Solvent-Enhanced Conformational Flexibility of Cyclic Tetrapeptides

Solvent and temperature can affect the structural properties of cyclic peptides by controlling their flexibility. Here, we investigate two cyclic peptides, featuring beta turns. Using temperature-dependent NMR and FT-IR, we observed a pronounced temperature effect on the conformation of the cyclic peptide D-1 in CHCl₃ but a much smaller effect in CH₃CN. Almost no effect was observed for its diastereomer L-1 within a similar temperature range and using the same solvents. With the aid of Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics simulations and Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics calculations, we were able to explain this behavior based on the increased flexibility of D-1 (in CHCl₃) in terms of intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The largest temperature dependence is observed for D - 1 in CHCl₃, while the temperature effect is less pronounced for L-1 in CHCl₃ and for both peptides in CH₃CN. This work provides new insights into the role of the environment and temperature on the conformations of cyclic peptides.     

Conformational Analysis of Constrained Dilactam-bridged Tetrapeptides

In order to probe constrained regions in polypeptides, a series of lactambridged derivatives were prepared:

Our approach has been to limit mobility of the peptide backbone by coupling side chains on adjacent residues. This allows rotation about the torsion angles ψ₂ and φ₃ in the tetrapeptides. These model compounds, therefore, can mimic turns in polypeptides. The conformations of these peptides has been investigated by circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as well as via molecular dynamics simulations and energy minimization calculations. The results from these studies are consistent with the presence of a β-turn in the “LLDD LysGlu” tetrapeptide (compound 1) and with a variety of C7 structures for the other tetrapeptides (compounds 2, 4, and 5).     

多肽酰肼连接法合成环四肽

环四肽在药物研发中具有重要的潜在应用价值, 然而目前尚缺乏高效率合成环四肽的方法. 我们发展了以N端为半胱氨酸的四肽酰肼为原料的分子内环化方法, 合成了全L型氨基酸组成的环四肽. 该方法通过形成13元环的内硫酯中间体, 再经过S-to-N酰基迁移形成酰胺键, 最后通过脱硫反应, 得到目标环四肽分子.     

亚胺引发四肽环化反应机理的理论研究

运用密度泛函的理论方法（M06//B3LYP）对亚胺引发的关环肽环化的反应机理进行了研究. 计算结果表明,由亚胺到环肽的转化过程存在两种不同的反应机理. 一种是羰基转移-合环机理：先经历羰基转移,然后H转移与C-O合环同时进行. 另一种是H转移-合环-羰基转移-H转移机理：H原子先从O原子转移到N原子然后再进行C-O合环,随后再进行羰基转移与H原子转移. 计算结果显示,羰基转移-合环反应历程为有利路径,该反应路径中的H原子转移及C-O成环过程为整个反应的决速步骤.     

Volatolomics of Three South African Helichrysum Species Grown in Pot under Protected Environment

Helichrysum decorum DC, Helichrysum lepidissimum S. Moore, and Helichrysum umbraculigerum are three species traditionally used in the South African medicine. The present work deals with the investigation of the spontaneous emission and the essential oils obtained from these plants cultivated in open field under uniform conditions. Fractions of the volatile organic compounds of the three species were rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons, representing more than 70% of the total composition. Pinene isomers were the most representative compounds: β-pinene in H. decorum (53.0%), and α-pinene in H. lepidissimum (67.9%) and H. umbraculigerum (54.8%). These latter two species evidenced an important amount of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (SH) especially represented by γ-curcumene (H. lepidissimum) and α- and β-selinene (H. umbraculigerum). On the contrary, in the EOs, sesquiterpenes compounds prevailed, representing more than 64% of the identified fraction to reach more than 82 and 87% in H. umbraculigerum and H. lepidissimum, respectively. Although the chemical classes and their relative abundances were comparable among the three species, the individual compounds of EOs showed large differences. In fact, caryophyllene oxide (26.7%) and γ-curcumene (17.4%) were the main constituents in H. decorum, and H. lepidissimum respectively, while neo-intermedeol (11.2%) and viridiflorol (10.6%) characterized H. umbraculigerum.     

C-Alkylation of Sarcosine Residues in Cyclic Tetrapeptides via Lithium Enlates

The cyclic tetrapeptides cyclo(-Leu-Sar-Gly-), cyclo(-Val-Sar-Sar-Gly-), and cylco(-Meleu-Gly-D -Alasar-) have been synthesized from the component amino acids (BOP-Cl coupling), using the pentafluorophenyl esters for the cyclization step (42, 13, and 30% yield, respectively). Multiple deprotonation (LDA in THF/LiBr/DMPU) and addition of highly reactive electrophiles (CF₃CO₂D, MeI, CH₂O, CH₂CHCH₂Br, PhCH₂Br) produce cyclic tetrapeptides with additional substituents introduced diastereoselectively (70 to > 98% ds) in yields ranging from 20 to 90%. The C-alkylatd products are all derived from a sarcosine-enolate moiety adjacent to another N-methylamino acid. The structures of the resulting products are determined by NMR spectroscopy (DNOE and ROESY techniques) and by hydrolysis to the parent amino acids, suitable derivatization, and analysis by chromatography on a chiral GC column. It was shown in two cases that the overall yield of cyclization/alkylation to give a disubstitued cyclic tetrapeptide is higher than that of a synthesis of the same product from the corresponding amino-acid building blocks. Surprising temperature and salt effects on the yields and selectivities of the reactions of the cyclic tetrapeptide enolates are presented, and possible mechanistic interpretations are discussed.     

