Evaluation of diverse α/β-backbone patterns for functional α-helix mimicry: analogues of the Bim BH3 domain

Peptidic oligomers that contain both α- and β-amino acid residues, in regular patterns throughout the backbone, are emerging as structural mimics of α-helix-forming conventional peptides (composed exclusively of α-amino acid residues). Here we describe a comprehensive evaluation of diverse α/β-peptide homologues of the Bim BH3 domain in terms of their ability to bind to the BH3-recognition sites on two partner proteins, Bcl-x(L) and Mcl-1. These proteins are members of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, and both bind tightly to the Bim BH3 domain itself. All α/β-peptide homologues retain the side-chain sequence of the Bim BH3 domain, but each homologue contains periodic α-residue → β(3)-residue substitutions. Previous work has shown that the ααβαααβ pattern, which aligns the β(3)-residues in a 'stripe' along one side of the helix, can support functional α-helix mimicry, and the results reported here strengthen this conclusion. The present study provides the first evaluation of functional mimicry by ααβ and αααβ patterns, which cause the β(3)-residues to spiral around the helix periphery. We find that the αααβ pattern can support effective mimicry of the Bim BH3 domain, as manifested by the crystal structure of an α/β-peptide bound to Bcl-x(L), affinity for a variety of Bcl-2 family proteins, and induction of apoptotic signaling in mouse embryonic fibroblast extracts. The best αααβ homologue shows substantial protection from proteolytic degradation relative to the Bim BH3 α-peptide.     

Hairpin folding behavior of mixed α/β-peptides in aqueous solution

The invention of new strategies for the design of protein-mimetic oligomers that manifest the folding encoded in natural amino acid sequences is a significant challenge. In contrast to the α-helix, mimicry of protein β-sheets is less understood. We report here the aqueous folding behavior of a prototype α-peptide hairpin model sequence varied at cross-strand positions by incorporation of 16 different β-amino acid monomers. Our results provide a folding propensity scale for β-residues in a protein β-sheet context as well as high-resolution structures of several mixed-backbone α/β-peptide hairpins in water.     

Constrained α/γ-peptides: a new stable extended structure in solution without any hydrogen bond and characterized by a four-fold symmetry

Small α/γ-peptides alternating α-aminoisobutyric acid and cyclic γ-amino acid residues are described. NMR studies together with restrained simulated annealing revealed that an extended backbone conformation largely dominates in solution for as short as 4-residues long oligomers. This new fold type is devoid of any hydrogen bond and characterized by a four-fold symmetry.     

Structural Investigation of Hybrid Peptide Foldamers Composed of α-Dipeptide Equivalent β-Oxy-δ5-amino Acids

Due to their equivalent lengths, δ-amino acids can serve as surrogates of α-dipeptides. However, δ-amino acids with proteinogenic side chains have not been well studied because of synthetic difficulties and because of their insolubility in organic solvents. Recently we reported the spontaneous supramolecular gelation of δ-peptides composed of β(O)-δ⁵-amino acids. Here, we report the incorporation of β(O)-δ⁵-amino acids as guests into the host α-helix, α,γ-hybrid peptide 12-helix and their single-crystal conformations. In addition, we studied the solution conformations of hybrid peptides composed of 1:1 alternating α and β(O)-δ⁵-amino acids. In contrast to the control α-helix structures, the crystal structure of peptides with β(O)-δ⁵-amino acids exhibit α-helical conformations consisting of both 13- and 10-membered H-bonds. The α,δ-hybrid peptide adopted mixed 13/11-helix conformation in solution with alternating H-bond directionality. Crystal-structure analysis revealed that the α,γ⁴-hybrid peptide accommodated the guest β(O)-δ⁵-amino acid without significant deviation to the overall helix folding. The results reported here emphasize that β(O)-δ⁵-amino acids with proteinogenic side chains can be accommodated into regular α-helix or 12-helix as guests without much deviation of the overall helix folding of the peptides.     

Design of Chiral β-Double Helices from γ-Peptide Foldamers

Chirality is ubiquitous in nature, and homochirality is manifested in many biomolecules. Although β-double helices are rare in peptides and proteins, they consist of alternating L- and D-amino acids. No peptide double helices with homochiral amino acids have been observed. Here, we report chiral β-double helices constructed from γ-peptides consisting of alternating achiral (E)-α,β-unsaturated 4,4-dimethyl γ-amino acids and chiral (E)-α,β-unsaturated γ-amino acids in both single crystals and in solution. The two independent strands of the same peptide intertwine to form a β-double helix structure, and it is stabilized by inter-strand hydrogen bonds. The peptides with chiral (E)-α,β-unsaturated γ-amino acids derived from α-L-amino acids adopt a (P)-β-double helix, whereas peptides consisting of (E)-α,β-unsaturated γ-amino acids derived from α-D-amino acids adopt an (M)-β-double helix conformation. The circular dichroism (CD) signature of the (P) and (M)-β-double helices and the stability of these peptides at higher temperatures were examined. Furthermore, ion transport studies suggested that these peptides transport ions across membranes. Even though the structural analogy suggests that these new β-double helices are structurally different from those of the α-peptide β-double helices, they retain ion transport activity. The results reported here may open new avenues in the design of functional foldamers.     

