Ion transport,ion extraction,and ion binding by synthetic cyclic octapeptide

Cyclic octapeptide, cyclo[Gly-L-Lys(Z)-Sar-L-Pro]₂, (CGLSP2) was synthesized as an ionophore model. Its ion-transport ability through a chloroform membrane was investigated in connection with ion extractability (K_ex) and conformational properties. CGLSP2 transported the picrate salts of Ba²⁺ and Ca²⁺ efficiently. The K_ex sequences were Ba²⁺>Ca²⁺Mg²⁺ and K⁺>Rb⁺>Na⁺, showing good agreement with the selectivity in ion transport. In addition, cation-binding properties of CGLSP2 to alkali and alkaline earth metal ion were investigated in acetonitrile by CD and NMR spectroscopy. Titration curves obtained from CD data revealed three kinds of CGLSP2/cation complexes. The values of 1:1 complex-formation constants (K₁) decreased in the order Ba²⁺>Ca²⁺>Mg²⁺>Li⁺Na⁺K⁺.¹H- and¹³C-NMR data showed that free CGLSP2 exists in at least five different conformational states in acetonitrile. After the addition of equimolar amounts of Ba(ClO₄)₂, these conformations converged into a single C₂-symmetric conformation with all-trans peptide bonds.