The role of cystine knots in collagen folding and stability,part II. Conformational properties of (Pro-Hyp-Gly)n model trimers with N- and C-terminal collagen type III cystine knots

In mature collagen type III the homotrimer is C-terminally cross-linked by an interchain cystine knot consisting of three disulfide bridges of unknown connectivity. This cystine knot with two adjacent cysteine residues on each of the three alpha chains has recently been used for the synthesis and expression of model homotrimers. To investigate the origin of correct interchain cysteine pairings, (Pro-Hyp-Gly)(n) peptides of increasing triplet number and containing the biscysteinyl sequence C- and N-terminally were synthesised. The possibilities were that this origin may be thermodynamically coupled to the formation of the collagen triple helix as happens in the oxidative folding of proteins, or it could represent a post-folding event. Only with five triplets, which is known to represent the minimum number for self-association of collagenous peptides into a triple helix, air-oxidation produces the homotrimer in good yields (70 %), the rest being intrachain oxidised monomers. Increasing the number of triplets has no effect on yield suggesting the formation of kinetically trapped intermediates, which are not reshuffled by the glutathione redox buffer. N-terminal incorporation of the cystine knot is significantly less efficient in the homotrimerisation step and also in terms of triple-helix stabilisation. Compared to an artificial C-terminal cystine knot consisting of two interchain disulfide bridges, the collagen type III cystine knot produces collagenous homotrimers of remarkably high thermostability, although the concentration-independent refolding rates are not affected by the type of disulfide bridging. Since the natural cystine knot allows ready access to homotrimeric collagenous peptides of significantly enhanced triple-helix thermostability it may well represent a promising approach for the preparation of collagen-like innovative biomaterials. Conversely, the more laborious regioselectively formed artificial cystine knot still represents the only synthetic strategy for heterotrimeric collagenous peptides.     

The role of cystine knots in collagen folding and stability,part I. Conformational properties of (Pro-Hyp-Gly)5 and (Pro-(4S)-FPro-Gly)5 model trimers with an artificial cystine knot

In analogy to the cystine knots present in natural collagens, a simplified disulfide cross-link was used to analyse the conformational effects of a C-terminal artificial cystine knot on the folding of collagenous peptides consisting of solely (Pro-Hyp-Gly) repeating units. Assembly of the alpha chains into a heterotrimer by previously applied regioselective disulfide-bridging strategies failed because of the high tendency of (Pro-Hyp-Gly)(5) peptides to self-associate and form homotrimers. Only when side-chain-protected peptides were used, for example in the Hyp(tBu) form, and a new protection scheme was adopted, selective interchain-disulfide cross-linking into the heterotrimer in organic solvents was successful. This unexpected strong effect of the conformational properties on the efficiency of well-established reactions was further supported by replacing the Hyp residues with (4S)-fluoroproline, which is known to destabilise triple-helical structures. With the related [Pro-(4S)-FPro-Gly](5) peptides, assembly of the heterotrimer in aqueous solution proceeded in a satisfactory manner. Both the intermediates and the final fluorinated heterotrimer are fully unfolded in aqueous solution even at 4 degrees C. Conversely, the disulfide-crossbridged (Pro-Hyp-Gly)(5) heterotrimer forms a very stable triple helix. The observation that thermal unfolding leads to scrambling of the disulfide bridges was unexpected. Although NMR experiments support an extension of the triple helix into the cystine knot, thermolysis is not associated with the unfolding process. In fact, the unstructured fluorinated trimer undergoes an equally facile thermodegradation associated with the intrinsic tendency of unsymmetrical disulfides to disproportionate into symmetrical disulfides under favourable conditions. The experimental results obtained with the model peptides fully support the role of triple-helix nucleation and stabilisation by the artificial cystine knot as previously suggested for the natural cystine knots in collagens.     

Fluorescence characterization of the thermal stability of collagen mimic peptides

The thermal stability of triple helical structure plays a critical role in collagen biosynthesis, function and degradation. CD technique was utilized to characterize the thermal stability of synthetic collagen mimic peptides. Fluorescence spectroscopy is widely used with easy access all around the world because of its inexpensive instrumentation, low operation cost, easy operation, and high sensitivity. Here we have developed an alternative fluorescence method to detect the thermal stability of collagen mimic peptides. We have demonstrated that fluorescence spectroscopy could measure the thermal stability of collagen mimic peptides with low concentrations under different circumstances. This highly sensitive fluorescence self-quenching assay will greatly expedite the studies of sequence-dependent properties of collagen mimic peptides, and it has great potential in the application of determining the thermal stability of triple helix systems such as collagens, collectins, adiponectin, macrophage scavenger and C1q.     

