The conformational preferences of γ-lactam and its role in constraining peptide structure

Summary The conformational constraints imposed by -lactams in peptides have been studied using valence force field energy calculations and flexible geometry maps. It has been found that while cyclisation restrains the of the lactam, non-bonded interactions contribute to the constraints on of the lactam. The -lactam also affects the (,) of the residue after it in a peptide sequence. For an l-lactam, the ring geometry restricts to about-120°, and has two minima, the lowest energy around-140° and a higher minimum (5 kcal/mol higher) at 60°, making an l--lactam more favourably accommodated in a near extended conformation than in position 2 of a type II -turn. The energy of the +60° minimum can be lowered substantially until it is more favoured than the-140° minimum by progressive substitution of bulkier groups on the amide N of the l--lactam. The (,) maps of the residue succeeding a -lactam show subtle differences from those of standard N-methylated residues. The dependence of the constraints on the chirality of -lactams and N-substituted -lactams, in terms of the formation of secondary structures like -turns is discussed and the comparison of the theoretical conformations with experimental results is highlighted.