Combining spiro-fused cyclohexadienone – tetrahydrofuran ring system with glycine: Asymmetric synthesis of a new class of α-amino acid derivatives

Herein, we present the asymmetric synthesis of spiro-fused cyclohexadienone – tetrahydrofuran-embedded glycine derivatives as a new class of nonproteinogenic α-amino acid derivatives. Starting from commercially available 2-allylphenols, key β-hydroxy-α-amino esters were synthesized via high-yielding multi-step reaction sequences involving Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation as the chirality induction step. PhI(OAc)₂-mediated oxidative dearomatization – spirocyclization of phenol-tethered β-hydroxy-α-amino esters efficiently produced the corresponding spiro-fused cyclohexadienone – tetrahydrofuran-embedded glycine derivatives, providing a general route to this hitherto-unreported class of compounds that are equipped with three privileged scaffolds (cyclohexadienone – tetrahydrofuran – α-amino ester).     

Design,synthesis and structural analysis of mixed α/β-peptides that adopt stable cyclic hairpin-like conformations

The strategic replacement of four α-amino acid residues of a cyclo-(ααααα)₂ peptide by β-, β²- or β³-amino acids residues provided a series of novel 2:1 α/β-mixed peptides that were designed to adopt cyclic hairpin-like structures. It was shown that conformationally stable cyclo-(αβαβα)₂ isomers can be obtained using both enantiomers of the central two basic α-amino acid residues, a known α-amino acid turn sequence and several combinations of facing β-amino acid residues with no side chain or a hydrophobic side chain having specific regio- and stereochemistry. The X-ray analysis of two derivatives provides molecular details of the intra-molecular hydrogen bonding interaction, dihedral angles of the backbone and side chain positioning of the novel cyclic hairpin-like structures. One of these isomers forms an unprecedented hexagon-shaped nano-channel assembly in the crystal structure. Well-defined cyclic hairpin-like structures as described here and derivatives that can be readily designed based on this research can be used as scaffolds onto which functional groups can be grafted in a spatially controlled manner and as β-hairpin mimics with specific biological properties.     

Catalyst-free Mannich-type reaction of 1-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium salts with silyl enolates

A catalyst-free reaction of 1-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium tetrafluoroborates with silyl enolates was developed to prepare β-amino carbonyl compounds. The reported method is a useful approach for the preparation of N-protected β-amino esters as well as N-protected β-amino ketones. The starting 1-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium tetrafluoroborates are readily available from N-protected α-amino acids. Therefore, the presented approach can be considered a new method for the α-homologation of N-protected α-amino acids to prepare β-amino acid derivatives.     

β-Peptides: Synthesis by Arndt-Eistert homologation with concomitant peptide coupling. Structure determination by NMR and CD spectroscopy and by X-ray crystallography. Helical secondary structure of a β-hexapeptide in solution and its stability towards pepsin

The β-hexapeptide (H-β-HVal-β-HAla-β-HLeu)₂-OH ( 2 ) was prepared from the component L -β-amino acids by conventional peptide synthesis, including fragment coupling. A cyclo-β-tri- and a cyclo-β-hexapeptide were also prepared. The β-amino acids were obtained from α-amino acids by Arndt-Eistert homologation. All reactions leading to the β-peptides occur smoothly and in high yields. The β-peptides were characterized by their CD and NMR spectra (COSY, ROESY, TOCSY, and NOE-restricted modelling), and by an X-ray crystal-structure analysis. β-Sheet-type structures (in the solid state) and a compact, left-handed or (M) 3₁ helix of 5-Å pitch (in solution) were discovered. Comparison with the analogous secondary structures of α-peptides shows fundamental differences, the most surprising one at this point being the greater stability of β-peptide helices. There are structural relationships of β-peptides with oligomers of β-hydroxyalkanoic acids, and dissimilarities between the two classes of compounds are a demonstration of the power of H-bonding. The β-hexapeptide 2 is stable to cleavage by pepsin at pH 2 in H₂O for at least 60 h at 37°, while the corresponding α-peptide H-(Val-Ala-Leu)₂-OH is cleaved instantaneously under these conditions. The implication of the described results are discussed.     