Photosensitive Surfactants with Various Hydrophobic Tail Lengths for the Photocontrol of Genomic DNA Conformation with Improved Efficiency

We report the synthesis and characterisation of photosensitive cationic surfactants with various hydrophobic tail lengths. These molecules, called AzoCx, are used as photosensitive nucleic acid binders (pNABs) and are applied to the photocontrol of DNA conformation. All these molecules induce DNA compaction in a photodependent way, originating in the photodependent polarity of their hydrophobic tails. We show that increasing hydrophobicity strongly enhances the compaction efficiencies of these molecules, but reduces the possibility of reversible photocontrol of a DNA conformation. Optimal performance was achieved with AzoC5, which allowed reversible control of DNA conformation with light at a concentration seven times smaller than previously reported.     

Azo compounds with different sized fluorophores and characterization of their photophysical properties based on trans to cis conformational change

We synthesized fluorophores of different sizes attached to azo derivatives, such as thiophene-, naphthalene-, anthracene-, and pyrene-based azo compounds, and studied their photophysical properties. The compounds exhibited strong color and intensity changes in absorption and emission during the structural change from trans to cis, which also resulted in a large Stokes shift and a difference in quantum yield. Depending on their size, the compounds had different rates of transformation from the trans to cis structure: less conjugated (smaller) fluorophore azo compounds showed higher transition rates than more conjugated (larger) ones.     

Towards photocontrol over the helix-coil transition in foldamers: synthesis and photoresponsive behavior of azobenzene-core amphiphilic oligo(meta-phenylene ethynylene)s

Introduction of photochromic azobenzene units into amphiphilic oligo(meta-phenylene ethynylene)s allowed photocontrol over the helix-coil transition in this important class of foldamers. Two design principles were followed in efforts to accommodate cis- and trans-azobenzene moieties within the helical structure to selectively turn the helical state on and off, respectively. Several oligomer series with varying connectivities to the central azobenzene chromophore were synthesized and these photochromic oligomers were investigated with regard to their folding behavior in both dark and irradiated states. Both the foldamers' chain lengths and the electronic structures of the azobenzene moieties had to be optimized to ensure folding differences and selective excitation of the photochrome. The design of such stimuli-responsive macromolecules, displaying large structural changes upon irradiation, should guide the design of future materials in, for example, "smart" delivery applications.     

A Versatile Cyclic 2,2′‐Azobenzenophane with a Functional Handle and Its Polymers: Efficient Synthesis and Effect of Topological Structure on Chiroptical Properties

Two novel cyclic azobenzenophanes (SC, RC) with functional handles have been synthesized efficiently by a Glaser coupling reaction. Through a Suzuki coupling reaction, alternating ring/linear polymers with rigid (conjugated)/flexible (unconjugated) bridges were obtained from the resultant cyclic azobenzenophanes. The optical activities of linear, cyclic, and macromolecular binaphethyl–azobenzene derivatives were investigated by UV/Vis and circular dichroism (CD) spectra and the time‐dependent (TD)‐DFT method. Experimental results and theoretical analyses indicated that the cyclic configurations exhibited better chiroptical features than the others, and the reverse conformation and difference of dextro‐/levo‐rotation of azobenzenophanes were detected by comparing linear and cyclic structures, which provides an opportunity for the optical‐rotation‐controlled “smart” materials systems in future.     

Homo‐double helix formation of an optically active conjugated polymer bearing carboxy groups and amplification of the helicity upon complexation with achiral and chiral amines

An optically active, m‐terphenyl‐based π‐conjugated polymer bearing carboxy groups was synthesized by the copolymerization of the diethynyl monomer bearing a carboxy group with (S,S)‐2,5‐bis(2‐methylbutoxy)‐1,4‐dibromobenzene using Sonogashira reaction. The copolymer showed a weak circular dichroism (CD) in the main‐chain chromophore region due to a homo‐double helix formation with an excess helical handedness biased by the chiral alkoxy substituents through self‐association. However, upon complexation with achiral amines, such as piperidine, the CD intensity of the polymer significantly increased resulting in the formation of a greater excess one‐handed homo‐double helix via hydrogen‐bonded inclusion complexation with the achiral amines between each strand, leading to the amplification of the helicity. A preferred‐handed homo‐double helix was also induced in the polymer in the presence of nonracemic amines. The effect of the achiral and chiral amines on the homo‐double helix formation was investigated by comparing the CD spectra of the polymer to those of its model dimer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 990–999     

