VCD spectroscopic properties of the beta-hairpin forming miniprotein CLN025 in various solvents

Biopolymers. 2010 May;93(5):442-50. doi: 10.1002/bip.21356.

Abstract

Electronic and vibrational circular dichroism are often used to determine the secondary structure of proteins, because each secondary structure has a unique spectrum. Little is known about the vibrational circular dichroic spectroscopic features of the beta-hairpin. In this study, the VCD spectral features of a decapeptide, YYDPETGTWY (CLN025), which forms a stable beta-hairpin that is stabilized by intramolecular weakly polar interactions and hydrogen bonds were determined. Molecular dynamics simulations and ECD spectropolarimetry were used to confirm that CLN025 adopts a beta-hairpin in water, TFE, MeOH, and DMSO and to examine differences in the secondary structure, hydrogen bonds, and weakly polar interactions. CLN025 was synthesized by microwave-assisted solid phase peptide synthesis with N(alpha)-Fmoc protected amino acids. The VCD spectra displayed a (-,+,-) pattern with bands at 1640 to 1656 cm(-1), 1667 to 1687 cm(-1), and 1679 to 1686 cm(-1) formed by the overlap of a lower frequency negative couplet and a higher frequency positive couplet. A maximum IR absorbance was observed at 1647 to 1663 cm(-1) with component bands at 1630 cm(-1), 1646 cm(-1), 1658 cm(-1), and 1675 to 1680 cm(-1) that are indicative of the beta-sheet, random meander, either random meander or loop and turn, respectively. These results are similar to the results of others, who examined the VCD spectra of beta-hairpins formed by (D)Pro-Xxx turns and indicated that observed pattern is typical of beta-hairpins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide / chemistry*
  • Methanol / chemistry*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Oligopeptides
  • Solvents
  • YYDPETGTWY
  • Water
  • Methanol
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide