A Designed Three‐Stranded β‐Sheet in an α/β Hybrid Peptide

The incorporation of β‐amino acid residues into the antiparallel β‐strand segments of a multi‐stranded β‐sheet peptide is demonstrated for a 19‐residue peptide, Boc‐LV^βFV^DPGL^βFVVL^DPGLVL^βFVV‐OMe (BBH19). Two centrally positioned ^DPro–Gly segments facilitate formation of a stable three‐stranded β‐sheet, in which β‐phenylalanine (^βPhe) residues occur at facing positions 3, 8 and 17. Structure determination in methanol solution is accomplished by using NMR‐derived restraints obtained from NOEs, temperature dependence of amide NH chemical shifts, rates of H/D exchange of amide protons and vicinal coupling constants. The data are consistent with a conformationally well‐defined three‐stranded β‐sheet structure in solution. Cross‐strand interactions between ^βPhe3/^βPhe17 and ^βPhe3/Val15 residues define orientations of these side‐chains. The observation of close contact distances between the side‐chains on the N‐ and C‐terminal strands of the three‐stranded β‐sheet provides strong support for the designed structure. Evidence is presented for multiple side‐chain conformations from an analysis of NOE data. An unusual observation of the disappearance of the Gly NH resonances upon prolonged storage in methanol is rationalised on the basis of a slow aggregation step, resulting in stacking of three‐stranded β‐sheet structures, which in turn influences the conformational interconversion between type I′ and type II′ β‐turns at the two ^DPro–Gly segments. Experimental evidence for these processes is presented. The decapeptide fragment Boc‐LV^βFV^DPGL^βFVV‐OMe (BBH10), which has been previously characterized as a type I′ β‐turn nucleated hairpin, is shown to favour a type II′ β‐turn conformation in solution, supporting the occurrence of conformational interconversion at the turn segments in these hairpin and sheet structures.     

Aggregation of amyloid Aβ(1–40) peptide in perdeuterated 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol caused by ultrasound sonication

Ultrasound sonication of protein and peptide solutions is routinely used in biochemical, biophysical, pharmaceutical and medical sciences to facilitate and accelerate dissolution of macromolecules in both aqueous and organic solvents. However, the impact of ultrasound waves on folding/unfolding of treated proteins, in particular, on aggregation kinetics of amyloidogenic peptides and proteins is not understood. In this work, effects of ultrasound sonication on the misfolding and aggregation behavior of the Alzheimer's Aβ_(1–40)‐peptide is studied by pulsed‐field gradient (PFG) spin–echo diffusion NMR and UV circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Upon simple dissolution of Aβ_(1–40) in perdeuterated trifluoroethanol, CF₃‐CD₂‐OD (TFE‐d₃), the peptide is present in the solution as a stable monomer adopting α‐helical secondary structural motifs. The self‐diffusion coefficient of Aβ_(1–40) monomers in TFE‐d₃ was measured as 1.35 × 10^?10 m² s^?1, reflecting its monomeric character. However, upon ultrasonic sonication for less than 5 min, considerable populations of Aβ molecules (ca 40%) form large aggregates as reflected in diffusion coefficients smaller than 4.0 × 10^?13 m² s^?1. Sonication for longer times (up to 40 min in total) effectively reduces the fraction of these aggregates in ¹H PFG NMR spectra to ca 25%. Additionally, absorption below 230 nm increased significantly upon sonication treatment, an observation, which also clearly confirms the ongoing aggregation process of Aβ_(1–40) in TFE‐d₃. Surprisingly, upon ultrasound sonication only small changes in the peptide secondary structure were detected by CD: the peptide molecules mainly adopt α‐helical motifs in both monomers and aggregates formed upon sonication. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural Studies for Specific Binding Capacity of β‐Cyclodextrin with Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen (Ibu) and β‐cyclodextrin (βCD) and its derivative (hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin, HPβCD) complexes spatial geometry information were studyed. Firstly, phase solubility experiment was carried out for S‐(+)‐ibuprofen (SIbu) and cyclodextrins complex. The apparent stability constant (Kc) for 1:1 complexes are 1065 M‐1 (βCD) and 1476 M‐1 (HPβCD) respectively. Secondly, ¹H NMR and two‐dimensional rotating‐frame overhauser effect spectroscopy (2D ROESY) were used for binding study, and confirmed that benzene ring of Ibu is deeply included into the cavity and racemic Ibu (RSIbu) can be discriminated by βCD or HPβCD. Finally, docking model was given by theoretical investigation. The model with ‐4.77 kcal/mol binding energy matches experimental structure.     

β‐Turn Analogues in Model αβ‐Hybrid Peptides: Structural Characterization of Peptides Containing β2,2Ac6c and β3,3Ac6c Residues

The effect of gem‐dialkyl substituents on the backbone conformations of β‐amino acid residues in peptides has been investigated by using four model peptides: Boc‐Xxx‐β^2,2Ac₆c(1‐aminomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid)‐NHMe (Xxx=Leu ( 1 ), Phe ( 2 ); Boc=tert‐butyloxycarbonyl) and Boc‐Xxx‐β^3,3Ac₆c(1‐aminocyclohexaneacetic acid)‐NHMe (Xxx=Leu ( 3 ), Phe ( 4 )). Tetrasubstituted carbon atoms restrict the ranges of stereochemically allowed conformations about flanking single bonds. The crystal structure of Boc‐Leu‐β^2,2Ac₆c‐NHMe ( 1 ) established a C₁₁ hydrogen‐bonded turn in the αβ‐hybrid sequence. The observed torsion angles (α(?≈?60°, ψ≈?30°), β(?≈?90°, θ≈60°, ψ≈?90°)) corresponded to a C₁₁ helical turn, which was a backbone‐expanded analogue of the type III β turn in αα sequences. The crystal structure of the peptide Boc‐Phe‐β^3,3Ac₆c‐NHMe ( 4 ) established a C₁₁ hydrogen‐bonded turn with distinctly different backbone torsion angles (α(?≈?60°, ψ≈120°), β(?≈60°, θ≈60°, ψ≈?60°)), which corresponded to a backbone‐expanded analogue of the type II β turn observed in αα sequences. In peptide 4 , the two molecules in the asymmetric unit adopted backbone torsion angles of opposite signs. In one of the molecules, the Phe residue adopted an unfavorable backbone conformation, with the energetic penalty being offset by a favorable aromatic interaction between proximal molecules in the crystal. NMR spectroscopy studies provided evidence for the maintenance of folded structures in solution in these αβ‐hybrid sequences.     

β‐Hairpins Generated from Hybrid Peptide Sequences Containing both α‐ and β‐Amino Acids

The incorporation of the β‐amino acid residues into specific positions in the strands and β‐turn segments of peptide hairpins is being systematically explored. The presence of an additional torsion variable about the C(α) C(β) bond (θ) enhances the conformational repertoire in β‐residues. The conformational analysis of three designed peptide hairpins composed of α/β‐hybrid segments is described: Boc‐Leu‐Val‐Val‐^DPro‐β Phe ‐Leu‐Val‐Val‐OMe ( 1 ), Boc‐Leu‐Val‐β Val ‐^DPro‐Gly‐β Leu ‐Val‐Val‐OMe ( 2 ), and Boc‐Leu‐Val‐β Phe ‐Val‐^DPro‐Gly‐Leu‐β Phe ‐Val‐Val‐OMe ( 3 ). 500‐MHz ¹H‐NMR Analysis supports a preponderance of β‐hairpin conformation in solution for all three peptides, with critical cross‐strand NOEs providing evidence for the proposed structures. The crystal structure of peptide 2 reveals a β‐hairpin conformation with two β‐residues occupying facing, non‐H‐bonded positions in antiparallel β‐strands. Notably, βVal(3) adopts a gauche conformation about the C(α) C(β) bond (θ=+65°) without disturbing cross‐strand H‐bonding. The crystal structure of 2 , together with previously published crystal structures of peptides 3 and Boc‐β Phe ‐β Phe ‐^DPro‐Gly‐β Phe ‐β Phe ‐OMe, provide an opportunity to visualize the packing of peptide sheets with local ‘polar segments' formed as a consequence of reversal peptide‐bond orientation. The available structural evidence for hairpins suggests that β‐residues can be accommodated into nucleating turn segments and into both the H‐bonding and non‐H‐bonding positions on the strands.     

NMR‐Structural Investigations of a β3‐Dodecapeptide with Proteinogenic Side Chains in Methanol and in Aqueous Solutions

The structural properties of an all‐β³‐dodecapeptide with the sequence H‐β‐HLys(N^ε‐CO(CH₂)₃‐S Acm)‐β‐HPhe‐β‐HTyr‐β‐HLeu‐β‐HLys‐β‐HSer‐β‐HLys‐β‐HPhe‐β‐HSer‐β‐HVal‐β‐HLys‐β‐HAla‐OH ( 1 ) have been studied by two‐dimensional homonuclear ¹H‐NMR and by CD spectroscopy. In MeOH solution, high‐resolution NMR spectroscopy showed that the β‐dodecapeptide forms an (M)‐3₁₄‐helix, and the CD spectrum corresponds to the pattern expected for an (M)‐3₁₄‐helical secondary structure. In aqueous solution, however, the peptide adopts a predominantly extended conformation without regular secondary‐structure elements, which is in agreement with the absence of the characteristic trough near 215 nm in the CD spectrum. The NMR and CD measurements with solutions of 1 in MeOH containing 3M urea further indicated that the peptide retains the regular secondary structural elements under these conditions, whereas, after addition of 40% (v/v) H₂O to the MeOH solution, the large ¹H‐chemical‐shift dispersion indicative of a defined spatial peptide fold was lost. The β³‐dodecapeptide is – so far – the longest β‐peptide shown to adopt a regular (M)‐3₁₄‐helix conformation in an organic solvent. The observation that the structure of this long β³‐peptide is not maintained in aqueous solution indicates that the (M)‐3₁₄‐fold is primarily stabilized by short‐range interactions.     

New Open‐Chain and Cyclic Tetrapeptides,Consisting of α‐, β2‐, and β3‐Amino‐Acid Residues,as Somatostatin Mimics – A Survey

Cyclo‐β‐tetrapeptides are known to adopt a conformation with an intramolecular transannular hydrogen bond in solution. Analysis of this structure reveals that incorporation of a β²‐amino‐acid residue should lead to mimics of ‘α‐peptidic β‐turns’ (cf. A, B, C ). It is also known that short‐chain mixed β/α‐peptides with appropriate side chains can be used to mimic interactions between α‐peptidic hairpin turns and G protein‐coupled receptors. Based on these facts, we have now prepared a number of cyclic and open‐chain tetrapeptides, 7 – 20 , consisting of α‐, β²‐, and β³‐amino‐acid residues, which bear the side chains of Trp and Lys, and possess backbone configurations such that they should be capable of mimicking somatostatin in its affinity for the human SRIF receptors (hsst_1–5). All peptides were prepared by solid‐phase coupling by the Fmoc strategy. For the cyclic peptides, the three‐dimensional orthogonal methodology (Scheme 3) was employed with best success. The new compounds were characterized by high‐resolution mass spectrometry, NMR and CD spectroscopy, and, in five cases, by a full NMR‐solution‐structure determination (in MeOH or H₂O; Fig. 4). The affinities of the new compounds for the receptors hsst_1–5 were determined by competition with [¹²⁵I]LTT‐SRIF₂₈ or [¹²⁵I] [Tyr¹⁰]‐CST₁₄. In Table 1, the data are listed, together with corresponding values of all β‐ and γ‐peptidic somatostatin/Sandostatin^® mimics measured previously by our groups. Submicromolar affinities have been achieved for most of the human SRIF receptors hsst_1–5. Especially high, specific binding affinities for receptor hsst₄ (which is highly expressed in lung and brain tissue, although still of unknown function!) was observed with some of the β‐peptidic mimics. In view of the fact that numerous peptide‐activated G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) recognize ligands with turn structure (Table 2), the results reported herein are relevant far beyond the realm of somatostatin: many other peptide GPCRs should be ‘reached’ with β‐ and γ‐peptidic mimics as well, and these compounds are proteolytically and metabolically stable, and do not need to be cell‐penetrating for this purpose (Fig. 5).     

Synthesis of Organoselenium‐Modified β‐Cyclodextrins Possessing a 1,2‐Benzisoselenazol‐3(2H)‐one Moiety and Their Enzyme‐Mimic Study

Six novel H₂O‐soluble β‐cyclodextrin derivatives containing a 1,2‐benzisoselenazol‐3(2H)‐one moiety were synthesized by a convenient method in 25–60% yield and characterized by MS, elemental analysis, IR, ¹H‐NMR, and UV/VIS spectroscopy. The conformations of these β‐cyclodextrin derivatives 1 – 6 were analyzed by circular dichroism and fluorescence‐lifetime experiments. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of 1 – 6 were determined by auto‐oxidation of pyrogallol at 25.0° in buffer solution (pH 8.2), giving relatively high SOD activities of up to 121–330 U/mg. Also, the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities of hosts 1 – 6 , determined by the method of Wilson at 37° in buffer solution (pH 7.0), show good GPX activities in the range of 0.34–0.86 U/μmol. The mimicking results of the bifunctional artificial enzyme models 1 – 6 were globally compared with regard to their structural and conformational difference.     

Synthesis and Characterization of β‐Diketiminate Zinc Complexes

The monomeric β‐diketiminate zinc complex (Mes)NacNacZnMe 1 (MesNacNac = {[2,6‐(2,4,6‐Me₃‐C₆H₂)N(Me)C)]₂CH}) was obtained in almost quantitative yield from the reaction of ZnMe₂ with (Mes)NacNacH. Reaction of 1 with either Me₃NHCl or a solution of HCl in Et₂O yielded (Mes)NacNacZnCl 2 , whereas (Mes)NacNacZnI 3 was obtained from the reaction of 1 with I₂. 1 – 3 were characterized by elemental analyses, mass and multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}) NMR spectroscopy, 3·THF also by single crystal X‐ray analysis.     

β‐Peptide Conjugates: Syntheses and CD and NMR Investigations of β/α‐Chimeric Peptides,of a DPA‐β‐Decapeptide,and of a PEGylated β‐Heptapeptide

β³‐Peptides consisting of six, seven, and ten homologated proteinogenic amino acid residues have been attached to an α‐heptapeptide (all d‐ amino acid residues; 4 ), to a hexaethylene glycol chain (PEGylation; 5c ), and to dipicolinic acid (DPA derivative 6 ), respectively. The conjugation of the β‐peptides with the second component was carried out through the N‐termini in all three cases. According to NMR analysis (CD₃OH solutions), the (M)‐3₁₄‐helical structure of the β‐peptidic segments was unscathed in all three chimeric compounds (Figs. 2, 4, and 5). The α‐peptidic section of the α/β‐peptide was unstructured, and so was the oligoethylene glycol chain in the PEGylated compound. Thus, neither does the appendage influence the β‐peptidic secondary structure, nor does the latter cause any order in the attached oligomers to be observed by this method of analysis. A similar conclusion may be drawn from CD spectra (Figs. 1, 3, and 5). These results bode well for the development of delivery systems involving β‐peptides.     

NOESY,HOESY, T1 and solid‐state NMR studies on [RuH(η6‐toluene)(Binap)](CF3SO3): a molecule with a strongly distorted piano‐stool structure

Detailed solution‐NMR studies on the distorted ruthenium hydride complex [RuH(η⁶‐toluene)(Binap)](CF₃SO₃) (2) are reported. NOE‐spectroscopy, together with low‐temperature ¹H and ³¹P NMR data, reveals restricted rotation around a P—C bond for a specific axial P—phenyl ring with the activation energy determined via simulation. From ¹⁹F, ¹H HOESY data, the approach of the triflate anion relative to the hydride ligand is established. Comparison of the quadrupole coupling constant C_QF from both solution‐ and solid‐state MAS‐NMR on the deuteride [RuD(η⁶‐benzene)(Binap)](CF₃SO₃) (1‐D) provide information on the nature of the Ru—H bond. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