4(R/S)-Guanidinylprolyl collagen peptides: on-resin synthesis, complexation with plasmid DNA, and the role of peptides in enhancement of transfection

Chimeric collagen peptides containing cationic 4(R/S)-guanidinylproline are synthesized by in situ amidinylation of 4(R/S)-aminoproline residues. These peptides uniquely enhance the transfection efficiency of GFP-encoded plasmid DNA (pRmHa3-GFP) into cells through efficient DNA condensation resulting from nonspecific electrostatic interactions of cationic guanidino groups and localize in subcytoplasmic organelles.     

A new and stereospecific synthesis of an inositol analogue: bis-homoinositol

The photooxygenation of trans-8-(acetyloxy)bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-dien-7-yl acetate afforded the bicyclic endoperoxide. Reduction of the endoperoxide with thiourea followed by acetylation gave the corresponding tetraacetate. The KMnO₄ oxidation of the tetraacetate followed by acetylation gave dihydroxytetraacetate Ammonolysis of tetraacetate afforded the bis-homoinositol, bicyclo[4.2.0]octane-2,3,4,5,7,8-hexol.     

Transition metal phosphonates with pyridyl-based phosphonic acids: synthesis,characterization and luminescence properties

Two transiton metal phosphonates, Cd₂[OOCC₅H₃NPO₃H]₂·H₂O (1) and Zn[OOCC₅H₄NPO₃]·H₂O (2), were synthesized by hydrothermal reactions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses show that both have a 3-D framework. In 1, the asymmetric [Cd–NO₅] octahedron is connected to the [P–CO₃] tetrahedron through corner sharing and two neighboring [Cd–NO₅] octahedra are bridged via a mutual plane [O1–O2–O3]. Compound 2 has a scales-like multilayer structure viewing from b and c. [Zn–O₄] tetrahedra linked [P–CO₃] tetrahedra through corner O sharing. The thermogravimetric properties and luminescence spectra of 1 and 2 were investigated. Compound 2 emitted a purple-blue light upon 323 nm excitation. Above 100 nm, red shifts in both compounds make them candidates for luminescent materials.     

Polyhedral structures with an odd number of vertices: nine-coordinate metal compounds

The stereochemistry of nine-coordinate transition-metal and rare-earth compounds has been studied by means of continuous shape measures (CShM) and related tools. Several reference nine-vertex polyhedra have been defined and their minimal distortion interconversion paths established. A theoretical shape map is presented in which the structures can be placed according to their distances in CShM space to the capped square antiprism and the tricapped trigonal prism, which are the most common polyhedra in nine-coordinate compounds. The structures of almost 2000 metal coordination spheres in molecular and extended solid-state compounds have been analyzed. Clear stereochemical trends can be established for subsets of these compounds grouped according to the nature of their ligands, which include families of compounds spread along the interconversion paths between the capped square antiprism and the capped cube, or between the tricapped trigonal prism and the tridiminished icosahedron.     

Fluorine... and pi...alkali metal interactions control in the stereoselective amide enolate alkylation with fluorinated oxazolidines (Fox) as a chiral auxiliary: an experimental and theoretical study

The alpha-alkylation of amide enolates by using a pseudo-C(2) symmetry trans 4-phenyl-2-trifluoromethyloxazolidine (trans-Fox) as a chiral auxiliary occurs with an extremely high diastereoselectivity (>99 % de). The origin of this excellent stereocontrol was investigated by an experimental and theoretical (DFT) study. With this trans chiral auxiliary, both F...metal and pi...metal interactions compete to give the same diastereomer through Re face alkylation of the enolate. A 5.5 kcal mol(-1) energy difference found between the Re face and the Si face attack transition states is consistent with the complete diastereoselectivity that has been experimentally achieved. On the other hand, in the case of the cis chiral auxiliary (cis-Fox) the competition between the F...metal and pi...metal interactions is unfavourable to the diastereoselectivity. In this case, the Re face and the Si face attack transition states were found to be nearly isoenergetic (0.3 kcal mol(-1) difference), which is in good agreement with the very low diastereoselectivity observed.