通过基于多肽酰肼的化学连接反应合成高张力环状四肽

刘磊课题组采用其发展的基于多肽酰肼的化学连接反应, 成功合成了一系列高张力环状四肽分子. 多肽酰肼在温和氧化条件下活化为多肽酰基叠氮中间体, 随后与4-巯基苯乙酸形成硫酯, 进而经由分子内天然化学连接反应得到环状四肽. 通过后续的自由基脱硫反应, 可得到连接位点为丙氨酸的产物.     

Tetrapeptides induce selective recognition for G-quadruplexes when conjugated to a DNA-binding platform

3,6-Bis-peptide acridine and acridone conjugates have been designed and synthesised to selectively interact with G-quadruplex DNA. The ligand properties are peptide sequence dependent, the highest discrimination being obtained with the FRHR tetrapeptide (up to >50-fold specificity). Molecular modeling studies have helped us rationalise the data and suggest that human telomeric quadruplex DNA can readily accommodate tetrapeptides, and furthermore that FRHR contributes to stabilization of the complex by non-bonded interactions within the TTA loop pockets of the quadruplex. These studies indicate that targeting distinct features of a G-quadruplex with hybrid molecules is a promising strategy for discriminating between quadruplex and duplex DNA.     

Facile Synthesis of Cyclic Tetrapeptides from Nonactivated Peptide Esters on Metal Centers

The cyclization of dipeptide esters of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-amino acids can be achieved by using Ni^II, Pd^II, or Cu^II templates. The structure of one of the complexes ( 1 ) obtained, which was determined by X-ray crystallography, reveals that the anions form layers and are linked to water molecules by hydrogen bonds.     

Preparation of Protected Serinol

. An effective procedure for the preparation of the benzylidene protected serinol, 5-amino-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane, is described. Catalytic reductive amination of O,O'-benzylidene dihydroxyacetene, BDHA, with ammonia in anhydrous ethanol gave the pure product in high yield.     

Two New Cyclic Tetrapeptides of Streptomyces rutgersensis T009 Isolated from Elaphodus davidianus Excrement

Two new cyclic tetrapeptides, cyclo(l ‐Val‐l ‐Leu‐l ‐Val‐l ‐Ile) ( 1 ) and cyclo(l ‐Leu‐l ‐Leu‐l ‐Ala‐l ‐Ala) ( 2 ), and 15 known compounds, cyclo(Gly‐l ‐Leu‐Gly‐l ‐Leu) ( 3 ), cyclo(l ‐Ser‐l ‐Phe) ( 4 ), cyclo(l ‐Leu‐l ‐Ile) ( 5 ), cyclo(l ‐Tyr‐l ‐Phe) ( 6 ), cyclo(Gly‐l ‐Trp) ( 7 ), cyclo(l ‐Leu‐l ‐Tyr) ( 8 ), cyclo(Gly‐l ‐Phe) ( 9 ), cyclo(l ‐Phe‐trans‐4‐hydroxy‐l ‐Pro) ( 10 ), cyclo(l ‐Leu‐l ‐Leu) ( 11 ), cyclo(l ‐Val‐l ‐Phe) ( 12 ), cyclo(l ‐Val‐l ‐Leu) ( 13 ), cyclo(l ‐Ile‐l ‐Ile) ( 14 ), cyclo(l ‐Tyr‐l ‐Tyr) ( 15 ), turnagainolide A ( 16 ), and bacimethrin ( 17 ) were isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces rutgersensis T009 obtained from Elaphodus davidianus excrement. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Meanwhile, the absolute configurations of the amino acid residues of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by advanced Marfey method. Compound 3 was obtained from a natural source for the first time. The X‐ray single crystal diffraction data of bacimethrin ( 17 ) were also reported for the first time. Compounds 1  –  17 exhibited no antimicrobial activities with the MICs > 100 μg/ml.     

