Energy of stabilization of the right-handed beta alpha beta crossover in proteins.

An explanation in terms of conformational energies is provided for the observed nearly exclusive preference of the beta alpha beta structure for forming a right-handed, rather than a left-handed, crossover connection. Conformational energy computations have been carried out on a model beta alpha beta structure, consisting of two six-residue Val beta-strands and of a 12-residue Ala alpha-helix, connected by two flexible four-residue Ala links to the strands. The energy of the most favorable right-handed crossover is 15.51 kcal/mol lower than that of the corresponding left-handed cross-over. The right-handed crossover is a strain-free structure. Its energy of stabilization arises largely from the interactions of the two beta-strands with one another and with the alpha-helix. On the other hand, the left-handed crossover is either disrupted after energy minimization or it remains conformationally strained, as indicated by an energetically unfavorable left twisting of the beta-sheet and by the presence of high-energy local residue conformations. In the energetically most favorable right-handed crossover, the right twisting of the beta-sheet and its manner of interacting with the alpha-helix are identical with those computed earlier for isolated beta-sheets and for packed alpha/beta structures. This result supports a proposed principle that it is possible to account for the main features of frequently occurring structural arrangements in globular proteins in terms of the properties of their component structural elements.

Folding of the twisted beta-sheet in bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor.

The dominant role of local interactions has been demonstrated for the formation of the strongly twisted antiparallel beta-sheet structure consisting of residues 18-35 in bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. Conformational energy minimization has indicated that this beta-sheet has a strong twist even in the absence of the rest of the protein molecule. The twist is maintained essentially unchanged when energy minimization is carried out by starting from the native conformation. By starting from a nontwisted beta-sheet conformation of residues 18-35, a strongly twisted structure (higher in energy than the native) is obtained. The high twist of the native-like beta-sheet is a consequence of its amino acid sequence, but it is enhanced strongly by interchain interactions that operate within the beta-sheet. The existence of the twisted beta-sheet structure does not require the presence of a disulfide bond between residue 14 and residue 38. It actually may facilitate the formation of this bond. Therefore, it is likely that the beta-sheet structure forms during an earlier stage of folding than the formation of this disulfide bond. This study provides an example of the manner in which conformational energy calculations can be used to provide information about the probable pathway of the folding of a protein.

Conformations of cyclo(L-alanyl-L-alanyl-epsilon-aminocaproyl) and of cyclo(L-alanyl-D-alanyl-epsilon-aminocaproyl); cyclized dipeptide models for specific types of beta-bends.

Conformational energy calculations indicate that the peptide backbones of the low-energy conformations of the cyclized dipeptide derivatives cyclo (L-alanyl-L-alanyl-epsilon-aminocaproyl) and cyclo (L-alanyl-D-alanyl-epsilon-aminocaproyl) are constrained to form beta-bends of types I + III and II, respectively. Thus, the two compounds can serve as models for the spectroscopic properties of beta-bends of these types. The coupling constants obtained from 1H n.m.r. spectra in DMSO-d6 are consistent with the dihedral angeles of the computed lowest-energy conformations. Differences in 13C chemical shifts between the two compounds can be correlated with differences in shielding by C=O groups in bends of various types. 1H and 13C chemical shifts suggest association of cyclo (L-Ala-L-Ala-Aca) but not of cyclo (L-Ala-D-Ala-Aca) in dimethylsulfoxide. The different tendencies to associate can be explained in terms of the difference in conformation. The circular dichroism spectra of the two compounds are quite different. In methanol, trifluoroethanol and water, the L-Ala-L-Ala derivative has a positive extremum near 190 nm and two negative extrema near 206 and 220 nm, whereas the L-Ala-D-Ala derivative has a positive extremum at about 203 nm and negative extrema at about 187 and 229 nm. The spectra can be used to estimate the contribution of various bend types in a related series of compounds. A normal mode analysis of the vibrations of the computed low-energy conformations was compared with solid state infrared and Raman spectra, in order to determine the predominant conformations. The bend types determined by this comparison fully agree with the predictions of the theoretical computations for both derivatives.

Preferred conformation of the tert-butoxycarbonyl-amino group in peptides.

Structural parameters, derived from X-ray crystallographic data, have been compiled for amino acid and linear peptide derivatives which contain the N-terminal tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) group or its next higher homolog, the tert-amyloxycarbonyl group. The comparison of the geometry of the urethane group in Boc-derivatives with that of the peptide group shows small differences in bond angles about the trigonal carbon, because of altered interactions when a C alpha H group of a peptide unti is replaced by an ester oxygen. In contrast to the strong preference of the peptide bond for the trans form (except when it precedes proline), the urethane amide bond adopts both the cis and trans conformations in crystals. The cis urethane conformation is preferred in crystals of compounds with a tertiary nitrogen (such as Boc-Pro) or in structures stabilized by strong intermolecular interactions. Conformational energy computations on Boc-amino acid N'-methylamides indicate that the trans and cis conformations of the urethane amide bone have nearly equal energies (even for amino acids other than proline), in contrast to the peptide bond, for which the trans conformation has a much lower energy. The computed increase of the cis content in Boc-amino acid derivatives (as compared with the corresponding N-acetyl derivatives) is consistent with the observed distributions of conformations in crystal structures and with n.m.r. studies in solution. Usually, the substitution of a Boc for an N-acetyl end group does not alter the conformational preferences (as indicated by phi, psi values and relative energies) of the amino acid residue which follows the end group when the amide bond is trans. Particular conformations, however, can be stabilized by strong attractive interactions between some side chains (e.g. that of phenylalanine) the the bulky Boc end group.

Cyclized dipeptide model for a beta-bend.

A cyclic dipeptide in which L-Ala-Gly was cyclized with epsilon-aminocaproic acid has been synthesized as a model for a beta-bend. Its conformational properties have been examined by means of conformational energy calculations and nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, Raman, and circular dichroism spectroscopy in various solvents. These calculations and experiments suggest that a type II beta-bend exists in the Ala-Glymoiety, with an NH...O = C hydrogen bond in the epsilon-aminocaproic acid portion of the molecule, and that the molecule adopts a unique conformation in solution. In contrast, an open-chain analog of this compound exists in solution as an ensemble of conformations but with a significant amount of a type II beta-bend structure in the ensemble.

Conformational analysis of the 20 naturally occurring amino acid residues using ECEPP.

Conformational energy calculations using ECEPP (Empirical Conformational Energy Program for Peptides) were carried out on the N-acetyl-N'-methylamides of the 20 naturally occurring amino acids. Minimum-energy conformations were located, and the relative conformational energy, librational entropy, and free energy each minimum were calculated. The effects of intrinsic torsional potentials, intramolecular hydrogen bonds, and librational entropy on relative conformational energies and locations of minima are discussed. The results are categorized most easily by use of a new conformational letter code that is introduced here.