylated proline residues at the C-terminus of peptides. Here, we harness the enhanced reactivity of prolyl selenoesters and a trans-γ-selenoproline moiety to access the elusive proline-proline junction for the first time through a diselenide-selenoester ligation-deselenization manifold. The efficient nature of this chemistry is highlighted in the high-yielding one-pot assembly of two proline-rich polypeptide targets, submaxillary gland androgen regulated protein 3B and lumbricin-1. This method provides access to the most challenging of ligation junctions, thus enabling the construction of previously intractable peptide and protein targets of increasing structural complexity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Humans
  • Organoselenium Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Organoselenium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Proline / analogs & derivatives*
  • Proline / chemical synthesis
  • Salivary Proteins and Peptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Organoselenium Compounds
  • Peptides
  • SMR3B protein, human
  • Salivary Proteins and Peptides
  • lumbricin I
  • Proline