Conformations of Macrocyclic Peptides Sampled by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance: Models for Cell-Permeability


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Date

2023-12-20

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

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Abstract

The biological activities and pharmacological properties of peptides and peptide mimetics are determined by their conformational states. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the conformational landscape is crucial for rational drug design. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is the only method for structure determination in solution. However, it remains challenging to determine the structures of peptides using NMR because of very weak nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs), the semiquantitative nature of the rotating frame Overhauser effect (ROE), and the low number of NOEs/ROEs in N-methylated peptides. In this study, we introduce a new approach to investigating the structures of modified macrocyclic peptides. We utilize exact NOEs (eNOEs) in viscous solvent mixtures to replicate various cellular environments. eNOEs provide detailed structural information for highly dynamic modified peptides. Structures of high precision were obtained for cyclosporin A, with a backbone atom rmsd of 0.10 Å. Distinct conformational states in different environments were identified for omphalotin A (OmphA), a fungal nematotoxic and multiple backbone N-methylated macrocyclic peptides. A model for cell-permeation is presented for OmphA, based on its structures in polar, apolar, and mixed polarity solvents. During the transition from a polar to an apolar environment, OmphA undergoes a rearrangement of its H-bonding network, accompanied by a cis to trans isomerization of the ω torsion angle within a type VIa β-turn. We hypothesize that the kinetics of these conformational transitions play a crucial role in determining the membrane-permeation capabilities of OmphA.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Volume

145 (50)

Pages / Article No.

27601 - 27615

Publisher

American Chemical Society

Event

Edition / version

Methods

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Date collected

Date created

Subject

Chemical structure; Confirmation; Peptides and proteins; Simulated annealing; Solvents

Organisational unit

08838 - Künzler, Markus (Tit.-Prof.) check_circle

Notes

Funding

173097 - Molecular dissection of the chemical defense system of multicellular fungi against predation (SNF)

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