Three hexapeptide analogues, corresponding to sequence 18-23 of bovine prothrombin precursor [-Cys-Leu-Glu-Glu-Pro-Cys-] have been synthesized and evaluated as substrates for vitamin K dependent carboxylase. These new hexapeptides are moderately good substrates for the carboxylase but do not significantly inhibit carboxylation of Phe-Leu-Glu-Glu-Leu, a good substrate for the enzyme. Based on proton and carbon-13 NMR experiments, it is established that the conformation of sequence 18-23, which contains proline at position 22, has a trans amide bond for the Glu-Pro22 sequence in chloroform-d. This amide bond is converted to the cis amide geometry in Me2-SO-d6. It is proposed that good substrates for the carboxylase require a trans amide bond between residues 21 and 22.