Enantiopure synthesis of side chain-modified α-amino acids and 5-cis-alkylprolines

A short, concise synthesis of enantiopure, side chain-modified α-amino acids such as 4-oxo-L-norvaline, 6-oxo-L-homonorleucine, and 5-cis-alkyl prolines is described. Knoevenagel condensation of l-aminocarboxylate-derived β-ketoesters with aldehydes followed by reductive decarboxylation results in unnatural α-amino acids in good yield. A fluorescent amino acid is synthesized using a similar protocol. These studies show that aminocarboxylate-derived β-ketoesters are very useful intermediates and the method employed is both general and practical for the preparation of γ(δ)-oxo α-amino acids and alkylprolines.     

New chiral building blocks of β-peptoid analogs

The synthesis of chiral functionalized β-amino esters via the hydride reductive amination of chiral allenes was explored. These compounds can be regarded as β-peptoids building blocks bearing a chiral side chain at the nitrogen and at the same time retaining the β-amino acid side chain. β-Enamino esters were obtained from the nucleophilic addition of α-amino esters (l-Ala, d-Ala, l-Phe, l-Leu, l-Trp and d-Trp methyl esters) to 2,3-allenoates bearing a chiral auxiliary, which determines the stereochemistry outcome of the subsequent reduction reaction. It was also demonstrated that in the reduction of β-enamino esters derived from l-Pro and d-Pro methyl esters the chirality of the new chiral center is controlled by the α-amino ester moiety.     

3-Amino-2H-Azirines. Synthons for α,α-Disubstituted α-Amino Acids in Heterocycle and Peptide Synthesis [New Analytical Methods (43)]

The recent upswing in peptide chemistry has been accompanied by an increasing interest in nonproteinogenic amino acids. These include the α,α-disubstituted glycines, the best known of which is Aib (2-aminoisobutyric acid, 2-methylalanine). These α-amino acids occur in natural oligopeptides such as the peptaibols, a class of membrane-active ionophores that has been isolated from fungal cultures. The twofold substitution at the α-C atom of the amino acids severely restricts the conformational freedom of the peptides and causes particular secondary structures to be favored; thus, α, α-disubstituted α-amino acids induce the formation of β turns or helices. 3-Amino-2H-azirines are ideal synthons for the construction of oligopeptides, cyclic peptides and depsipeptides (peptolides) containing such α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids. The presence of the ring strain in these molecules means that they can be used in peptide coupling without the need for additional activating reagents. Using 3-amino-2H-azirines a large array of heterocycles containing α, α-disubstituted α-amino acids as structural elements within their skeleton can be synthesized. The driving force in these reactions is the release of the strain on the three-membered ring, which usually takes place in a ring-expansion reaction. The mechanistic elucidation of these reactions, which can be quite complex, contains some surprises.     

Conformation and chiral effects in α,β,α-tripeptides

Short α,β,α-tripeptides comprising a central chiral trisubstituted β(2,2,3)*-amino acid residue form unusual γ-turns and δ-turns in CDCl(3) and DMSO-d(6) solutions but do not form β-turns. Thermal coefficients of backbone amide protons, 2D-NMR spectra, and molecular modeling revealed that these motifs were strongly dependent on the configuration (chiral effect) of the central β-amino acid residue within the triad. Accordingly, SSS tripeptides adopted an intraresidual γ-turn like (C6) arrangement in the central β-amino acid, whereas SRS diastereomers preferred an extended δ-turn (C9) conformation. A different SRS-stabilizing bias was observed in the crystal structures of the same compounds, which shared the extended δ-turn (C9) found in solution, but incorporated an additional extended β-turn (C11) to form an overlapped double turn motif.     

Highly Stereoselective Aldol Reactions by Memory of Chirality: Synthesis of Quaternary β-Hydroxy α-Amino Acids

We describe here an asymmetric aldol reaction based on the principle of Memory of Chirality. From α-amino acids such as leucine and methionine, we have synthesized in two steps quaternary α-amino acid derivatives with high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity, using the chirality of the initial α-amino acid as the only chirality source. Furthermore, we were able to determine the relative and absolute configurations of the aldol products thanks to crystallographic structures and thus showed that the relative configuration depended on the aldehyde employed. We proposed a stereoselectivity explanation and obtained also quaternary β-hydroxy α-amino acids after acidic hydrolysis.     

(18-Crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid as a chiral NMR solvating agent for determining the enantiomeric purity and absolute configuration of β-amino acids

(18-Crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid is an excellent chiral NMR solvating agent for cyclic β-amino acids and acyclic derivatives with aliphatic, aromatic, and heterocyclic aromatic moieties. The β-amino acids are mixed with the crown ether in methanol-d₄ in either their neutral or protonated form. Substantial enantiomeric discrimination typically occurs for the resonances of the α-methylene and β-methine hydrogen atoms. Resonances of the substituent group of the β-amino acid often exhibit enantiomeric discrimination. The enantiomeric discrimination of the α-methylene and β-methine resonances of specific groups of compounds shows consistent patterns that correlate with the absolute configuration.     

