Synthesis and structure of alpha/delta-hybrid peptides--access to novel helix patterns in foldamers

Chemistry. 2009;15(22):5552-66. doi: 10.1002/chem.200802078.

Abstract

Stimulated by an overview on all periodic folding patterns of alpha/delta-hybrid peptides with 1:1 alternating backbone provided by ab initio molecular orbital theory, the first representatives of this foldamer class were synthesized connecting novel C-linked carbo-delta-amino acid constituents and L-Ala. In agreement with theoretical predictions, extensive NMR spectroscopic analyses confirm the formation of new motifs of 13/11-mixed helical patterns in these peptides supported by the rigidity of the D-xylose side chain in the selected delta-amino acid constituents. Relationships between possible helix types in alpha/delta-hybrid peptides and their counterparts in other 1:1 hybrid peptide classes and native alpha-peptides are discussed; these indicate the high potential of these foldamers to mimic native peptide secondary structures. The design of alpha/delta-hybrid peptides provides an opportunity to expand the domain of foldamers and allows the introduction of desired functionalities through the alpha-amino acid constituents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Models, Chemical
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Peptides