NMR‐Solution Structures in Methanol of an α‐Heptapeptide,of a β3/β2‐Nonapeptide,and of an all‐β3‐Icosapeptide Carrying the 20 Proteinogenic Side Chains

The NMR‐solution structure of an α‐heptapeptide with a central Aib residue was investigated in order to verify that, in contrast to β‐peptides, short α‐peptides do not form a helical structures in MeOH. Although the central Aib residue was found to induce a bend in the experimentally determined structure, no secondary structure typical for longer α‐peptides or proteins was found. A β²/β³‐nonapeptide with polar, positively charged side chains was subjected to NMR analysis in MeOH and H₂O. Whereas, in MeOH, it folds into a 10/12‐helix very similar to the structure determined for a corresponding β²/β³‐nonapeptide with only aliphatic side chains, no dominant conformation could be determined in H₂O. Finally, the NMR analysis of a β³‐icosapeptide containing the side chains of all 20 proteinogenic amino acids in MeOH is described. It revealed that this 20mer folds into a 3₁₄‐helix over its whole length forming six full turns, the longest 3₁₄‐helix found so far. Together, our findings confirm that, in contrast to α‐peptides, β‐peptides not only form helices with just six residues, but also form helices that are longer than helical sections usually observed in proteins or natural peptides. The higher helix‐forming propensity of long β‐peptides is attributed to the conformation‐stabilizing effect of the staggered ethane sections in β‐peptides which outweighs the detrimental effect of the increasing macrodipole.     

A rare occurrence of a β‐turn in an amyloid βA4 peptide

The fragment β(25–35) of the amyloid β‐peptide, like its parent βA4, has shown neurotrophic and late neurotoxic activities in cultured cells. The 3D structure of this important peptide was examined by ¹H and ¹³C 2D‐NMR and MD simulations in DMSO‐d₆ and water. The NMR parameters of chemical shift, ³J(N,Hα) coupling constants, temperature coefficients of NH chemical shifts and the pattern of intra and inter‐residue NOEs were used to deduce the structures. In DMSO‐d₆, the peptide was found to take up a type I β‐turn around the C‐terminal residues Ile⁸–Gly⁹–Leu¹⁰–Met¹¹, whereas in water at pH 5.5, it adopts a random coil conformation. This is only the second report of a β‐turn in the β‐amyloid class of peptides. The solution structures generated using restrained molecular dynamics were refined by MARDIGRAS to an R factor of 0.33 in the case of DMSO‐d₆ and to 0.56 for water. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and High‐Resolution NMR Structure of a β3‐Octapeptide with and without a Tether Introduced by Olefin Metathesis

Bridging between (i)‐ and (i+3)‐positions in a β³‐peptide with a tether of appropriate length is expected to prevent the corresponding 3₁₄‐helix from unfolding (Fig. 1). The β³‐peptide H‐β³hVal‐β³hLys‐β³hSer(All)‐β³hPhe‐β³hGlu‐β³hSer(All)‐β³hTyr‐β³hIle‐OH ( 1 ; with allylated βhSer residues in 3‐ and 6‐position), and three tethered β‐peptides 2 – 4 (related to 1 through ring‐closing metathesis) have been synthesized (solid‐phase coupling, Fmoc strategy, on chlorotrityl resin; Scheme). A comparative CD analysis of the tethered β‐peptide 4 and its non‐tethered analogue 1 suggests that helical propensity is significantly enhanced (threefold CD intensity) by a (CH₂)₄ linker between the β³hSer side chains (Fig. 2). This conclusion is based on the premise that the intensity of the negative Cotton effect near 215 nm in the CD spectra of β³‐peptides represents a measure of ‘helical content’. An NMR analysis in CD₃OH of the two β³‐octapeptide derivatives without (i.e., 1 ) and with tether (i.e., 4 ; Tables 1–6, and Figs. 4 and 5) provided structures of a degree of precision (by including the complete set of side chain–side chain and side chain–backbone NOEs) which is unrivaled in β‐peptide NMR‐solution‐structure determination. Comparison of the two structures (Fig. 5) reveals small differences in side‐chain arrangements (separate bundles of the ten lowest‐energy structures of 1 and 4 , Fig. 5, A and B ) with little deviation between the two backbones (superposition of all structures of 1 and 4 , Fig. 5, C ). Thus, the incorporation of a CH₂? O? (CH₂)₄? O? CH₂ linker between the backbone of the β³‐amino acids in 3‐ and 6‐position (as in 4 ) does accurately constrain the peptide into a 3₁₄‐helix. The NMR analysis, however, does not suggest an increase in the population of a 3₁₄‐helical backbone conformation by this linkage. Possible reasons for the discrepancy between the conclusion from the CD spectra and from the NMR analysis are discussed.     