Hormone-receptor interactions. Syntheses of alpha-melanotropin and of informational sequences thereof with the aid of alcali-labile protecting groups (author's transl)]

Hormone-Receptor Interactions. Synthesses of α-Melanotropin and of Informational Sequences thereof with the Aid of Alcali-Labile Protecting Groups. The aim of this investigation was to prepare α-melanotropin and partial sequences thereof for biological investigations in as pure a state as possible. Classical synthesis in solution was chosen as the general approach, because it allows for extensive purification and identification of all intermediates, thus warranting the chemical identity of the products (in contrast to the solidphase methods). The scheme of protection was as follows: for the N^α-amino groups mostly t-butoxycarbonyl (BOC-), sometimes benzyloxycarbonyl (Z-), for the N^?-amino group of lysine-(11) 2-(methylsulfonyl)-ethoxycarbonyl (MSOC-), and for the carboxylic acid group of C-terminal glycine-(10) 2-(4-tolyl-sulfonyl)-ethoxy (-OTSE). This provides for facile and mild selective deprotection of either the α-amino groups by acidolysis or of the ?-amino group (α-carboxyl group) by β-elimination in alcali. A slight molar excess of 0.12N HCl in HCOOH proved to be the method of choice for removing BOC-; MSOC- is stable in acid (even for 30 min in liquid HF) and easily removed in a few minutes by 0.05--0.1N Ba(OH)₂; -OTSE is removed similarly. Condensation of amino-acid and peptide derivatives (formation of the peptide link) was performed using active esters (-ONP; -OSU), dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide (DCCI) with or without 1-hydroxy-benzotriazole (HOBT), or carboxylic acid azides wherever histidine was the carboxylic component. More than 50 compounds are described. Those characterized by arabic numerals served to prove that α-MSH contains two message sequences that are able to trigger melanocyte response: one in the central region -His-Phe-Arg-Trp-, the other in the C-terminal portion -Gly-Lys-Pro-Val · NH₂ of the molecule [3].     

Efficient synthesis of fluorinated α- and β-amino nitriles from fluoroalkylated α,β-unsaturated imines

A simple and efficient synthesis of fluoroalkylated α-amino nitrile (4) derivatives by regioselective 1,2-addition of trimethylsilyl cyanide to fluoroalkylated α,β-unsaturated imines (1) is described. Fluoroalkylated β-amino nitriles (7) are also prepared by regioselective 1,2-addition of α-carbanions derived from acetonitrile to fluoroalkylated α,β-unsaturated imines (1). Fluoroalkylated α-(4) and β-amino nitriles (7) are also prepared through an ‘one pot’ procedure by reaction of enaminophosphonate 2 with BuLi, addition of aldehydes and subsequent addition of either trimethylsilyl cyanide or α-carbanion derived from acetonitrile. Basic hydrolysis of α-(4) and β-amino nitriles (7) gives fluoroalkylated α-(5) and β-amino acids (8).     

Asymmetric synthesis of chiral β-hydroxy-α-amino acid derivatives by organocatalytic aldol reactions of isocyanoesters with β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters

The first organocatalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of isocyanoesters with various β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters has been described. Using cinchona alkaloid-derived bifunctional thiourea as the catalyst, chiral β-hydroxy-α-amino acid derivatives can be obtained in excellent yields and enantioselectivities (up to 95% yield and 92% ee) after acidic hydrolysis. This protocol provides a straightforward method to access multiple substituted β-hydroxy-α-amino acid derivatives with high enantiomeric purity.     

Preparation of α-alkyl-β-amino acids via β-alanine Ni(II) complex

A new β-amino acrylic acid Ni(II) complex has been developed and used for the synthesis of α-alkyl-β-amino acids via alkylation with alkyl halides under operationally convenient conditions. The pivotal α-alkylated intermediate can be converted into the corresponding α-alkyl-β-amino acids via two steps with a wide range of substituents.     

Pd-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of quaternary α-amino acid derivatives using a phenylalanine-derived P-chirogenic diaminophosphine oxide

A Pd-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of quaternary α-amino acid derivatives using a phenylalanine-derived P-chirogenic diaminophosphine oxide is described. Asymmetric allylic substitution using acyclic β-keto esters with a nitrogen functional group at the α-carbon as prochiral nucleophiles proceeded in the presence of 5 mol % of Pd catalyst, 10 mol % of chiral diaminophosphine oxide 1j, BSA, and appropriate additives, affording the corresponding quaternary α-amino acid derivatives in excellent yield and in up to 92% ee.