以四肽自组装体为模板制备手性3-氨基苯酚甲醛树脂纳米纤维

采用经典的固相合成法制备了一对烷基取代丙氨酸四肽衍生物对映体,研究了其在不同溶剂中的成胶行为,并以其在甲醇中形成的超分子自组装体为模板,利用溶胶-凝胶法制备了单手螺旋3-氨基苯酚甲醛树脂纳米纤维.利用扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜观察超分子自组装体及3-氨基苯酚甲醛树脂的螺旋形貌,并利用圆二色谱研究其光学性质.研究发现,3-氨基苯酚甲醛树脂纳米纤维既具有纳米尺度的手性,又具有分子尺度的手性.手性从小分子形成的自组装体传递到高分子树脂中.     

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Unnatural Tetrapeptides Containing L‐Valine Units. Part 3

The stereoselective synthesis of the new nonproteinogenic branched tetrapeptides 9a – 9d and 15a , b , containing two L ‐valine units and unnatural α‐amino acids, was accomplished starting from the chiral synthon 1a , a monolactim ether easily obtained from L ‐valine.     

Tandem Deprotection–Dimerization–Macrocyclization Route to C2 Symmetric cyclo‐Tetrapeptides

Dimerization–macrocyclization has been a long‐standing problem in the cyclization of peptides since, together with the desired cyclic product, many cyclic oligomers and linear polymers may also be formed during the reaction. Therefore, the development of a process that affords the cyclic dimer predominantly is difficult. A novel and versatile strategy for the synthesis of symmetric cyclo‐tetrapeptides by palladium‐promoted tandem deprotection/cyclo‐dimerization from readily available Cbz‐dipeptidoyl benzotriazolides is reported (Cbz=carboxybenzyl).     

自组装单分子膜包覆的金属纳米粒子的电化学研究

介绍了近年来自组装单分子膜包覆的金属纳米粒子这一领域的最新发展,包括单分子层膜包裹的纳米粒子的合成、衍生化、光学和电化学性质及应用,其中重点介绍了其量子化充电现象.对该领域的深入研究将大大地促进化学、生物科学、材料科学和纳米电子学等前沿学科的发展.     

正交保护赖氨酸的合成

具有不同氨基保护基的赖氨酸在树状,环状多肽及糖肽等的合成中非常重要,以Ｄｄｅ、Ｆｍｏｃ,Ａｌｏｃ和Ｚ为保护基合成了６种正交保护的赖氨酸。     

全保护RGD三肽的合成方法研究

以两条路线、多种偶联试剂(DCC，EDCI，CDI，EEDQ)合成了全保护三肽Arg- Gly-Asp(RGD)．Boc-Arg(Tos)-OH经上述偶联剂短时活化，于合适条件下与Ts0H- G1y-OBzl缩合，均获得良好收率(43％-97％)．经Pd(OH)2／H2还原得到的Boc-Arg (Tos)-G1y-0H于22-27℃与HCl·Asp(OcHex)-OBzl偶联得到全保护三肽Boc-Arg (Tos)-Gly-Asp(OcHex)-OBzl(TM)，反应收率分别为76．4％(DCC／HOSu)，64．7％ -78．3％(DCC／HOBt)，66．7％-77．9％(EDCI／HOBt)．Boc-Gly-OH和HCl·Asp- (OcHex)-OBzl经DCC／HOBt或CDI活化，可得到碳端二肽Boc-Gly-Asp(OcHex)-OBzl (收率分别为81．2％，89．5％)，该二肽脱Boc后与Boc-Asp(Tos)-OH反应，经DCC ／HOBt，EDCI／HOBt，CDI，DCC／HOSu活化，均可生成目标分子TM，其反应收率分 别为40．4％，73．8％，67．8％，84．4％．     

On‐Surface Cyclization of Tetrapeptides Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers as Non‐Covalent Auxiliaries

Based on the fabrication of molecularly imprinted polymeric film on cellulose paper (MIFC), we have developed a robotic system for homodetic tetrapeptide cyclization. We constructed molecularly imprinted polymeric film (MIPF) on cellulose paper as the non‐covalent auxiliary to assist cyclic tetrapeptide (CTP) formation. Tetrapeptides were bound by their hydrophobic interaction with MIFC. With the help of MIFC and a coupling reagent, quantitative synthesis of CTPs was achieved conveniently for various tetrapeptides. The syntheses of cyclic tetrapeptide (CTP) could also be facilitated using the MIFC induced from CTP or other tetrapeptides with partially matched sequences.     

Probing the Bioactive Conformation of an Archetypal Natural Product HDAC Inhibitor with Conformationally Homogeneous Triazole‐Modified Cyclic Tetrapeptides

Fooling enzymes with mock amides : Analogues of apicidin, a cyclic‐tetrapeptide inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HDAC), were designed with a 1,4‐ or 1,5‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazole in place of a backbone amide bond to fix the bond in question in either a trans‐like or a cis‐like configuration. Thus, the binding affinity of distinct peptide conformations (see picture) could be probed. One analogue proved in some cases to be superior to apicidin as an HDAC inhibitor.