Fluorescence Sensing and Selective Binding of a Novel 4,4′‐Sulfonyldianiline‐Bridged Bis(β‐cyclodextrin) for Bile Salts

A novel 4,4′‐sulfonyldianiline‐bridged bis(β‐cyclodextrin (CD)) 2 was synthesized, and its complex stability constants (K_s) for the 1 : 1 inclusion complexation with bile salts, i.e., cholate (CA), deoxycholate (DCA), glycocholate (GCA), and taurocholate (TCA) have been determined in phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) at 25° by fluorescence spectroscopy. The result indicated that 2 can act as efficient fluorescent sensor and display remarkable fluorescence enhancement upon addition of optically inert bile salts. Structures of the inclusion complexes between bile salts and 2 were elucidated by 2D‐NMR experiments, indicating that the anionic tail group and the D ring of bile salts penetrate into one CD cavity of 2 from the wide opening deeply, while the phenyl moiety of the CD linker is partially self‐included in the other CD cavity to form a host–linker–guest binding mode. As compared with native β‐CD 1 upon complexation with bile salts, bis(β‐CD) 2 enhances the binding ability and molecular selectivity. Typically, 2 gives the highest K_s value of 26200 M ^?1 for the complexation with CA, which may be ascribed to the simultaneous contributions of hydrophobic, H‐bond, and electrostatic interactions. These phenomena are discussed from the viewpoints of multiple recognition and induce‐fit interactions between host and guest.     

Preparation of Protected β2‐ and β3‐Homocysteine, β2‐ and β3‐Homohistidine,and β2‐Homoserine for Solid‐Phase Syntheses

The Ser, Cys, and His side chains play decisive roles in the syntheses, structures, and functions of proteins and enzymes. For our structural and biomedical investigations of β‐peptides consisting of amino acids with proteinogenic side chains, we needed to have reliable preparative access to the title compounds. The two β³‐homoamino acid derivatives were obtained by Arndt–Eistert methodology from Boc‐His(Ts)‐OH and Fmoc‐Cys(PMB)‐OH (Schemes 2–4), with the side‐chain functional groups' reactivities requiring special precautions. The β²‐homoamino acids were prepared with the help of the chiral oxazolidinone auxiliary DIOZ by diastereoselective aldol additions of suitable Ti‐enolates to formaldehyde (generated in situ from trioxane) and subsequent functional‐group manipulations. These include OH→O^tBu etherification (for β²hSer; Schemes 5 and 6), OH→STrt replacement (for β²hCys; Scheme 7), and CH₂OH→CH₂N₃→CH₂NH₂ transformations (for β²hHis; Schemes 9–11). Including protection/deprotection/re‐protection reactions, it takes up to ten steps to obtain the enantiomerically pure target compounds from commercial precursors. Unsuccessful approaches, pitfalls, and optimization procedures are also discussed. The final products and the intermediate compounds are fully characterized by retention times (t_R), melting points, optical rotations, HPLC on chiral columns, IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analyses, and (in some cases) by X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis.     

