ISSN:
0006-3525
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Small peptides initiate sexual conjugation in the yeast Saccharomyces cereuisiae and this phenomenon is an ideal paradigm for studying the mode of action of mammalian peptide hormones, 1H-nmr spectroscopy was used to examine the conformation of linear and cyclic analogues of the α-factor (WHWLQLKPGQPMY) in aqueous solution. In all cases peptides that exhibit nmr parameters expected for a type II β-turn have higher biological activities than those that do not appear to assume this conformation. Based on a simple model for the interaction of the pheromone with its receptor, we prepared fragments of the α-factor. Several of these fragments either antagonize or potentiate the activity of the α-factor. The latter represent the first example of peptide fragments that synergize the activity of the parent pheromone.
Additional Material:
3 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bip.360320407
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