NMR spectra and structures of oridonin derivatives complexes with β‐cyclodextrin

Complexations between three oridonin derivatives and β‐cyclodextrin (βCD) were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method. Job's plots for complexes were depicted by ¹H NMR spectra chemical shifts, which proved the 1:1 stoichiometry inclusion complex formation between each derivative and βCD. Two‐dimensional rotating frame overhauser effect spectroscopy (2D ROESY) support the above conclusion and also proved that ring A of each oridonin derivative deeply enters into hydrophobic cavity from the wider rim and the other parts are outside the cavity. Apparent formation constants (K_a) of complexes between three oridonin derivatives and two CDs are calculated according to Scott's equation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solid‐Phase Synthesis and Characterization of N‐Terminally Elongated Aβ−3–x‐Peptides

In addition to the prototypic amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides Aβ_1–40 and Aβ_1–42, several Aβ variants differing in their amino and carboxy termini have been described. Synthetic availability of an Aβ variant is often the key to study its role under physiological or pathological conditions. Herein, we report a protocol for the efficient solid‐phase peptide synthesis of the N‐terminally elongated Aβ‐peptides Aβ_?3–38, Aβ_?3–40, and Aβ_?3–42. Biophysical characterization by NMR spectroscopy, CD spectroscopy, an aggregation assay, and electron microscopy revealed that all three peptides were prone to aggregation into amyloid fibrils. Immunoprecipitation, followed by mass spectrometry, indicated that Aβ_?3–38 and Aβ_?3–40 are generated by transfected cells even in the presence of a tripartite β‐site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) inhibitor. The elongated Aβ peptides starting at Val(?3) can be separated from N‐terminally‐truncated Aβ forms by high‐resolution isoelectric‐focusing techniques, despite virtually identical isoelectric points. The synthetic Aβ variants and the methods presented here are providing tools to advance our understanding of the potential roles of N‐terminally elongated Aβ variants in Alzheimer's disease.     

Self‐Assembly of 3,6‐Bis(4‐triazolyl)pyridazine Ligands with Copper(I) and Silver(I) Ions: Time‐Dependant 2D‐NOESY and Ultracentrifuge Measurements

Two 3,6‐bis(R‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridazines (R=mesityl, monodisperse (CH₂ CH₂O)₁₂CH₃) were synthesized by the copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition and self‐assembled with tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(I) hexafluorophosphate and silver(I) hexafluoroantimonate in dichloromethane. The obtained copper(I) complexes were characterized in detail by time‐dependent 1D [¹H, ¹³C] and 2D [¹H‐NOESY] NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, high‐resolution ESI‐TOF mass spectrometry, and analytical ultracentrifugation. The latter characterization methods, as well as the comparison to analog 3,6‐di(2‐pyridyl)pyridazine (dppn) systems and their corresponding copper(I) and silver(I) complexes indicated that the herein described 3,6‐bis(1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridazine ligands form [2×2] supramolecular grids. However, in the case of the 3,6‐bis(1‐mesityl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridazine ligand, the resultant red‐colored copper(I) complex turned out to be metastable in an acetone solution. This behavior in solution was studied by NMR spectroscopy, and it led to the conclusion that the copper(I) complex transforms irreversibly into at least one different metal complex species.     

ε‐Caprolactone/ZnCl2 complex formation: Characterization and ring‐opening polymerization mechanism

ε‐Caprolactone (ε‐CL) has been mixed with ZnCl₂ at different mol ratios. The resulting complex was characterized through ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy in bulk and in solutions, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and optical microscopy. Ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone [M] using ZnCl₂ as an initiator [I] at different monomer/initiator ratios has been successfully performed in xylene. The molecular weight of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) as measured by gel permeation chromatografy (GPC) was found to depend linearly on the [M]/[I] ratio. Theoretical calculations were carried out to understand the geometry of the complex and the operating ring‐opening mechanism. Both experimental and computational results and the presence of methylene–chloride end group, confirmed by NMR, are in agreement with a coordination–insertion mechanism for the ring‐opening polymerization proposed in this article. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1355–1365, 2000